Spider Vein Therapy

Definition of Spider Veins

Treatment

Common Questions

Meet Our Sclerotherapists

Before and After Photos

There are several treatments for spider veins: sclerotherapy, radiofrequency treatment with Vein Gogh®, Vascular Laser and IPL™ (intense pulsed light) ablation. Many patients require a combination of treatments for the best result.

Dr. Ellis uses FDA-approved medications called Sotradecol® and Asclera® for sclerotherapy. These agents are place in the spider veins through a small needle, causing the vein to seal shut. Once the vein is sealed, blood flows into healthier veins. The treated vein is absorbed and eventually disappears. Sotradecol® and Aslcera® give much better results and are far less painful than traditional hypertonic saline injections.

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Radiofrequency, Vascular Laser and IPL™ treatment of spider veins is accomplished using the Vein Gogh®, Dornier 940nm diode laser and the Lumenis Quantum Intense Pulsed Light™ systems. These systems produce highly vein-specific wavelengths, which safely pass through the skin and seal the targeted vessels. The Vein Gogh® and Lumenis Quantum IPL™ systems are used to treat very fine spider veins on the legs, chest and face.

Definition of Spider Veins

Spider veins appear as red or purple thread-like vessels on the skin surface, and can occur on the face, neck, chest and legs. In the legs they can be found alone or in combination with varicose veins. They are not a health risk alone, but are often a cosmetic concern.

Spider veins are generally an inherited condition occuring when small capillaires dilate on the surface of the skin. There are larger veins called reticular or "feeder" veins that are the source for spider veins. Spider veins can worsen during times of hormonal shifts (ie; pregnancy or menopause) and with injury (ie; trauma or standing/sitting for long periods).

Treatment of Spider Veins
Laura Ellis MD Skin Care & Vein Centre, PLLC uses state of the art technology and research to treat spider veins. We use radiofrequency, laser and light therapy and sclerotherapy. During your consultation, you will be given recommendations tailored to your specific condition which may include one or both of these treatments.

Meet Our Sclerotherapist

Sue Maggart, RN
Ms Maggart has been helping Dr. Ellis take care of varicose and spider vein patients since the practice began in 2004. She has the highest level of training achievable in the field and is one of the most experienced phlebology nurses in the country.

Before and After Photos