Spider Vein Removal

An estimated half of all adult women have some form of spider veins, which are clusters of visible red, purple, or blue veins usually apparent on the ankles, calves, and thighs. Spider veins can appear at any time, but are most frequently reported in adult women between the ages of 30 and 60. In addition to being unsightly, spider veins are frequently associated with symptoms such as aching, burning, swelling, and night cramps.

Although the exact causes of spider veins aren't known, it is thought that factors include prolonged sitting or standing, pregnancy and other hormonal changes, weight gain, aging, and heredity. While women get spider veins more frequently, they also occur in men, although their appearance in men is usually camouflaged by the presence of body hair in the affected areas. Contrary to popular opinion, spider veins are not broken veins, but are intact veins that have simply become dilated or stretched.

While the fine veins that make up spider vein clusters are connected to the venous system, they are not essential, and consequently, they can be safely removed by targeting a laser light at the spider veins, bypassing the skin.

The hemoglobin absorbs the laser light, which causes the vessels to coagulate and be absorbed harmlessly into the body.