If we think of our body as a city, then veins are the roads that make sure everything gets to where it needs to be. But as vital as they are, highly visible veins can be a big insecurity for some people. Spider veins, in particular, are a common issue, showing up through the skin in unpleasant ways. Luckily, here at AFYA, we offer treatment to correct this issue.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are small vessels that twist and turn, becoming highly visible through the skin. They can be red, purple, or blue, and are commonly found on the legs and face.
What causes spider veins?
There are a number of different reasons you may be predisposed to or develop spider veins. These factors include:
- Occupations involving lots of standing
- Obesity
- Hormonal influences such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
- Heredity
- Use of birth control pills
- Postmenopausal hormonal replacements
- History of blood clots
- Conditions that increase pressure on the abdomen
- Trauma to skin
- Previous vein surgery
- Expose to UV rays
In other words, there are tons of reasons you may develop spider veins. Gender and age also factor into it. Spider veins develop more often in women than in men. They also become more frequent with age, and an estimated 30-60% of adults have them.
How are spider veins treated?
Here at AFYA, we often recommend spider vein injections, which sound scarier than it is. A saline solution is injected along the spider veins. These small injections cause the veins to swell, which stops blood flow to it. The body then naturally begins to breakdown the unwanted vessel.
The treatment only takes about 20 minutes, and sessions are spread about 2-4 weeks apart. Clients report feeling a tingling sensation during the treatment and mild bruising afterward.
It’s best to avoid strenuous activities for 40 hours after treatment. We sometimes recommend compression stockings depending on the severity of the veins. You will begin to see results within 2-4 weeks of treatment!
