Your dermatologist knows how to get rid of those embarrassing spider veins.

Perhaps the last time you were shaving your legs you noticed that there were some little twisted blue or purple lines running down your legs. If you were curious as to what they are, perhaps you Googled it and found out that they were spider veins. In an effort to try to get rid of them you may have even tried some of the DIY treatment options that you found such as self-massage or exercise; however, no home remedy is going to get rid of spider veins. This is a job for our Mt. Arlington, Morristown, and Bridgewater, New Jersey, dermatologists.

What causes spider veins?

There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing these veins. Heredity can certain play a role (thanks, parents!) but sometimes they can be a warning of a more serious issue with the veins. Spider veins should not be confused with varicose veins even though they may develop together. Spider veins are much smaller and more superficial. Unfortunately, spider veins are something that most people will get as they get older.

Other risk factors include,

• Being overweight
• Sitting or standing for long periods of time
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal fluctuations (e.g. menopause)

How can a dermatologist get rid of spider veins?

As you may have already learned, there really isn’t anything you can do at home to get rid of spider veins once they are there. Luckily, our skin doctors offer more effective strategies for eliminating these unsightly veins for good.

One of the most effective options for getting rid of spider veins is a simple non-surgical treatment known as sclerotherapy. This procedure only takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area, and it involves administering injections into the veins. When this special salt solution is injected into the veins it causes a scar to form, which causes the body to redirect blood to other healthier veins. Over time, this vein will collapse and be reabsorbed by the body.

After sclerotherapy, it can take a couple of weeks or even a couple of months for the vein to completely fade away. You may also require more than one sclerotherapy session.

If you are dealing with spider veins in Mt. Arlington, Morristown, and Bridgewater, New Jersey, Affiliated Dermatologists is here to help. Call us today to let us know that you are interested in getting sclerotherapy.