What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels that appear at the surface of the skin. They are often red, blue, or purple and are named so because of the shape of the discoloration that appears on the body. Sometimes spider veins are a sign of a larger medical condition called venous insufficiency, but more often than not they are harmless. Spider veins can be unsightly often keeping people from wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses as they most often appear on the legs. They can also appear in other areas of the body such as the face, abdomen, and ankles.

 Treatment

The good news is that spider veins can be treated. BodyBrite offers two types of treatment for spider veins: Sclerotherapy and intense pulse light therapy (IPL). Sclerotherapy is when a sclerosing agent is injected into the veins with a tiny needle causing scarring of the vein. When the vein is scarred it shrinks in size and collapses. IPL uses light to destroy the pigment of the spider veins without harming the surrounding tissues. Both treatments are simple and effective in reducing or eliminating spider veins.