Make Your Legs Beautiful Again*: Spider Vein Treatment & More at Port City Plastic Surgery

While people often refer to any unwanted veins in their legs as “varicose veins,” spider veins (which are also often found on the legs, feet and face), are actually far more common.

“Spider veins are quite common, and our patients definitely do not enjoy having them,” explains Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse, founder and chief surgeon at Port City Plastic Surgery, “but they do not necessarily reflect a major underlying problem in most patients.” They can be caused by limiting blood flow due to tight clothing, excessive heat, and other concerns. While leg veins are a common type of spider veins, they can occur almost anywhere.

The good news is, there are treatment options for both varicose veins and spider veins.

Varicose Veins vs. Spider Veins: The Difference

Varicose veins are the raised, dark blue, red, or flesh-colored veins that appear enlarged beneath the skin, usually on the legs.

Spider veins are much smaller and milder, appearing as very thin red or blue lines or squiggles, often forming a spiderweb-like pattern along the surface of the skin. Small spider veins are much more common superficial veins compared to larger varicose veins.

Treating Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy, considered one of the most effective ways of reducing the appearance of varicose and spider veins, can be done on the legs in an outpatient setting. A liquid chemical is injected into the affected vein to close it off. The vein then fades after a few weeks.

Depending on how many veins you need treated, you and Dr. Widenhouse may decide on a minimum of 2-4 treatments for optimal results. Sclerotherapy for varicose veins and spider veins is a cosmetic procedure, so insurance will not cover it. Treatments can range from $700 to $1,000 per session. Click here to see how Port City Plastic Surgery can help you make sclerotherapy more affordable with a payment plan.

Laser Therapy

Surface laser therapy is an effective spider vein and very small varicose vein treatment. It also works in areas other than the legs. At Port City Plastic Surgery, Dr. Widenhouse uses laser therapy on the face for facial spider veins, telangiectasis (a condition in which small blood vessels cause threadlike red lines or patterns on the skin), and rosacea, in addition to birthmarks. The procedure works by sending light through the skin to the vein, which results in the vein slowly fading and ultimately disappearing from the skin’s surface. Laser vein removal uses a vascular-specific laser similar to that used for vascular birthmark removal. The spider veins are obliterated and reabsorbed by the body.

More for Your Legs: CoolSculpting, Tattoo Removal, Laser Hair Removal & BBL

At Port City Plastic Surgery, we offer the latest cutting-edge treatments to help your legs look their best. CoolSculpting, Tattoo Removal, Sclerotherapy, Laser Hair Removal and Brazilian Butt Lift are some of the ways we help women achieve great legs.

Schedule a Consultation

If you would like to learn more about varicose vein and spider vein treatment, visit our Spider Veins page. Contact Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina to schedule your free varicose vein and spider vein consult.