Is Spider Vein Treatment Right for You?

You may remember spider veins crawling up your grandmother’s legs, arms or hands. When you see them on yourself, the appearance may bother you.

The tiny red, blue or purple lines just under the skin are actually enlarged capillaries and veins that have become more prominent and superficial than normal. They appear more commonly on women than on men, but treatment is equally effective for both.

Many factors contribute to spider vein development, including:

• Heredity
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal changes
• Weight gain
• Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time

Unlike during your grandmother’s generation, women today have a quick, easy, pain-free option to clear spider veins. The simple procedure, performed during an office visit, collapses the veins, returning skin to its original spider vein-free appearance.

The Penn Experience

What to expect before, during and after spider vein treatment

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate you to make sure you have a healthy vein system and to note if you also have varicose veins—the blue, enlarged, sometimes painful veins that appear on the legs. Spider vein treatment also can work for minor varicose veins; however, more serious varicose veins require surgery with a vascular surgeon.

During spider vein treatment, your surgeon will inject a chemical solution into the vein, which quickly and often permanently collapses the vein. The needle used is very fine, and most patients call the procedure painless.

A typical treatment takes 30 minutes. Depending on the extent of the spider veins, you may require several treatments. Though the specific veins won’t return, it’s possible for other spider veins to appear in the same area.

Bruising from the treatment may last for up to three months. Compression bandages immediately after the procedure help reduce swelling, and your care team will give you individualized aftercare instructions to help hasten your recovery.

Spider vein treatment risks

Risks of spider vein treatment are rare and mild when they do occur. If the chemical agent comes in contact with nearby skin, it can cause a temporary change in skin color. Your surgeon and care team will check in with you throughout the healing process and are always available to answer any of your concerns.