What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are small blood veins that appear under the skin’s surface in little clusters. People tend to get them for several reasons: bearing too much weight on their legs, simply standing on their feet all day or having a genetic predisposition for them. Spider veins become visible because the capillaries burst causing the tiny veins to rise to the surface. Luckily, even though they are part of the venous system, they are not part of the circulatory system making it possible to correct the issue with laser therapy.
What are the benefits of Spider Vein Removal?
Because spider veins are usually painless, spider vein removal is performed for cosmetic reasons. People also choose to have it done because of the following:
- Very effective treatment
- Little to no downtime or recovery
- Immediate results
- Quick procedure
Is Spider Vein Removal Right for Me?
If you notice you have noticeable spider veins on your ankles, calves or thighs that make you feel self-conscious about exposing your legs, spider vein removal is an option for you to consider. While they may not cause any pain, they can limit your clothing options and make you feel insecure about your appearance.
Women often develop spider veins while pregnant with them disappearing after weight loss following childbirth. Laser treatments cannot be performed during pregnancy.
How is Spider Vein Removal performed?
Spider vein removal is performed using laser therapy. With laser therapy, a hand held piece penetrates the skin and the superficial blood vessels. The heat from the lasers causes the blood inside the veins to coagulate (clot) which causes the vein to collapse and seal itself off and prevent blood flow. With laser therapy, the right amount of energy can be distributed to the blood vessels without harming other tissues or vessels. The vessels disappear over a few weeks causing the blood to be rerouted through other vessels.
What is the recovery from Spider Vein Removal?
For the most part, there is no downtime with either spider vein removal treatment. Patients are urged to walk as much as possible but not participate in any strenuous exercise for the first few days following the treatment. Additionally, they are advised to stay out of the sun, as well as avoid hot tubs, baths and very hot showers for the first 24 hours.
How much does Spider Vein Removal cost in Pasadena, CA?
The cost of spider vein removal depends on several factors including the type of treatment, the extent of the area to be treated and the number of treatments. We can discuss the cost during a consultation. We will evaluate the area and recommend a plan for spider vein removal. Because treatment for spider veins is rarely medically necessary, health insurance plans do not provide coverage for this treatment; however, we offer financing through Alphaeon Credit, Prosper® Healthcare Lending and CareCredit® to make more procedures available to more patients.
What do I do next?
If you have spider veins and want to get rid of them, we recommend you schedule a consultation to evaluate your issue so that we can determine if spider vein removal is the best option for you. We can also provide you with a detailed plan and answer any questions you may have regarding the treatment.
