Vein Reduction

Enhancing your appearance with vein treatment

If you sometimes avoid showing your legs because you have spider veins — those small clusters of red veins that appear on the thighs, calves and ankles — you are not alone. It’s estimated that at least half of all women are bothered by this common cosmetic problem.

If you would like to eliminate your spider veins and improve your appearance, your plastic surgeon can help. Today there are very effective, safe and relatively painless methods available for eradicating spider veins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are spider veins?

In some women, spider veins – those small clusters of red, blue, or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves, and ankles – become noticeable at a young age. For others, the veins may not become obvious until much later.

What causes spider veins?

A number of factors may contribute to the development of spider veins in the legs, including:

  • Heredity
  • Hormonal shifts
  • Occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing
  • Pregnancy
  • Weight fluctuation

Am I a candidate for this procedure?

Spider vein treatment is a good option if you:

  • Are bothered by spider veins anywhere on your body
  • Are committed to following your plastic surgeon’s prescribed course of treatment

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

The decision to have spider vein treatment is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of spider vein treatment are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks.

The risks include:

  • Swelling and bruising
  • Change in skin sensation
  • Infection
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Ulceration
  • Scarring
  • Persistent pain

What is the recovery process like?

During your recovery from spider vein treatment, you may be instructed to wear support hose to help your legs heal.

The treated sites will appear bruised and you may feel some cramping in your legs for the first day or two after treatment. This discomfort is temporary and usually doesn’t require prescription medication.

Although every patient heals at a different rate, most are back to normal activities quickly.