Spider Veins
Offered in East Orange and Newark, NJ
Spider Veins: More than Just Skin Deep
Spider veins may seem like a minor cosmetic issue but can indicate underlying vascular problems. Spider veins, similar to their larger counterparts – varicose veins, are dilated blood vessels that appear just beneath the skin’s surface. They’re often red or blue and spread like tiny spider webs or tree branches.
They are described as thin, faint vessels that sometimes form a spider web pattern. This cosmetic issue doesn’t require medical treatment, and a smaller version of varicose veins involves the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries. All may be true to some extent, but spider veins, like more prominent varicose veins, may also be a sign of underlying disease in the veins.
There’s a Cure, but Be Wary of What Lies Below
You are most likely to see spider veins on the legs and sometimes on the face, either blue or red in color. We can rid you of spider veins thanks to our recently purchased Cutera xeo Laser, which removes them and reticular veins beneath the skin’s surface. It tightens and rejuvenates skin and can be used on other parts of the body aside from the legs. The FDA-approved Cutera xeo is optimized to treat a wide range of common nonsurgical cosmetic concerns. (See Leg-Skin Rejuvenation page.)
We employ state-of-the-art spider vein treatment methods at Newark Vein and Vascular Center. These include laser therapy and sclerotherapy for treating small and larger spider veins. Our treatments aim at eliminating the unsightly veins and mitigating the risk of developing deeper vein issues like deep vein thrombosis.
Getting to the Bottom of Spider Veins
Our expert team at Newark Vein and Vascular Center is skilled at diagnosing and treating spider veins. We conduct thorough examinations to understand why spider veins occur in each patient. This involves assessing your medical history and lifestyle habits and conducting an ultrasound if necessary.
“Treatment of spider veins and reticular veins is enhanced by our Cutera Laser, the latest modality in the Vein Center,” reports Dr. Alexander Salerno, administrative head of Salerno Medical Associates (SMA).
Causes of Spider Veins
Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are small dilated blood vessels that appear close to the skin’s surface. These superficial veins, which usually appear on the legs and face, form when the tiny valves inside the blood vessels weaken, causing blood to accumulate and pressure to build up, leading to bulging, visible veins. This condition is often associated with heredity, prolonged standing or sitting, hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause or from birth control pills, and obesity.
Understanding the underlying causes of spider veins and small varicose veins will help get the right treatment plans. Here’s a breakdown of the primary causes of developing varicose veins and new spider veins:
- Heredity: If your parents or grandparents had spider veins, you’re more likely to have them too. Genetics plays a big role in their development.
- Prolonged standing or sitting: Jobs that require you to stand or sit for extended periods, such as teachers, nurses, or office workers, increase the pressure on the veins in your lower body, contributing to the formation of spider veins.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal shifts during pregnancy, menopause, or birth control pills can lead to the development of these veins. During pregnancy, the increased volume of blood can cause veins to enlarge, and hormonal changes can affect vein walls.
- Obesity: Extra weight puts more pressure on your veins, which can lead to the formation of spider veins.
Understanding these causes can help in the prevention and management of spider veins. It’s always recommended to consult a vascular specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment if you notice the appearance of spider veins.
Benefits of Regular Spider Vein Treatment
Spider veins aren’t a medical problem in themselves, and they may also be caused by minor injury and exposure to the sun. This condition may also be exacerbated when people are on their feet much of the day, especially on hardwood and concrete floors. Family history is also a risk factor, but its connection to vein insufficiency compels us to conduct a full evaluation.
Regular spider vein treatment not only improves the appearance of your skin but also helps prevent complications such as blood clots and skin ulcers. It can alleviate symptoms like an achy or heavy feeling in your legs, itching around the vein, and leg swelling.
Preventing Spider and Varicose Veins
While some risk factors for developing spider and varicose veins are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Regular exercise helps improve blood flow in your legs and strengthens your vein walls. Wearing compression stockings can also support blood flow and prevent new spider veins from forming.
Because spider and varicose veins result from blood backing up due to vein insufficiency, it may be traced to valves in the veins being weakened and damaged. Instead of blood returning to the heart, it may gradually pool in leg veins, where spider veins are dwarfed by large varicose veins.
Varicose Vein Treatment at Newark Vein and Vascular Center
Spider and varicose veins occur for various reasons, which means not every case can be treated the same way. We offer a range of treatments for larger varicose veins, from conservative management with compression stockings to minimally invasive procedures like laser treatments. We aim to effectively relieve symptoms and prevent complications such as leg ulcers, blood clots, and deep vein thrombosis.
Vein insufficiency is undertreated and undiagnosed, but there are an estimated 3 million new cases each year in the United States. It is often the cause of tiredness, aching, and swollen legs. A blood clot can cause a range of issues with varicose and spider veins that need specialized treatment options. We work with our patients to determine the exact cause of the blood flow issues and treat large varicose veins and spider veins before they become more significant.
—We have the diagnostic tools to screen, identify, and treat vascular disease, vein insufficiency, and related conditions like varicose and spider veins.—
The Newark Vein and Vascular Center Difference
We believe in providing comprehensive vein care at Newark Vein and Vascular Center. From the initial consultation to post-treatment follow-up, our team will be with you every step of the way. We are committed to helping our patients achieve healthier veins and a better quality of life.
Our board-certified physicians monitor and treat varicose veins and vein insufficiency using laser catheters in a 10-minute office procedure. We treat and cure vein insufficiency and, over our first four years, have treated well over 3,000 veins as of the end of 2018. These services are offered on weekends, evenings and weekdays
Trust Newark Vein and Vascular Center With Your Spider Vein Treatment
Our team consists of experienced vascular specialists who are well-versed in diagnosing and treating spider veins. We use cutting-edge technology and personalized treatment plans to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.
At Newark Vein and Vascular Center, we’re not just treating symptoms but improving lives. Don’t let developing spider veins keep you from living your life to the fullest. Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step towards healthier, more beautiful legs.
Note: Radiofrequency occlusion for varicose and spider veins is a procedure where a small catheter is inserted into the vein. This results in heating the vein wall, which collapses and seals shut. It is an outpatient procedure, usually under local anesthesia.
