Spider veins are small, thin veins that lie close to the surface of the skin. Although these minute veins are linked to your larger venous system, they are not a necessary part of it. Removing spider veins can be done by utilizing laser treatment, but first lets talk a little more about spider veins.

Spider veins have one of three basic designs:

1. A true spider shape with a group of veins radiating outward from a dark central point.
2. A pattern that looks like tiny branch-like shapes.
3. They may appear linear—thin separate lines or like sunburst or cartwheel. Linear spider veins are most often found on the inner knee and the outer thigh for a sunburst or cartwheel distribution.

Causes for Spider Veins

• Heredity
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal Shifts
• Weight Gain
• Prolonged Standing
• Prolonged Sitting
• Taking certain Medications

Endovenous Laser Treatment for Removing Spider Veins

This technology is available for removing spider veins and larger varicose veins in the legs. A laser fiber is passed through a thin tube (catheter) into the vein. While doing this, the doctor watches the vein on a duplex ultrasound screen. Laser is less painful than vein ligation and stripping surgery, and needs a shorter recovery time. Only local anesthesia or a light sedative is needed for laser treatment. (For vein surgery, general anesthesia is used to put you to sleep.)

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