How You Can Get Rid of Varicose and Spider Veins

by Valerie Gladstone — February 6, 2008

Like wrinkles and cellulite, varicose and spider veins are among the things women fear most about aging. But there are ways to help prevent and erase them. The following information should shed some welcome light if you are among the millions of people affected.

Not all varicose and spider veins can be prevented. But some things can reduce your chances of getting new varicose and spider veins. These same things can help ease discomfort from the ones you already have.

Prevention

• Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.
• Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running.
• Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
• Do not cross your legs when sitting.
• Elevate your legs when resting as much as possible.
• Do not stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk every 30 minutes.
• Wear elastic support stockings and avoid tight clothing that constricts your waist, groin, or legs.
• Eat a low-salt diet rich in high-fiber foods. Eating fiber reduces the chances of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins. High-fiber foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, like bran. Eating too much salt can cause you to retain water or swell.

Treatments

Sclerotherapy -- If they're large enough to be threaded with a tiny needle, sclerotherapy--the injection of various solutions into the blood vessels--is the best option. The solution irritates the vein's lining and the resulting tissue inflammation causes the blood vessel to collapse and fade. This treatment is very effective if done the right way. Most patients can expect a 50% to 90% improvement. Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia and can be done in the doctor's office. The treatment takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of veins. Often both legs can be done in a single session.

Laser surgery -- New technology in laser treatments can effectively treat spider veins in the legs. Laser surgery sends very strong bursts of light onto the vein. This can make the vein slowly fade and disappear. Lasers are very direct and accurate, so the proper laser controlled by a skilled doctor will usually only damage the area being treated. Most skin types and colors can be safely treated with lasers.

Laser surgery is more appealing to some patients because it does not use needles or incisions. Still, when the laser hits the skin, the patient feels a heat sensation that can be quite painful. Cooling helps reduce the pain. Laser treatments last for 15 to 20 minutes. Depending on the severity of the veins, two to five treatments are generally needed to remove spider veins in the legs. Patients can return to normal activity right after treatment, just as with sclerotherapy. For spider veins larger than 3mm, laser therapy is not very practical.

Endovenous techniques (radiofrequency and laser) -- These methods for treating the deeper varicose veins of the legs (the saphenous veins) have been a huge breakthrough. They have replaced surgery for the vast majority of patients with severe varicose veins. This technique is not very invasive and can be done in a doctor's office.

The doctor puts a very small tube called a catheter into the vein. Once inside, the catheter sends out radiofrequency or laser energy that shrinks and seals the vein wall. Healthy veins around the closed vein restore the normal flow of blood. As this happens, symptoms from the varicose vein improve. Veins on the surface of the skin that are connected to the treated varicose vein will also usually shrink after treatment.

When to Have Treatment

The best time to have treatments for spider veins is in the winter, when your legs are covered and more easily protected from the sun. Tanned skin reduces visibility of the veins during the procedures and increases the risk of post-treatment hyperpigmentation. Avoid sclerotherapy immediately before or during menstruation because of heightened sensitivity.

Cost

You can expect to pay $350 to $1000 for all three procedures.

For more information, contact: The National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662