Spider Veins: More than Just Skin Deep…

They are variously described as thin and faint vessels that sometimes form a spider web pattern; a cosmetic issue that doesn’t require medical treatment, and a smaller version of varicose veins involving the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries. All may be true to some extent, but spider veins, like more prominent varicose veins, may also be a sign of underlying disease in the veins. 

There’s a Cure but Be Wary of What Lies Below…

You are most likely to see spider veins on the legs and sometimes on the face, either blue or red in color. We can rid you of spider veins, thanks to our recently purchased Cutera xeo Laser, which works well in removing them and reticular veins just beneath the skin’s surface. It tightens and rejuvenates skin and can be used on other parts of the body aside from the legs. The FDA-approved Cutera xeo is optimized to treat a wide range of common nonsurgical cosmetic concerns. (See Leg-Skin Rejuvenation page.)

“Treatment of spider veins and reticular veins is enhanced by our Cutera Laser, the latest modality in the Vein Center,” reports Dr. Alexander Salerno, administrative head of Salerno Medical Associates (SMA).

Spider veins are a byproduct of vein insufficiency and may serve as a surface indicator to diagnose underlying venous disease. Veins carry blood back to the heart and valves keep it from reversing direction, but valves may leak or blood clots may stem the flow back to the heart.

Spider veins aren’t a medical problem in themselves, and they may also be caused by minor injury and exposure to the sun. This condition may also be exacerbated when people are on their feet much of the day, especially on hardwood and concrete floors. Family history is also a risk factor, but its connection to vein insufficiency compels us to conduct a full evaluation.

As one of the signature signs of vein insufficiency, it means they can be lifesavers or at least life-prolongers.

Because spider veins and varicose veins are a result of blood backing up due to vein insufficiency, it may be traced to valves in the veins being weakened and damaged. Instead of blood returning to the heart it may be gradually pooling in leg veins where spider veins are dwarfed by bulging varicose veins.

Vein insufficiency is undertreated and undiagnosed, but there are an estimated 3 million new cases each year in United States. It is often the cause of tired, aching and swollen legs.

—We have the diagnostic tools to screen, identify and treat vascular disease and vein insufficiency, as well as related conditions like varicose veins and spider veins.—

Our board-certified physicians monitor and treat varicose veins and vein insufficiency, using laser catheters in what is a 10-minute office procedure.  We treat and cure vein insufficiency and over the course of our first four years have treated well over 3,000 veins as of the end of 2018. These services are offered on weekends, evenings and weekdays

Note: Radiofrequency occlusion for varicose and spider veins is a procedure where a small catheter is inserted into the vein. This results in heating the vein wall, which collapses and seals shut. It is an outpatient procedure, usually under local anesthesia.

Call us at (973) 672-8573 or make an appointment online.