Did you know about 60% of people develop spider veins? These small blue, purple, or red veins appear close to the surface of your skin and can make you self-conscious about the way your legs look.
At New Canaan Podiatry in New Canaan, Connecticut, board-certified podiatrist Jennifer Tauber, DPM, and our team understand the embarrassment spider veins can cause. The good news is treatment options exist to eradicate these unsightly lines.
Most treatments for spider veins involve harsh injections. But at New Canaan Podiatry, we have a better way: noninvasive laser ablation!
Here’s what you need to know about spider veins and how to treat them!
Why am I struggling with spider veins?
What we call spider veins are actually small capillaries that show up near the surface of your skin as red, blue, or purple lines. These tiny capillaries have one-way valves that regulate blood flow and keep it moving toward your heart.
Spider veins result when these valves don’t work right. When this happens, blood gets trapped inside the capillary, causing it to swell. Since these tiny veins are just under your skin, they show through the surface.
While men and women can both develop spider veins, women develop them more often than men. Some of the risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing spider veins include:
- Being female
- Having chronic constipation
- A family history of spider veins
- Having a job that requires a lot of standing (e.g., elementary teacher)
- Pregnancy and hormonal fluctuation
- Being overweight or obese
- Sun damage to your skin
Spider veins can also appear if you have a history of blood clots or after trauma to your leg, ankle, or foot.
What treatments exist for spider veins?
Different treatment options exist for spider veins, and the right one for you is the one that helps your symptoms. Not all spider veins require medical intervention. Dr. Tauber meets with you to discuss your symptoms and create a customized plan for your spider vein goals.
Some patients with mild spider veins benefit from the use of compression stockings and lifestyle changes, like elevating your feet throughout the day. For patients with more severe spider veins, Dr. Tauber may recommend laser ablation with the Fontana endovenous laser system.
This non-invasive treatment uses laser energy to heat the vein using Fontana’s long-pulse Nd: YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser. The heat generated by the laser damages the vein, causing them to seal shut.
Your blood naturally re-routes to the healthy veins in your legs or feet, and over time the damaged veins are reabsorbed and disposed of with other cellular waste through your body’s natural healing and waste removal processes.
The result? Your treated spider veins fade away leaving you with clear skin you won’t need to keep covered this spring or summer!
Get rid of your unsightly spider veins with the help of Dr. Tauber and the team at New Canaan Podiatry. Contact our New Canaan, Connecticut, office at 203-263-9052 or book an appointment online at your convenience!