Vein Treatments In Manhattan, NYC

What Are Spider Veins?

A spider vein, or telangiectasias, are small, thin, blood vessels visible beneath the skin. Spider veins appear most commonly on the face and legs and may look like a series of lines, tree branches, or a spider – or web – like shape with a dark center. It is estimated that they affect nearly half of adult women in the U.S.

What Are The Causes And Risks Of Spider Veins?

Spider veins develop from a backflow of blood in the veins. This condition, which results from damaged valves in the veins, is called “venous reflux.” As blood collects in these veins, their walls distend. This increases the size of the veins, and makes them visible under the surface of the skin. Risk factors for developing a spider vein include the following:

• Increasing age
• Hormonal changes
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Sun exposure
• Having a family history of spider veins is also a risk factor for developing them.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Spider Veins

Spider veins, which are diagnosed through a physical examination of the patient, an analysis of symptoms and, sometimes, diagnostic ultrasound, can be treated in a number of ways, all of which are minimally invasive.

Our doctors utilize the latest technology to treat spider veins without surgery or other procedures that require an extended hospital stay and long recovery. Laser ablation takes only 20 minutes in one to two sessions. The procedure is painless and does not require anesthesia. The laser aims carefully controlled pulses of narrow-wavelength light at the damaged veins. The veins absorb the light and heat up, then collapse and close. They are then gradually re-absorbed by the body. Normal activities can be resumed immediately.

Varicose veins are swollen, dark blue or purple blood vessels that you can see and feel beneath the skin. They often look like twisted cords, and usually appear on the calves, inside of the legs, and ankles. They form when the valves inside a vein weaken and allow some blood to flow backward. The vein weakens under the additional strain and balloons outward, raising the skin surface.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is the standard treatment for varicose veins. A special sclerosing solution is injected into the diseased vein, which then collapses and is gradually absorbed by the body. By the end of the treatment program, the veins are less visible on the skin surface. Sclerotherapy usually also relieves symptoms associated with enlarged veins and prevents further complications.