Leg and Spider Vein Treatments

Leg veins and spider veins are visible veins, and the treatment choices run from injections to lasers to a small outpatient procedure. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says spider veins are formed by the dilation of a small group of blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin, and that although they can appear anywhere on the body, they are most commonly found on the face and legs. The society adds that they usually pose no health hazard, but may produce a dull aching in the legs after prolonged standing and indicate more severe venous disease.

How veins go wrong and what treats them

The American Academy of Dermatology explains that varicose and spider veins are damaged veins: tiny one-way valves inside the veins weaken, some blood flows backward and accumulates, and with continual pressure the vein walls weaken and bulge. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says varicose veins are abnormally swollen or enlarged blood vessels caused by a weakening in the vein's wall, and that they can be harmful to health because they may be associated with an inflamed vein, a clot in the vein, or open sores from inadequate tissue oxygen and fluid retention.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that in some women, spider veins, the small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves and ankles, become noticeable at a young age.

On treatment, the American Academy of Dermatology calls sclerotherapy the most common treatment for leg veins, and says dermatologists use it to treat spider and small varicose veins. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery considers sclerotherapy the treatment of choice for spider leg veins, calls it minimally invasive, and says it can improve related symptoms such as aching, swelling, burning and night cramps. For facial spider veins the story differs: the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says laser and light therapy is considered the treatment of choice there, and is only rarely used on leg veins.

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery also describes ambulatory phlebectomy as an outpatient procedure developed by dermatologic surgeons that removes superficial veins through small, slit-like incisions in the skin.

Dermatologist methods and spider vein options

• How Dermatologists Treat Leg Veins: the methods dermatologists use, from self-care and compression to injections and lasers, and the exam that comes first.
• Spider Vein Treatment Options: the options for spider veins and what to ask about each.

For the dermatologic surgery society's own pages, start with its overview of vein treatments, then read its pages on sclerotherapy for spider veins and sclerotherapy for varicose veins.

Before the vein consultation

Read the dermatologist guide first, then the spider vein options. Before booking, ask a licensed clinician what type of vein you have, which treatment suits it, how many visits to plan for, and how the season you start in fits around recovery.

A licensed clinician decides what suits your veins.