Do you dread looking at your legs because of those nasty spider veins showing visibly? Not only can spider veins cause you to have low self-esteem, but they can also bring discomfort to you.
But wait… we’ve got your worries covered! Spider vein treatments are now available at Pure Skin Laser Center.
Spider veins can be treated by two options: sclerotherapy and laser treatment. Although both yield the same results – getting rid of your unwanted spider veins – they differ in nature and procedure. In this blog, we’ll talk about their main differences and how they work so you can choose the best way to remove spider veins for you.
Spider Veins: In-Depth Review
What are Spider Veins
Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are actually damaged blood vessels or blood clots just beneath your skin’s surface. They’re usually red, blue, or purple clusters that look like a web – thus its name. Take note, though, that spider veins are not veins but capillaries, venules, and arterioles.
Spider veins can form anywhere in the body but are most commonly visible in the leg and facial area. They are harmless, but they can cause some itching or discomfort, which affects more than 50% of women as they age. The main reason for getting them treated is for cosmetic purposes.
Main Causes of Spider Veins
When small blood vessels under your skin weaken and expand, they form into spider veins. It’s not specifically clear what causes spider veins, but the following are contributing factors:
- Hormonal changes
- Genes
- Injury or trauma
- Connective tissue diseases
People who face higher risks of having spider veins are those who are:
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time
- Pregnant
- Obese or with a BMI > 30
- With biological family members that have spider veins or varicose veins
- On birth control
- Smoking or quit smoking
- Always out in the sun
Sclerotherapy: How It Works
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that works by injecting a formulation—we call it Asclera® injection here at Pure Skin Laser Center—into the blood vessel to collapse it for instant results.
This solution is directly injected into the blood vessel and eventually absorbed into the body. This procedure is highly efficient and works great for large areas of the body.
The main reasons why people opt for sclerotherapy:
- Proven Effectiveness—Sclerotherapy has been used for many years now, and there has been countless feedback about its effectiveness. This has been an effective solution to stubborn veins that even laser therapy can’t handle. Truly, the high success rate attracts more people to opt for this procedure.
- Minimal Discomfort – During the procedure, a tiny needle is injected into the capillaries that show the visible spider veins. Most clients only experience a slight tingling or burning sensation throughout the session. If you’re uncomfortable with this, just let our specialist know and we will be happy to provide you with a topical anesthetic to minimize the discomfort you feel.
- Cost Efficiency – Our Asclera® injection only costs about $225 per vial, and with that, you can see instant results after the procedure.
- Versatility—Sclerotherapy can be used on any part of the body, popularly on the hands and legs. It can also be used as an alternative treatment for areas where laser treatment can’t solve.
If you’re planning to try sclerotherapy or have questions about the procedure, we’ll be more than willing to accommodate you at Pure Skin Laser Center. For more information on our Asclera® Injection, you may visit our website for details.
How Laser Treatment Rids of Spider Veins
Laser treatment for spider veins has also been a popular choice among women. It is a quick, effective, and non-invasive procedure that uses a focused beam of light to heat and destroy affected veins.
The light from laser therapy for spider veins targets the pigment in the blood and warms the vessel without damaging the skin or surrounding tissues. The desired results take time and may be noticeable after a few days. Although laser spider vein removal is more precise than sclerotherapy, it can cause burns when the skin is too exposed to the sun.
The main reasons why people opt for laser treatment:
- Safety and Precision—The laser beams target areas precisely and will not affect the surrounding areas, unlike in sclerotherapy.
- Quick and Convenient Treatment—Each session lasts 15 to 30 minutes, making it convenient for people who don’t have hours to spend in a clinic. This is a great choice for individuals who are just squeezing in a session in their daily routines.
- Visible Results – There will be visible results right after each treatment session. Although your spider veins won’t totally disappear after the first procedure, you will notice a difference between the treated area and the one before.
- Reasonable Prices – Pure Skin Laser Center prides itself on providing clients with unmatched state-of-the-art laser technology that ensures safe and lasting results. Our price for spider vein laser treatment starts at $130 per session.
Our medical spa takes pride in offering high-quality laser treatments for everyone, including laser hair removal, laser beauty treatments, and laser spider vein treatments. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further inquiries on our Laser Spider Vein Treatment!
Side-by-Side Comparison
Now, we’ve listed both treatments and how they work. To give you a better view of sclerotherapy and laser spider vein treatment, here’s a side-by-side comparison of them.
Approach
- Sclerotherapy: Asclera® injections use a tiny needle to penetrate the skin and target the capillaries just beneath it.
- Laser Treatment: Light beams are used to send heat that targets the pigment in the blood that forms spider veins.
Precision
- Sclerotherapy: While this is an effective option, Asclera® injections lack the precision of laser treatment. It can cause some irritation to neighboring veins, potentially affecting them.
- Laser Treatment: Laser beams precisely target the veins causing the issue, making it the number one option in terms of precision. This ensures that surrounding healthy tissue remains unaffected.
Costs
- Sclerotherapy is more cost-effective than laser therapy. If you’re looking to have your veins treated more affordably, Asclera® injection is the best option.
- Laser Treatment: Laser costs are relatively higher than sclerotherapy due to the specialized laser equipment used in the procedure.
Treatment Sensation
- Sclerotherapy: It is expected to feel some mild burning or tingling sensation during the treatment at the injection site.
- Laser Treatment: There will be some mild heat during the procedure that is generally tolerable.
Effectiveness
- Sclerotherapy: This treatment is highly effective for both small and large veins, improving both their appearance and circulation.
- Laser Treatment: Unlike sclerotherapy, laser treatments are only effective in certain vein conditions.
Which one is the best treatment for spider veins?
The best treatment is subjective and depends on the patient’s skin condition, lifestyle, and preferences. Although both treatments are proven safe and effective, the choice ultimately lies in your hands.
If you need help assessing your options, give us a call for a one-on-one consultation here at Pure Skin Laser Center. Our estheticians will walk you through everything you need to know to weigh both the pros and cons of these procedures so you can make an informed decision.
