FYI Cosmetics

Telangiectasias, more commonly known as spider veins, are the small thin clusters of blue, red or purple veins that reside close to the surface of the skin and commonly appear on the legs and face. While spider veins are connected to the deep venous system, these surface veins are of no benefit to those who have them. There are many causes of telangiectasias, the most common of which are heredity, hormones, weight gain, trauma, prolonged standing and certain medications. Spider veins can come in several forms, they can appear as a true spider shape—dark in the center surrounded by smaller vessels radiating out from it, as tiny branch like shapes or as simple linear lines. Symptoms associated with spider veins range from aching and burning to swelling and cramping; these symptoms are most often experienced at night.

Because telangiectasias are so common among individuals (it is estimated that over 50% of females have some form of spider veins) several treatments have been developed to help combat them. Before undergoing treatment however, it is important to know there is no cure for spider veins and there is no way to prevent new ones from appearing—these treatments are specifically designed to treat the already existing spider veins. However, by treating existing spider veins patients will have assistance with both the visible signs of telangiectasias as well as the symptoms associated with it. This will allow patients to relieve symptoms and experience spider vein free skin.

For spider veins, removal can be done in one of three ways: with sclerotherapy, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments or laser vein removal treatments. Some surgical vein procedures may also eliminate spider veins however this is secondary to the removal of a larger varicose or feeder vein and would not be performed to treat telangiectasias alone.

Sclerotherapy – Sclerotherapy is a popular method that is used to help eliminate spider veins. This treatment involves a very small needle being injected superficially into the spider vein followed by a small amount of an irritant solution. The solution results in an internal swelling of the vein, which causes it to shut itself down; once shut down the body eliminates it naturally. Several treatments can be required to remove all present veins. Side effects can include redness swelling, bruising, scabs, scarring and skin ulcerations in the treatment area as well as allergic reaction to treatment solutions.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – IPL treatments for spider veins utilize pulsed laser light to reach and treat problem veins. The laser energy penetrates though the outer layers of skin to target the veins below. Pulsed light technology reaches and treats veins at multiple levels; the heat from the light cauterizes veins so that they may be cut off from the blood supply. Once cut off from the blood supply, it will be naturally absorbed and eradicated by the body.

Laser Spider Vein Removal – Laser spider vein removal is similar to IPL but differs in that true lasers utilize one continuous light wavelength that penetrates the skin at one specific depth. The light intensity light energy used by the laser can be accurately directed toward the problem veins. The heated vein is effectively cauterized which cuts off its blood supply. With no blood to supply the vein, the body then breaks down the vessel and eradicates it naturally through the lymphatic system.

Before undergoing telangiectasias or spider vein removal, be sure to do adequate research in order to determine the right course of treatment for you.

By the time we reach adulthood, most of us are familiar with the tiny spider like veins that can appear on the face and legs. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are small veins that are blue, purple or red in color and reside close to the surface of the skin. There are many reasons as to why spider veins form—hormones, heredity, weight gain, trauma, certain medications and prolonged standing can all have an effect. And while these veins still remain connected to the deeper venous system, once they appear they serve no specific function or purpose. Because of this, many men and women search for ways to remove them. Knowing why your spider veins appear and finding the right treatment to remove them will help you to achieve a clearer, more uniform complexion that lasts.

Because there are so many individuals that currently have spider veins (it is estimated that close to 50% of adult females suffer with some degree of spider veins) several different treatments have been developed to combat them. Spider veins are most commonly treated in one of three ways: sclerotherapy, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments or laser vein removal treatments. In addition to these procedures there are also surgical vein procedures that can eliminate spider veins, however spider vein removal is secondary to the removal of larger varicose or feeder veins therefore these treatments would not be performed for spider veins alone.

Sclerotherapy – Sclerotherapy is a popular treatment for the removal of spider veins, it involves the injection of an irritant solution into the vein via a small needle. The needle is inserted superficially into the spider vein, and the solution administered is designed to create internal swelling in the vein. The swelling effectively causes the vein to shut itself down; once the vein is shut down, the body will naturally eliminate it. Patients may require several sclerotherapy treatments in order to remove all veins, but after a treatment series, patients can see fantastic results.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – Intense pulsed light or IPL treatments are designed to eliminate unwanted spider veins through the use of pulsed laser light. During the treatment, the laser light penetrates through the outer layers of skin and reaches the dermis below at several different wavelength depths. The energy from the laser light converts into heat, and this heat cauterizes the blood flow to the spider veins, effectively cutting them off from the deeper venous system. Once the veins are deprived of blood, they will shrivel up and be naturally absorbed and eradicated by the body.

Laser Spider Vein Removal – Laser spider vein removal treatments are similar to intense pulsed light treatments; however instead of targeting the dermis layers of skin with multiple laser wavelengths, laser treatment utilize one continuous light wavelength. While both treatment options are effective, patients who undergo true laser treatments often see results faster because the laser energy, when concentrated in one specific wavelength, is stronger. Other than the wavelength difference, laser treatments are similar to IPL in that the heat from the laser energy cuts off the blood supply to the veins so that they can be naturally expelled by the body.

Before deciding on a specific spider vein removal treatment, be sure to do adequate research on all—this will help you to determine which the best is for you. Once you find the perfect treatment, you’ll experience a smooth, clear complexion that lasts.

Red, purple and blue superficial veins that appear on the legs and face are for many not aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Often known as spider and varicose veins that can appear after pregnancy, weight gain, trauma, prolonged standing or in some instances can be genetic. These colored lines appear as a result of damaged vessels. Women have a higher tendency toward these venous abnormalities than men, with an estimated 25% or more of females suffer with some type of spider or varicose vein problem. Fortunately several methods are available to lessen and eliminate this issue.

Before we can eliminate the symptoms, we must first ask why the veins will initially appear. When appearing on the legs these superficial veins appear as a result of body weight, pressure and gravity. This pressure caused the internal portion of the veins to become damaged. The result is an overflowing of blood into the damaged areas causing a swelling which in turn produces spider or even the larger varicose veins.

Determining the type of venous problem will assist in choosing the proper course to remove the veins. Spider veins, or telangiectasias as they are sometimes known, are small thin red or purplish veins, usually close to the surface that appear on the face and legs. Varicose veins are larger deeper superficial veins that tend to bulge from the surface of the skin. While spider veins may have some symptoms associated with their appearance, it is generally the varicose veins that cause issues for the person. Symptoms that can be associated with the larger veins include; achiness, burning, throbbing, cramping, heaviness, itching, and skin ulceration (usually from vascular disease)

Depending on the type of veins, several treatment types are available to assist in vein removal. Sclerotherapy is primarily used for spider veins however it can also be very effective on smaller varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is the process of injecting an irritating solution into the damaged vessel. The response of the vein to this solution causes swelling which pushes out the blood thereby causing the vein to close itself down. Once closed down the body naturally breaks down and absorbs the vein. Several sessions may be required to clear an area. Costs can average $200-$400 per treatment.

Laser surgery and intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) can treat both spider and varicose veins. These treatments can accurately remove veins by directing highly concentrated light energy at the veins to infiltrate and destroy them. Veins slowly fade over a 4-6 week period of time. Some varicose veins can be treated with laser therapy, but this is usually restricted to veins under 3 millimeters in diameter. Costs can range from $200-500 per session.

Surgical procedures for leg vein removal include stripping, ligation, ambulatory phlebectomy and EVLT (endovenous laser treatment). An ambulatory phlebectomy is the process of making small incisions over the line of the vein and pulling it out through those incisions under local anesthesia. A surgical ligation involves making an incision over the vein and tying off the vein to cut off the blood supply to the damaged vessel. The stripping of a vein combines ligation and removal to eliminate the vein by tying off the upper end of the vein and pulling out the remainder. Often these procedures are done under general anesthetic in an outpatient or hospital setting. EVLT is done under local anesthesia. Under Doppler imaging the laser is inserted into the vein then slowly with drawn, heating and sealing the vein closed. Complications can be severe and scarring is almost always a definite.

Common side effects often associated with vein removal procedures can include hyper-pigmentation, telangectatic matting (more tiny veins appear in an area), infection, bleeding, reoccurrence of veins, blood clots, skin ulcers, scarring, severe inflammation and allergic reaction.
Consult a qualified physician to determine which treatment is right for your own particular needs.