As the name suggests, spider veins are thin blue lines that appear on the legs, usually on the lower leg, that resemble a spider's web. The symptoms of spider veins can be both cosmetic and physical. Most of the time, patients are unaware of any physical symptoms they may experience, although they are occurring.
The compassionate team at STL Vein and Cosmetics works hard to prevent spider veins by treating the underlying causes. Dr. Eric Mai and staff offer state-of-the-art treatment programs or a more traditional approach, depending on your needs. If you're experiencing pain or discomfort from spider veins, we can treat them. You should know the importance of treating spider veins and keeping your vascular health in check.
A spider vein is a small damaged vein that usually appears on the surface of the legs or face but can appear anywhere on your body. Usually, they don’t cause pain or harm. Regardless, some people may decide to treat them cosmetically.
Spider veins may appear as fine lines, webs, or branches and are blue, purple, or red. At STL Vein & Cosmetics, we can remove or reduce their appearance with a variety of treatments.
When the valves in the veins stop working correctly, spider veins can appear on the legs.
Your blood constantly travels back to your heart through your veins. A one-way valve keeps blood from flowing backward once blood passes through it.
When this valve weakens or becomes damaged, blood may have trouble flowing in the right direction, and it can start pooling inside the vein. Eventually, this causes a bulge in the vein that branches off, causing spider veins.
Sometimes tiny blood vessels burst on the face, causing spider veins. This can happen from increased pressure or sun damage.
Promoting proper circulation ensures that your heart remains healthy and the rest of your body remains free of spider veins. The first sign of spider vein symptoms should be taken seriously, even if they don't cause discomfort. This will help you avoid more severe issues from occurring in the future.
Sclerotherapy uses a very fine needle to administer a series of injections to treat venous insufficiency safely and effectively. If you’re looking for a quick-acting, painless treatment, sclerotherapy may be right for you.
Microphlebectomy is an invasive procedure that numbs the surrounding tissue and allows for vein removal through tiny incisions. Dr. Mai doesn’t perform this procedure because sclerotherapy is less invasive and produces better results without leaving scars.
Sclerotherapy is a painless and comfortable procedure for treating problem veins, even though many patients are nervous about the idea of needles. Dr. Mai employs ultrasonic imaging during your first appointment to pinpoint the location of spider veins to create your individualized treatment accordingly.
Veins that have been treated with these injections collapse after your body harmlessly absorbs the injected solution. Injecting the solution immediately eliminates spider veins, allowing your blood flow to be safely redirected to healthier veins.
Sclerotherapy usually requires three to six sessions to achieve optimal results. Our in-person assessment can help us determine the best treatment strategy for you, including the number of appointments required to treat your venous insufficiency. Since we tailor our care to meet the individual needs of every patient, we approach every case differently.
Please let us know if you'd like to learn more about minimally invasive options that Dr. Mai offers for veins in your leg. Contact us today to schedule a sclerotherapy consultation. Our Creve Coeur or South County offices will be happy to assist you.
