Modern spider vein treatment is safe, effective, and nearly painless. There’s no downtime in most cases, so you can get back to your regular life right away.
It’s still a medical procedure, though, and there are a few things you need to know to have the best possible experience. This guide will explain what happens after spider vein treatment, including how you’ll feel and what you can do to recover faster.
You’ll also get a sense of what kind of results to expect and what the future looks like after treatment.
What Happens After Spider Vein Treatment?
Several procedures are available to treat spider veins. The most popular and effective include:
- Sclerotherapy: An injected solution shrinks the vein and causes it to seal shut. The blood reroutes through other veins, and the spider veins fade away.
- VeinWave: Targeted microwave energy destroys spider veins, even in difficult-to-treat areas like the face.
- Laser therapy: Laser energy gently heats the vein from the skin’s surface, causing it to break down and disappear.
You’ll probably be able to resume your normal daily activities immediately after treatment. Most people report minimal to no discomfort, though some report a slight burning sensation or mild cramping at the treatment site. If you do experience discomfort, elevating your legs can help.
Expect to be comfortable enough to walk around easily. Your vein specialist will probably recommend that you do as much walking as possible to encourage blood flow. You’ll want to avoid particularly strenuous activities, which could open up the treated veins.
What’s the Time Frame for Recovery?
Expect to keep living your life as normal after spider vein treatment, provided you follow your vein specialist’s recommendations. You’ll likely be able to do most things that you normally do, with the exception of intense athletic activity.
The First Week
The first few days after treatment will look and feel a lot like day one. It’s normal to notice some bruising, redness, or swelling around the treatment site. These effects tend to disappear within one or two weeks, and over-the-counter medication is usually enough to alleviate any discomfort.
Plan to avoid:
- Activities like running, heavy lifting, and anything else that puts intense strain on the legs
- Prolonged periods of sitting or standing
- Spas and hot tubs, which can cause veins to expand instead of shrinking
The First Six Weeks
As bruising and redness fade, you’ll start to notice a change in how the treated area looks. You might see the treated veins get darker at first — that’s normal, especially with sclerotherapy. It just means that the treatment worked and the vein is on its way to disappearing.
In time, treated veins start to lighten. They’ll still be visible, especially in the first month or so, but you may start to feel more comfortable wearing clothes that expose the treated area.
The first month is usually when most people resume typical exercise routines.
Aftercare Tips for Spider Vein Removal
Minimal aftercare is involved following sclerotherapy, VeinWave, and laser treatment for spider veins. Your vein specialist will give you personalized recommendations to help you stay comfortable and get the best results possible.
Meanwhile, follow these common tips:
- Avoid direct sun exposure for a few days, especially if you’ve had laser treatment or sclerotherapy.
- Wear gradient compression stockings for the first few weeks after treatment. These stockings provide gentle pressure in the lower legs, encouraging steady blood flow.
- Attend all follow-up appointments and checkups with your vein specialist.
And remember, avoid strenuous activity until your doctor gives you the go-ahead.
When Will You See Results?
The results of spider vein treatment vary from person to person.
Some treated veins completely disappear. You can’t see them in a mirror or up close. You might see other veins on close inspection, but they’re light enough that you feel OK showing them in public.
A few of your treated veins might not respond to treatment. In one study, 77% of treated veins completely closed and disappeared.
Most people see the final results of treatment within eight weeks. At that point, you’ll be able to sit down with your vein specialist and talk about next steps.
Will You Need Additional Treatments?
It’s common to need multiple treatments before spider veins completely go away. Follow-up sessions can address veins that didn’t respond to the first treatment, as well as veins that weren’t part of the first treatment.
Vein treatment happens on a very small scale, closing one tiny vein at a time, and each visible tangle involves multiple individual veins. Most people need several sessions to treat all of their problematic veins.
How Long Do Results Last?
Spider veins that respond to treatment don’t come back. However, it’s possible for new spider veins to develop either in the same area or elsewhere in the body. Some new veins might grow around the original treated area, making it look like the initial spider veins re-opened.
You can always ask your vein specialist about treatment for those new veins.
Preventing Recurring Spider Veins
The best way to prevent new spider veins is to keep your circulation healthy. There are some risk factors you can’t avoid, like family history or being born female.
That said, you can adopt certain lifestyle habits to reduce your risk. For example:
- Control your weight as much as possible. Extra weight puts pressure on the leg veins.
- Don’t wear high heels or tight clothing, especially around the waist.
- Exercise regularly, focusing on low-impact activities like cycling or swimming.
- Wear gradient compression stockings to encourage healthy blood flow.
Getting Started With Vein Treatment
It’s gratifying to reach the part of spider vein surgery or therapy where you see results. The first step is to talk with a qualified vein specialist.
Medicus Vein Care has been treating spider veins since 2005. Our specialists draw from multiple treatment techniques to develop a customized plan for each patient, making sure you get the best results possible.
For more information, contact Medicus today to book your free consultation.
