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Spider Veins

Spider Vein Therapy: Restore Your Healthy, Even Skin


Discovering your first spider veins can be an unpleasant surprise. Perhaps you see them when getting ready for a Zoom call or an important event. Maybe you notice spider veins when shaving your legs before heading out to dinner in Calabasas or while applying sunscreen before a day on the beach in Malibu. For many of us, spider veins are a sign that we are not as young as we used to be. While not dangerous, spider veins can interfere with your confidence. You want your skin to be a reflection of who you are, and spider veins can make you look older than you feel.

Fortunately, spider veins are treatable. Dr. Michelle Reyes offers many spider vein treatment options at The Med Spot in Woodland Hills. These vein treatments are highly effective and non-invasive. You can get your treatment done over a long lunch and then head back to work, though we know taking it easy can encourage the best results.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are fine red, blue, or purple veins visible through the skin’s surface. These veins get their name because they often radiate out from one point, giving the appearance of a spider web (or of the spider itself). They are sometimes called by their scientific name, telangiectasias.

Spider veins are closely related to varicose veins. The main distinction between them is size. Spider veins tend to be small, while varicose veins are larger. Because they are larger, varicose veins often bulge out, while spider veins don’t. Varicose veins are also more likely to be painful. Because the blood that pools in varicose veins can clot, varicose veins are associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a dangerous condition and can cause ongoing pain in the legs. In some cases, the blood clot can travel to the heart and lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be deadly. However, spider veins do not pose any health-related risk. They are purely cosmetic and treatable.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Veins carry blood back to the heart, but when they’re damaged or worn, they become less effective. Medically, this is described as venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency causes blood to accumulate in the veins, making them swell and become more visible.

Spider veins are common, but they are more common in people who:

  • Have relatives with spider veins or varicose veins
  • Sit or stand for long periods
  • Engage in high-impact exercise
  • Are obese
  • Are pregnant
  • Are currently using hormone therapy treatment
  • Are above a certain age
  • Experience vein damage for multiple reasons (e.g., high blood pressure)

If you have one or more of the above conditions, it is hard to prevent spider veins. Genetics plays a large role in spider vein development, so you are at the highest risk for spider veins if people in your family (particularly your parents) had them.

Although obesity and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to spider and varicose veins, exercise can also be a factor. Exercises like body building that increase excessive stress on the legs can contribute to the development of spider veins. Similarly, exercises that put you in a position to restrict blood flow to the legs, such as prolonged sitting, can increase your risk.

The best approach to dealing with spider veins is trying to stay healthy and monitoring the appearance of your skin. Once you see spider veins, you may consider spider vein therapy.

Where Do Spider Veins Appear?

Technically, spider veins can appear anywhere on the body. However, they occur most often on the legs and face.

On the legs, spider veins are usually related to damage in the veins. Our veins also have backflow valves that encourage the return flow of blood to the heart. However, these valves can wear out over time, especially when people sit or stand for most of the day. High blood pressure, rosacea, and pregnancy can also encourage the development of spider veins.

On the face, spider veins are more often linked to high blood pressure and sun exposure, though they can also be linked to aging, rosacea, and pregnancy.

Are Spider Veins Dangerous?

Spider veins are not dangerous, generally speaking. Usually, people treat spider veins for cosmetic reasons. Spider vein therapy can help you feel comfortable and confident in your skin.

Spider veins are sometimes mistaken for varicose veins. Varicose veins can be a sign that you have potentially dangerous medical conditions that might need to be treated or, at the very least, monitored. If you notice abnormal veins, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor about your health. A healthcare professional can assist you in identifying whether you have spider veins or varicose veins and direct you to appropriate treatment. When speaking with your doctor, ask about potential cardiovascular conditions — such as high blood pressure — that might be linked to your spider veins. This is even more important if you have varicose veins.

Spider Vein Therapy Options

Covering spider veins can be hard, especially if you have fair skin. Spider veins can show through cosmetic concealer or foundation that blends with your skin. When living in parts of sunny Southern California (like Hidden Hills), it is easy to enjoy an active lifestyle outdoors. It is a lot harder to enjoy it if your face is coated with makeup in an effort to cover spider veins. Everyone wants to be able to put on a little bit of sunscreen and go out looking fresh and natural.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of spider veins on your face, legs, or elsewhere, you don’t have to live with them. At The Med Spot in Woodland Hills, Dr. Michelle Reyes offers several options for eliminating your spider veins. Here are the details of these treatments so you can see how they work. To figure out which one might be best for you, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Michelle Reyes.

V-Beam Perfecta™

V-Beam Perfecta is a pulsed dye laser (PDL) that emits light of a precise frequency, or color — in this case, orangey-yellow.

This color of light penetrates your skin and tissue but is absorbed by the spider veins. This breaks down even small and unsightly veins, eliminating them. With adjustable treatment spot size, we can speed treatment while targeting your spider veins. The laser pulse can feel like the snap of a rubber band against your skin. Your skin might also feel a little warm. You will likely notice some redness after treatment, similar to a day in the Southern California sun.

This treatment works best for people with fair to medium skin who have red or purple spider veins, which sit closer to the surface. It takes 3-5 treatments to achieve maximum results, but you’ll likely notice some improvement after the first treatment.

GentleMax Pro™

The GentleMax Pro is a different type of laser for spider vein therapy. It uses light in the red or infrared range to target veins. This different color helps GentleMax Pro™ to penetrate deeper into the skin. It also makes it more effective for people with darker skin.

Otherwise, the GentleMax Pro™ works similar to the V-Beam. The veins absorb the light from the laser, which damages them. The light mostly passes through your other tissues without damaging them. After 3-5 treatments, you’ll see maximum improvement in your spider veins.

Asclera™ Sclerotherapy

Asclera is a different approach to eliminating spider veins. Like other sclerotherapy treatments, Asclera is a compounded prescription we inject into your veins. The medication causes the vein to break down and collapse. Then the body absorbs the broken vessel in order to aid in reducing the appearance of the veins.

The solution includes an anesthetic, so you’ll feel little to no discomfort related to the injection. Wearing compression stockings for a week after injection improves the results. Best results are achieved after 3-6 sessions. It is highly effective on all skin types and works on both spider veins and varicose veins.

Why Choose The Med Spot for Spider Vein Therapy?

At The Med Spot, we are concerned not just about your appearance but also your overall well-being. Dr. Michelle Reyes has been practicing in the West Hills area since 1997. In that time, she has expanded her practice at the request of patients who love her gentle, caring, and effective approach to healthy age management and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Dr. Michelle Reyes is dedicated to helping people achieve their best versions of themselves, including their healthiest, happiest, and most confident.

Dr. Michelle Reyes has assembled a team of caring and dedicated professionals whose skills help you to enjoy great results with gentle treatment.

To talk to Dr. Michelle Reyes about what spider vein therapy might be best for you, please call 818-201-2830 or use our contact form to request a personal consultation at The Med Spot in Woodland Hills.

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