Spider Veins Treatment Options: Can They Go Away On Their Own?

Spider veins are a common vein problem. They are tiny, thread-like, reddish-blue or purple lines that show up on the feet or face. They appear like thin branches or webs of blood vessels.¹

They may not be painful but may affect your appearance. Many people try to cover their unsightly spider veins with makeup. But various minimally invasive and almost painless spider vein treatments are available to get rid of them.²

Spider Veins vs. Varicose Veins

Spider veins, also known as telangiectasia and reticular veins, differ from varicose veins. Varicose veins are bulging, twisted, bluish-purple veins. They commonly appear on the thighs, legs, and feet. They are large, rope-like veins compared to tiny, thread-like spider veins. Varicose veins may cause painful symptoms like swelling, itching, or throbbing in your legs.³

Spider veins are smaller, closer to the skin surface, and less troublesome than varicose veins. They are red, blue, or purple lines seen on the side of the nose, on the cheeks, or the legs, ankles, or feet. They can easily be seen under the skin but don’t bulge like varicose veins.⁴

Causes of Spider Veins

Doctors can’t pinpoint the exact cause of spider veins. They may occur due to increased pressure in the legs. Spider veins may appear on the face when tiny blood vessels get damaged due to injury, increased pressure, or sun exposure.⁵ They may also occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in your body.⁶

These risk factors can make you prone to spider veins:⁷

Genetics: If your parents have spider veins, you’re more likely to get spider veins.
Age: Spider veins are more common in older women. They occur in 41% of women above 50 years.⁸ With age, your veins can get weaker and are more likely to get damaged.
Weight gain: Excess body weight can increase the pressure on your legs and cause spider veins.
Pregnancy: The added weight and hormonal changes during pregnancy can weaken your veins and lead to spider veins.
Lifestyle: Sitting or standing in the same position for too long can increase the pressure in your legs and lead to spider veins.
Hormone therapy: The hormone estrogen in birth control medicine or menopause treatments can weaken your veins. They can increase your chances of developing spider veins.
Damage from sun exposure: The sun’s ultraviolet light can damage your facial veins and form spider veins.

Symptoms of Spider Veins

Most people with spider veins don’t show any symptoms. But you may have symptoms like pain, burning, or itching.⁹ You may also have heaviness or tiredness in the legs. Some may complain about throbbing, cramping, or discomfort. Symptoms may worsen if you sit or stand for long periods. You may have more symptoms due to hormonal changes due to pregnancy or menopause.¹⁰

Can Spider Veins Go Away on Their Own?

Sometimes, spider veins caused by hormonal changes or excess weight during pregnancy may be temporary. They may disappear after childbirth.¹¹ But typically, they don’t go away on their own.

Spider veins are usually painless. Most people get rid of them for cosmetic reasons. But they can worsen over time and lead to painful symptoms if left untreated.¹²

So, as soon as you notice them, it’s best to treat your spider veins to prevent them from becoming painful.

Spider Veins Treatments

Spider veins may not be as problematic as varicose veins. But you may want to remove them for aesthetic reasons or to prevent painful symptoms. Your vein specialist may recommend these spider vein treatments:

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive spider vein treatment. It is a simple procedure that takes up to an hour.

It involves the injection of a chemical called a sclerosant into the problematic vein. The sclerosant enters the vein and irritates the vein walls. It causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The blood automatically reroutes into healthier surrounding veins. The closed vein slowly disappears and is reabsorbed by the body.

Sclerotherapy has a quick recovery time. You can return to your daily activities almost immediately after treatment.¹³

Laser treatment

It is a completely non-invasive treatment. It is used to treat small spider veins near the skin’s surface. It involves the application of a strong beam of laser light over the area with the spider veins. The laser energy causes the damaged veins to close and dry up, allowing blood to flow through healthier veins.

Laser treatment may cause some discoloration or skin darkening in the treated area. But it will go away in a few months.¹⁴

Ohmic thermolysis

Ohmic thermolysis, also called radiofrequency thermocoagulation, is an advanced and effective treatment to remove spider veins. It is popularly known as VeinWave treatment. It uses a machine with a needle to deliver high-frequency micro-bursts of targeted heat energy into the damaged vein. The heat energy causes the vein walls to collapse and close. The blood starts flowing through healthy veins, and the damaged spider veins slowly fade away.¹⁵

It is often used to improve the outcomes of other procedures like sclerotherapy.¹⁶

How to Prevent Spider Veins

Spider veins take 3 to 6 weeks to disappear after treatment.¹⁷ They don’t return after treatment. But if you’re not careful, you may develop new spider veins in the treated area. Here are some tips to prevent new spider veins:¹⁸

Wear gradient compression stockings to prevent swelling and improve blood circulation
Avoid prolonged sitting or standing
Walk regularly
Avoid prolonged sun exposure, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen
Maintain a healthy weight
Elevate your legs above the level of your heart to relieve the pressure on your legs
Visit a qualified vein specialist for check-ups or follow-ups after treatment

Find a Qualified Vein Specialist Near You

Spider veins can easily be treated using minimally invasive procedures. These treatments can help eliminate problematic veins and restore your self-confidence to show off your legs. But first, you’ll need to visit a vein specialist.

Medicus Vein Care is an established, patient-driven practice, dedicated to excellent care. If you’re feeling discomfort every day, call us! Meet with our vein specialist for a free consultation to understand why you have symptoms and what we can do to get you back on your feet again, comfortably.

SOURCES:

OASH: “ Varicose veins and spider veins.”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “ Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins.”
Cleveland Clinic: “ Varicose Veins.”
OASH: “ Varicose veins and spider veins.”
American Academy of Dermatology: “ Leg Veins: Why They Appear and How Dermatologists Treat Them.”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “ Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins.”
OASH: “ Varicose veins and spider veins.”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “ Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins.”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “ Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins.”
OASH: “ Varicose veins and spider veins.”
OASH: “ Varicose veins and spider veins.”
American Academy of Dermatology: “ Leg Veins: Why They Appear and How Dermatologists Treat Them.”
Cleveland Clinic: “ Sclerotherapy.”
American Academy of Dermatology: “ Leg Veins: Why They Appear and How Dermatologists Treat Them.”
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “ Treatment for telangiectasias and reticular veins.”
Phlebology: “ Adjuvant radiofrequency thermocoagulation improves the outcome of liquid sclerotherapy in the treatment of spider veins of the leg: A pilot study.”
American Academy of Dermatology: “ Leg Veins: Why They Appear and How Dermatologists Treat Them.”
Better Health Channel: “ Varicose veins and spider veins.”

Table of Content