Various techniques such as electrosurgery, microinjection or mini-laser will fade the red or purple blood vessels and smaller capillaries on the face. All procedures are available through our practice.

Spider Veins

Leg spider veins, known medically as telangiectasia, are dilated skin capillaries. While they may be red (arterial capillaries) or blue (venous capillaries), most people have both types. The microinjection technique (sclerotherapy) consists of instilling a solution into these tiny capillaries using very small needles. This irritates the inner lining of the capillaries so they cease to carry blood, and the body slowly replaces them with scar tissue without harming the circulation. Several injections may be needed for a specific area of telangiectasia. The rare pure venous type is more difficult to abolish. Some brown freckling or streaking may appear after injection which gradually fades, but a small amount may be permanent.

The goal is to produce about 75-80 percent improvement. Pain during injection is reported by patients as very slight. Fading of spider veins is a slow process and maximum improvement may require months. Generally, injections with salt or sugar solutions produce superior and quicker results than the laser for leg veins. Blue veins on the face may respond better to laser treatment.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins can occur when blood flows in the wrong direction due to problems with the valves (which normally keep the blood moving up towards the heart) or from vein wall stretching. Heredity, hormones or thigh/leg injury can cause these abnormalities. Leg fatigue, aching, cramping, burning or pain can occur. The size of the veins does not correlate with the problem severity.

Precautions

You should probably not have this procedure if you have a history of phlebitis (vein clots or infections), easy infections, heparin or aspirin allergy, scarring after treatment, easy bruising, bleeding or clotting disorders, pregnancy or are taking high dose hormones.

Results

Results of the treatment cannot be guaranteed, but most patients are very pleased with the cosmetic improvement. Approximately 10 percent of patients who undergo sclerotherapy have poor results, meaning the veins have not significantly improved after six treatments.