Spider Veins

Spider veins are primarily a cosmetic concern, but they can make anyone self-conscious about their legs when in shorts or a swimsuit. We use sclerotherapy to remove spider veins.

During sclerotherapy, we use a very small needle to inject a sclerosing solution into the targeted area. This sounds painful, but the needle is so tiny that patients equate the feeling to that of a mosquito bite. The sclerosing solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell and the blood within it to clot. Once the vein has closed itself off it turns into scar tissue and the body eventually absorbs it. The procedure is fast and easy, but it usually requires two to four treatments to remove the veins you want to target.

Since spider veins are thought to be caused mainly by a combination of genetics, hormonal changes, and sun exposure, many of the preventive measures that can help with varicose veins don’t really work with spider veins. For instance, standing for long periods of time or crossing your legs when sitting can contribute to varicose veins, and maybe spider veins. But how can they then show up on your face? The same can be said of wearing compression stockings, exercise, and wearing tight clothing. While all of those actions are helpful for varicose veins, the jury is out on their effect preventing spider veins.

While sclerotherapy will likely get rid of your current batch of spider veins, that’s not to say you will not develop new ones down the road. After all, the genetics or hormonal changes that caused them will likely still be present. So, the treated results are permanent, but that does not mean the treatment is preventative for those that have not yet formed.

Spider veins are usually harmless and asymptomatic but rarely patients may report that clusters of spider veins causing pain. Swelling and pain are typically the domain of larger varicose veins. For most people, spider veins are simply visually unappealing.

The best time to address your spider veins is during the Northern Michigan winter. That way your legs will be spider vein-free come our great spring and summer weather. Plus, we usually recommend our patients wear compression hose for a week or two after their procedure, and these will be less conspicuous under winter clothing.

VeinGogh is a relatively new alternative method for treating smaller spider veins. It uses microburst technology to deliver controlled heat energy directly into the targeted vein. This heat damages the vein wall, just as the sclerosant agent does in sclerotherapy, causing it to collapse and close off. You will see an immediate, dramatic improvement in the visibility of the targeted spider veins. They will continue to improve over the next weeks as the veins are absorbed by the body.

VeinGogh uses a small stylus that is similar in size to a pencil. The stylus has a hair-like fiber that is inserted just beneath the surface of the skin and into the targeted vein. Once Dr. Heeringa has positioned the VeinGogh stylus, it delivers a microburst of heat energy down into the vein. This damages the vein wall and collapses the vein.

VeinGogh is excellent for smaller spider veins, particularly for spider veins of the face and nose. The procedure takes just a few minutes and numerous veins can be treated.

We use VeinGogh for patients with very small spider veins and thread-like telangiectasias that would be more difficult to accurately address with sclerotherapy or laser ablation.

Most VeinGogh sessions at Northern Michigan Vein Specialists take 20-30 minutes depending on the number and extent of veins treated.

Since the procedure uses a hair-thin probe inserted through the surface skin into the vessel, patients may feel a slight pinch. The sensation is like a single strand of hair being pulled.

You will see an immediate dramatic improvement in the visibility of the targeted spider veins. They will continue to improve over the next weeks as the veins are absorbed by the body.

No. Sclerotherapy and VeinGogh treatments (see below) at Northern Michigan Vein Specialists are easy, safe procedures that instantly improve the appearance of your unwanted spider veins. Sclerotherapy has been around since the 1930s and is very effective and safe. VeinGogh is new but is a safe option for very small spider veins.

Varicose vein treatment is usually covered by insurance, as their removal is usually for medical/ or safety reasons. Spider veins are often seen as cosmetic nuisances, and their removal is typically not covered by insurance. Check with your insurance provider prior to treatment to be sure.