Spider veins are small, wispy veins that have become visible as red or purple discoloration. They look similar to spindly spider legs, hence the name. They are quite visible on the body and are usually found in the legs. They don’t bulge out from the skin like varicose veins, but many people want to lessen their appearance.
Risk factors for spider veins include obesity, high blood pressure, pregnancy, and family history. Spider veins do not typically cause serious health issues, but most people feel more confident after the spider veins are gone.
Spider Veins vs. Varicose Veins
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two different issues. Varicose veins tend to be larger and may look like thick ropes. Spider veins are more wispy and have a leggy circular shape like a spider. At our practice, we treat spider veins. Varicose veins tend to be a more complex health issue and require different treatments.
To find out if our board-certified dermatologist and his team can treat your leg or face veins, just give us a call! Dr. Steven Greene is personally committed to helping his patients feel more confident in their skin. He will describe all of the treatment options capable of achieving your goals.
How to Get Rid of Spider Veins
When it comes to getting rid of your spider veins, the most effective option is laser treatment in most cases. This procedure treats the veins at their source, and does not try to treat them from the surface like a cream or lotion.
“What about exercise and diet changes?”
Lifestyle changes may stop the spider veins from getting worse or may stop new ones from forming. Certain causes you cannot change, such as family history and getting older.
Being overweight, being too sedentary, and a poor diet may contribute to spider veins. Increasing your exercise can improve blood circulation in your veins, which can help push the blood through that has collected in the veins. Exercise also helps lower blood pressure which is a cause of these visible veins. Also, try keeping your legs elevated daily to encourage blood flow.
A diet change – such as including more anti-inflammatory foods – may stop the development of spider veins. Try including anti-inflammatory foods such as celery, broccoli, and blueberries in your diet. Foods high in sodium should also be avoided as they will cause bloating and further inflate a vein problem. Instead, eating foods high in potassium such as almonds, lentils, potatoes, and leafy greens can help.
Compression Socks
Compression socks apply pressure to your legs which causes the body to circulate blood more effectively. Compression socks can be purchased at most pharmacies. It’s possible the compression stockings will prevent the veins from getting worse.
Laser and Light Treatments
Laser and light treatments at our state-of-the-art dermatology practice are a good way to eliminate spider veins. Using bursts of high-energy light, the laser causes the vein to collapse and eventually disappear completely. This is harmless to your health and minimally invasive. The laser energy does not damage or in any way affect the surface of your skin, only the targeted veins.
Dr. Greene uses several laser and light devices to treat leg and face veins. There are no needles involved with these methods, which makes them a great alternative to sclerotherapy. The results are effective and the treatment is painless!
Arrange a Consultation to Learn More
If you are searching for effective leg vein treatment in Seattle, WA, please call our experienced team at 206-402-4797. We are passionate about achieving beautiful results for our patients. During your consultation at our practice, we help you decide if a laser or light treatment will be effective for your spider veins.