Dr. Jane Yoo, a board-certified dermatologist, explains spider veins and how to treat them. Sclerotherapy uses injected agents like polidocanol to collapse veins, while lasers work better for smaller or facial veins. Larger varicose veins often need combined treatments, compression stockings afterward, and typically show improvement within weeks.
I'm Dr. Jane Yoo, board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. Today, let's talk about spider veins, those small visible veins that often appear on the legs or the face. While they aren't harmful, they can be frustrating cosmetically. Sclerotherapy is one of the most well-known treatments for spider veins. It involves injecting a special solution, often polidocanol or Sotradecanol, into the veins. This solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to collapse and close off. So over time, the treated vein is resorbed by the body, and the appearance of the spider vein fades. While results aren't immediate, most patients see significant improvement after a few treatments. Alternatively, laser treatments are a great option, particularly for smaller veins or sensitive areas like the face. Lasers use focused light energy to target and heat the blood vessels, causing causing them to eventually shrink and fade. There's no need for injections, and most patients find the treatment comfortable. Laser treatment is especially effective for vascular lesions, which can target specific blood vessels without affecting the surrounding skin. For larger varicose veins, a combination of sclerotherapy and laser therapy might be used for optimal results. After sclerotherapy, wearing compression stockings can help to speed up recovery and improve outcomes. Both treatments are minimally invasive with little downtime, making them great choices to reduce spider veins and improve your skin's appearance.
