Spider veins

"Spider veins are very fine, bluish or reddish veins in the uppermost layer of the skin that often spread like a fan. Although most spider veins are harmless, they are often perceived as a cosmetic problem by those affected. Unfortunately, they do not disappear on their own. Fortunately, treatment methods have been significantly expanded and improved in recent years. They enable very good aesthetic results without scars and with minimal treatment time."

C. Bettina Rümmelein, M.D., Specialist in Dermatology & Venereology
C. Bettina Rümmelein, M.D., Specialist in Dermatology & Venereology
Symptoms

Spider veins symptoms

Spider veins are fine, bluish or reddish networks that appear mainly on the outer thighs, above the knees, on the inner sides of the lower legs or around the ankles. Despite their usually harmless nature, they are often associated with higher-grade varicose veins and can be a first sign of serious venous diseases, such as deeper vascular dilatation, varicosis or chronic venous insufficiency. An accurate diagnosis is therefore essential. For this purpose, we refer you to a colleague who specializes in internal medicine and performs medical tests such as Doppler and color-coded duplex sonography.


Photos and videos

Causes

Spider veins causes

There are various risk factors that contribute to the development of spider veins. Often, increased pressure on the veins is the trigger, which can be caused by obesity, blood stasis or pregnancy. Women are more often affected by these annoying spots on the legs than men, as they are more prone to the formation and enlargement of spider veins due to their connective tissue, which is loosened by the female sex hormone estrogen. Other risk factors include nicotine and alcohol consumption as well as a lifestyle with a lack of exercise.

Treatment

Spider veins treatment

Various methods are available for the treatment of spider veins:

Laser and light treatments

  • The Clarity Laser is an effective method of removing spider veins without leaving scars. The light from the laser irreversibly damages the vein walls of the skin veins, allowing them to be broken down by the body. With the help of a long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser, spider veins can be successfully treated without injections and without the need for bandages or compression stockings. Depending on the severity and extent of your personal findings, please allow for several sessions. After treatment, you must avoid sun exposure for 6 weeks and sauna and steam baths for 1 week. Sport can be resumed immediately. Unfortunately, the result can only be assessed after complete resorption after a few weeks.

Injections

  • The classic Sclerotherapy is another option for removing spider veins, which we also offer in our practice and which is preferable for thicker spider veins. The spider veins are punctured with a thin needle and a sclerosing agent is injected, which damages the vein wall and causes the body to break down the affected skin veins. Compression stockings should be worn for some time after the sclerotherapy. You can have these measured in our practice and we will order custom-made stockings for you. In colors such as black or dark blue, they look like chic, opaque tights, only putting them on in the morning is a little tedious, but the effort for beautiful legs is definitely worth it.

The choice of procedure depends on the appearance and size of the spider veins. The cost varies depending on the number of sessions required, which must be discussed in each individual case. Before any treatment, it should be clarified whether there are more significant vein problems.

Often, a combination of both methods provides the best results. For the prevention of new spider veins and in the post-treatment phase, compression stockings can be useful to reduce the pressure of gravity on the leg veins. We will be happy to advise you in detail about these and other measures.

Frequently asked questions

Spider Veins Frequently Asked Questions

Are spider veins the same as varicose veins?

Spider veins are basically a cosmetic nuisance. They occur in connection with varicose veins. In this case, the varicose veins must always be treated first by a specialist in phlebology. Often spider veins occur independently of venous diseases and have no medical significance. Since they have no medical value, the treatment is not covered by health insurance. Spider veins are superficial fine vessels usually 1mm in diameter, often bluish, but sometimes reddish. They often form space-like growths with numerous branches.

Can spider veins be prevented?

Spider veins are caused by a predisposition. However, about 70% of people over 70 are affected and many young people also have spider veins. Sedentary or standing professions have a favorable effect, i.e. those who are prone to spider veins should walk around sufficiently in between if possible, also wearing compression stockings can have a preventive effect. If you are prone to water retention, please contact your family doctor. Pregnancy is a particularly stressful situation for the system.

How many treatments are needed to get rid of spider veins?

Please expect one to three treatments. Unfortunately, even with a successful session, 100% of spider veins rarely disappear. A usual success rate is 70%, but the treatments can be repeated safely.

How long does the process take?

The treatment itself usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. In the lucky case, a controlled inflammation occurs within the vessels so that they become clogged. The clotted blood must then be reabsorbed and removed by the body. This process takes about 6 weeks. Only a certain number of vessels can be treated in one treatment session. The remaining vessels can be treated after one to two weeks. A check-up of the treated vessels is ideally done after four to six weeks. It can then be decided whether further sessions are needed.

How long does recovery take after spider vein treatment?

After spider vein treatment you can immediately resume all your usual activities, pain is extremely rare. However, you must not go out in the sun for six weeks and sauna, warm baths and massages can limit the effectiveness of the treatment during the first week.
Further information

Further information

Publications
Sclerotherapy for varices: matting as a frequent complication.
Koceva, I./Rümmelein, B. / Aesthetic Dermatology skinMAG, Issue 3/21: 24-25.
Publications
Spider veins of the legs: sclerotherapy vs. laser
Guggisberg, E./Rümmelein, B. / Face & Body 1/2021: 26-31
Publications
Current laser therapy of spider veins
Rümmelein, B. / Aesthetic dermatology skinMAG, issue 02/19: 21-25
Publications
Treatment of spider veins with laser.
Rümmelein, B. / SZD 4/2015
Article
Treat spider veins in autumn
Dr. med. C. Bettina Rümmelein
Article
Spider veins: the world is unfair
Dr. med. (I) Ikonija Koceva

Further information

Publications
Sclerotherapy for varices: matting as a frequent complication.
Koceva, I./Rümmelein, B. / Aesthetic Dermatology skinMAG, Issue 3/21: 24-25.
Publications
Spider veins of the legs: sclerotherapy vs. laser
Guggisberg, E./Rümmelein, B. / Face & Body 1/2021: 26-31
Publications
Current laser therapy of spider veins
Rümmelein, B. / Aesthetic dermatology skinMAG, issue 02/19: 21-25
Publications
Treatment of spider veins with laser.
Rümmelein, B. / SZD 4/2015
Article
Treat spider veins in autumn
Dr. med. C. Bettina Rümmelein
Article
Spider veins: the world is unfair
Dr. med. (I) Ikonija Koceva