If tiny, web-like lines, called spider veins, spread across your legs or face, you might wonder if they’re just a cosmetic issue or something more serious. Many adults develop spider veins at some point in their lifetime. They're usually harmless, but can sometimes signal underlying vein problems.
At Vascular Surgery Associates, we help patients understand spider veins and their effects and offer personalized treatment plans for both medical and cosmetic concerns.
Spider veins are tiny superficial blood vessels close to the surface of your skin. They often appear as fine lines, branches, or spider webs and may be red, purple, and/or blue. Most commonly, you see them on the legs, ankles, and face.
Spider vein causes aren’t always clear, but one possibility is that the valves in small veins become weak or incur damage, causing blood to pool instead of flowing smoothly back to the heart. This backflow increases pressure in the veins, causing them to expand and become visible under the skin.
Known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), this condition causes large, protruding varicose veins. However, only around 23% of patients with spider veins also have CVI.
Spider veins can affect anyone, but factors that increase your risk include:
If your parents had spider veins, you’re more likely to develop them.
Veins weaken over time, making older adults more prone to spider veins.
Pregnancy, birth control pills, and menopause can increase the risk of developing spider veins. Unsurprisingly, around 41% of women develop spider veins.
Jobs that require you to stay on your feet or sit at a desk for extended periods can impact your circulation.
Extra weight puts added pressure on your veins.
Sun exposure can also be a factor, especially for facial spider veins.
In most cases, spider veins aren’t dangerous. They’re typically a cosmetic issue and don’t cause pain or health problems. However, they can sometimes be an early sign of underlying issues. If you have spider veins along with any of the following symptoms, it’s essential to visit us for an evaluation:
These symptoms could point to more serious vein issues like CVI.
Even though spider veins are usually harmless, you don’t have to live with them if they bother you. At Vascular Surgery Associates, we recommend making an appointment if:
Our experienced vascular team takes a detailed medical history and evaluates your spider veins during a physical exam. If necessary, they may recommend a painless vascular ultrasound to assess the way your veins function.
We offer several safe and effective treatments to reduce or eliminate spider veins:
Sclerotherapy is the most universal spider vein treatment. We inject a special liquid into the spider veins, causing them to collapse and fade over time. It’s quick, with minimal downtime.
Lasers use beams of focused light that target the spider veins and break them down, which is especially useful for facial spider veins.
Losing a few blood vessels won’t affect your circulation, because the blood diverts along one of the many other veins.
The treated spider veins can’t grow back, so they’re gone for good. However, you could develop new spider veins over time. Therefore, we recommend preventive treatment and lifestyle changes to reduce the likelihood of new spider veins forming. These include:
If we discover a more serious vein problem during your exam, we’ll discuss additional treatments tailored to your condition. We provide advanced solutions for varicose veins, including ClosureFast™ radiofrequency ablation, Varithena™ Microfoam, and the VenaSeal™ Closure System.
Spider veins may seem like a minor annoyance, but they can sometimes reveal more serious vein issues. Whether you want to enhance the appearance of your legs or ensure your veins are functioning, we can help.
With convenient locations and a team of experienced specialists, we’re committed to helping you achieve better vein health and feel confident in your skin. If you have questions or concerns about spider veins, don’t wait.
You can schedule a consultation with Vascular Surgery Associates by phone or online at one of our offices in multiple locations throughout Maryland.
