Microsclerotherapy and what you need to know
Spider veins (also called thread veins) are small dilated blood vessels.
They have a red or bluish colour and appear on the surface of the skin; particularly the legs, face and elsewhere (e.g. chest and breasts).
Spider Veins may be visible as short, unconnected lines each about the size of a large hair, they may be connected in a scraggly starburst pattern, or they may resemble a spider web or a tree with branches.
They are most common on the outside of the thighs and around the knees but can occur anywhere on the legs or face.
Spider veins are treated by Microsclerotherapy which is an injection technique using ultra fine needles or in some cases with Exotherme Laser (a vascular laser specifically for treating leg spider veins).
Spider veins drain in to larger veins under the surface of the skin. If the veins that collect the blood from the spider veins are ‘faulty’ and too high pressure, treatment will usually be unsuccessful. For this reason, we prefer to perform a diagnostic ultrasound of all legs before spider vein treatment in case there are underlying veins which need to be treated first. If this is the case, we typically wait three months after the underlying treatment before treating the actual spider veins. Although this can be a drawn out process it typically gets the best cosmetic results.
Why do I have spider veins?
Spider (or thread veins) can occur;
- After trauma and appear to be associated with obesity and with occupations involving prolonged standing.
- Spider veins often occur in association with underlying varicose veins often not obvious due to their deeper location in the leg.
- Generally spider veins will have been inherited genetically.
How do I prevent them?
- Wearing specialised support stockings and pantyhose may prevent dilated blood vessels from developing in some people.
- Maintaining an ideal weight and regular exercise – especially walking, may also be helpful.
- Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes as they can restrict ankle movement and thereby affect the pumping mechanism of the large vein
We have been treating Varicose Veins for over 20 years, Palm Clinic is one of New Zealand’s longest standing Vein and Cosmetic Medicine Clinics.
With a strong reputation for safe, natural results the highly skilled team use their experience to guide you through the best options ensuring your functional and cosmetic concerns are addressed and treatments are tailored specifically for you.
