Many people are familiar with the appearance of spider veins on their legs or other areas. They can be unsightly and can sometimes even cause discomfort. For people in Jacksonville Beach, FL, who have many spider veins or do not like the way they look, it can be helpful to seek out treatments that minimize their appearance.
At Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville, we spend a lot of time treating spider veins and helping our patients to avoid further occurrences. With our knowledge and experience, we can help you understand what spider veins are, how they are caused, and what spider vein treatments are available to you.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are tiny dilated blood vessels that can be seen on the surface of the skin. A large percentage of both men and women develop at least a few spider veins as they grow older. However, other individuals may have more spider veins or ones that are more visible.
Spider veins most often appear on the legs but occasionally they can also appear on other parts of the body such as the face, hands, or chest. Patients who have very visible spider veins may avoid wearing shorts or skirts to cover them up and may want to find treatments for removing their spider veins.
Spider Vein Causes
The presence of spider veins is often a genetic trait. If someone in your family has a high number of spider veins on their legs, it is likely that you will also develop them as you age.
They can be caused as part of the natural aging process as your veins become weaker and more prone to dilation. They can also occur as a result of hormonal changes, lifestyle, sun exposure, or injury. Additionally, if you have a job where you are sitting or standing in the same position for many hours, you may be more at risk for developing spider veins.
Spider veins occur when the valves in certain veins no longer function properly. These valves are essential for preventing the backward flow of blood. When the muscles in your legs contract, they squeeze the veins and push blood toward your heart. When this happens, the valves open. However, when the muscle relaxes, the valves close, keeping the blood from pooling in the veins.
When these valves stop working, blood can pool in the legs which can cause veins to expand, bulge, and weaken. Eventually, these veins can become visible on the surface of the skin.
Are Spider Veins Dangerous?
Usually, spider veins don’t cause any significant discomfort and are only a cosmetic concern. However, in rare cases, they may be connected to underlying medical conditions. If spider veins come with discomforts such as swelling or pain, you should speak to your doctor.
What Are the Best Spider Vein Treatments?
Even if your spider veins are not causing discomfort, you may wish to get rid of your spider veins for cosmetic reasons. There are many available treatments that can diminish existing spider veins. Some of the first treatments can include at-home treatments such as compression stockings and lifestyle changes.
However, sometimes these measures aren’t enough to adequately treat spider veins. If you are searching for other solutions or need spider vein removal on the face, we can help with our laser spider vein treatments.
Laser Spider Vein Removal
At our practice, we use excel® V, a type of laser therapy used to treat various skin conditions, to effectively target spider veins. The Excel V laser uses a specific wavelength of light to target the pigment in the blood vessels. This laser is designed to target red pigmentation and can be suitable for treating spider veins on any part of the body or face.
Once the laser is applied to the skin, the hemoglobin in the blood vessels absorbs the light energy. This causes the vessels to collapse and shrink. Once this happens, the blood is able to begin flowing through healthier veins.
What to Expect From Laser Spider Vein Treatments
Our Excel V treatments can be beneficial because they are fast and non-invasive. Depending on the area being treated, they may take between 15 and 30 minutes. During the treatment, a cooling gel is applied to the area. Then the laser handpiece is placed on the skin where it delivers laser energy.
Pain and discomfort are minimal during this treatment. Some people feel a slight snapping sensation like a small rubber band on the skin. A cooling mechanism within the device helps to increase comfort during treatments.
There is no downtime associated with Excel V treatments, and you can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. Some spider veins may be reduced right away, but it may take several weeks or even multiple treatments before you receive the results you are looking for.
Who Can Use the Excel V Laser?
The Excel V Laser can be suitable for patients of all skin types and colors who have small to medium-sized spider veins. To find out if you are a good candidate for Excel V treatments, you can have a consultation with us.
Spider Vein Removal Services in Jacksonville Beach, FL
If you are looking for laser spider vein removal treatments, we offer services in Jacksonville Beach, FL. At Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville, we can meet with you to determine whether our spider vein treatments are the right choice for you. To learn more about our spider vein laser treatments, schedule a consultation today by filling out an online form or calling us at (904) 364-5585.
