Spider Vein Removal: What to Expect Before & After Treatment

If you've noticed a cluster of blood vessels just under your skin that resemble a tree branch or spider web, you may have spider veins. Found on the legs, thighs, feet and face, spider veins usually aren’t cause for alarm, although they can sometimes indicate an underlying medical condition, such as blood clots.¹

If you’re bothered by the appearance of spider veins, though, read on to learn more about spider vein removal options for fading and getting rid of spider veins.

How Do You Get Spider Veins?²

Spider veins can be hereditary, and women are more likely to get spider veins than men. If you spend a lot of time in the sun or you sit or stand for a considerable length of time, you might be at a higher risk of getting spider veins. Age, pregnancy and obesity can also increase your risk of developing spider veins.

Will My Spider Veins Go Away?

Spider veins usually don’t go away on their own.² If you want to remove your spider veins, a good place to start is by scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist who can examine the spider veins and discuss potential treatments spider vein removal.

Spider Vein Treatment and Removal Options

The right treatment option to remove spider veins may depend on the location and extent of the veins being treated.

For instance, laser therapy may be more effective at treating veins on the face and feet, while sclerotherapy is more suited to spider veins on the legs.

Below is additional information about some of the most popular options to get rid of spider veins:³

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the most popular and effective treatments for removing spider veins. During sclerotherapy, the dermatologist injects medicine into the damaged vein, causing the vein walls to stick together and close.

Laser treatment therapy

Laser treatment therapy for spider vein removal delivers intense bursts of light directly inside the vein. These high energy bursts cause the spider veins to fade and disappear.

Endovenous laser therapy (EVLT)

Endovenous laser therapy uses a small laser fiber that’s inserted directly into the site of a diseased vein. Once positioned, the laser fiber delivers a high amount of heat. This thermal energy weakens the collagen in the vein wall, causing the vein to collapse and seal shut. Local anesthesia may be used to numb the treated area.

How Spider Vein Removal Works

Before spider vein treatment, your provider will evaluate your spider veins and, if they are located in your legs, may order an ultrasound to check blood flow in your leg veins. The day before a leg treatment, your provider may advise you to avoid shaving or applying lotion to your legs.

During spider vein treatment, you may not experience anything more than mild discomfort, if that. Spider vein removal is an outpatient procedure that takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.³

After spider vein treatment, most people immediately notice a reduction in their spider veins and see them disappear within three to six weeks. Your provider may give you compression stockings to wear on your legs for up to three weeks to minimize bruising and maintain compression on the treated veins. It’s also important to avoid direct sun exposure to the treated area for a few weeks to help prevent dark spots from developing.⁴

Spider Vein Treatment Recovery

There is usually no downtime after spider vein removal treatment, and most patients are able to return to work and routine activities the next day.⁴ You’ll likely have a follow-up appointment about a month after your procedure.

How Long Does Spider Vein Removal Last?

In many cases, the results of spider vein treatment are permanent, although new spider veins may develop in other areas.² In addition, some veins may require additional treatments. For instance, laser treatments to get rid of spider veins often involve multiple sessions.

Tips to Prevent Spider Veins

Most self-care tips focus on improving circulation, which can help prevent spider veins from forming. Tips include¹:

• Getting plenty of exercise
• Losing weight
• Elevating your legs
• Avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time
• Avoiding long soaks in hot baths

Many people prone to spider veins wear compression stockings,¹ which help apply steady pressure to ease swelling in the lower legs and help reduce the risk of developing blood clots. Your dermatologist can check that your compression stockings are the right size and are applying the correct amount of pressure.

CareCredit Financing for Spider Vein Removal

The CareCredit credit card is an easy way to pay for the cost of spider vein treatments like sclerotherapy, as well as ultrasounds, compression stockings and other related expenses at locations in the CareCredit network. Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a dermatologist near you that accepts CareCredit.