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.

Anyone searching for vein treatments knows the embarrassment and aggravation that can be felt due to visible, unwanted spider and varicose veins. The harsh red, purple and blue lines can truly stand out whether they reside on the face or on the legs and can cause many individuals to become self conscious. What many individuals may not know is that both varicose and spider veins become present because of vein damage; which is why once they appear, they will never disappear. There are many other causes for their appearance as well, but the most important thing for vein sufferers to know is that now there is something you can do about it.

Both men and women suffer from unsightly veins, however women tend to be more prone to venous abnormalities; it has been estimated that over twenty-five per cent of adult females are currently suffering with some type of vein problem. Whether man or women, or whether suffering with spider or varicose veins, know that there are several treatments currently available that can help to diminish their appearance with lasting results. In order to choose the treatment that is right for you, it is first essential that you determine exactly which type of vein disorder you have.

The two main types of vein disorders are spider veins and varicose veins. Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are the small, thin red and purple veins that lie very close to the surface of the skin and are prevalent on both the face and the legs. These veins keep their color because they are still connected to the deeper venous system, however because they are damaged, they serve no purpose and therefore can be removed without altering normal vein function. There are several causes for these small, spider like veins to appear and some of the most common are hereditary, sun damage, trauma, certain medications and certain disease processes.

Varicose veins are much larger and deeper than spider veins, and more often than not tend to bulge from the surface of the skin. Varicose veins form due to valve malfunction within veins. When the valves become damaged they allow blood to reflux back into the vein which can cause the vein to swell. Over time, this swelling leads to vein expansion and the bulges gravitate towards the surface of the skin. The end result is the bluish, bulge-like veins that appear on the legs. There are several causes for varicose veins, the most prominent of which are heredity, weight, hormones, trauma, gender, prolonged standing or venous disorders.

Depending on the type of venous ailment you currently suffer with, there are several vein treatment types available to assist in removal.

Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is primarily used for spider veins and is the process of injecting a hypertonic saline or other concentrated solution into the damaged vessel. The solution irritates the vein which causes it to swell, effectively pushing out the blood and then shutting itself down. Several sessions may be needed in order to completely clear the veins.

Laser Vein Removal: Laser vein removal can be used to treat spider veins and some smaller varicose veins. The laser energy targets and cauterizes the veins, effectively cutting off the blood supply. Once blood is no longer supplied to the vein, it will be naturally absorbed and expelled by the body. Smaller varicose veins (those that are 3mm and less in diameter) can be treated with this method, but larger veins will require other treatment options.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Ambulatory phlebectomys are very beneficial for treating varicose veins. The process consists of making small incisions over the line of the vein through which the vein is then pulled out with a surgical hook. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and the incisions are so small they do not even require sutures.

EVLT: Endovenous laser treatments (EVLT) are varicose vein treatments that utilize an internal laser probe and Doppler imaging to cauterize the veins with the heat from the laser light. Sealing the veins will inhibit blood flow, causing the vein walls to collapse and be absorbed by the body.

Vein Stripping: The vein stripping treatment uses ligation to eliminate unwanted varicose veins. Generally the vein will be tied off at the upper end and then the remainder is surgically removed. This procedure is no longer widely used because it is highly invasive and requires significant recovery time. In addition, patients experience visible scarring.

Whether you are looking to treat unsightly spider veins or complication causing varicose veins, consult with your physician today and determine which treatment is right for your own particular needs.