Visible veins are one of the most frustrating aesthetic concerns! That’s why our dedicated vein specialists at Chesapeake Vein Center & MedSpa are here to help you diminish and clear away your spider and varicose veins with expertly administered and clinically proven treatment options, including non-invasive laser treatments.
Telangiectasias, also known as spider veins
- What are they? Spider veins are small, often tangled groups of tiny blood vessels just under the surface of the skin that resemble spider webs or tree branches. They are typically red, blue or purple and are so frustrating because they are easily visible. They are commonly found on the thighs, lower legs or face.
- What causes them? Spider veins are the mildest form of venous insufficiency, being similar to varicose veins but smaller and typically not accompanied by any pain or discomfort. The risk factors associated with spider veins are varied, including age, heredity, pregnancy, hormonal changes, obesity, extended periods of standing and sun exposure.
- How can they be treated? The main two methods for treating spider veins are sclerotherapy and BBL® photofacials.
- Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that simply involves the injection of a special sclerosant solution into the targeted veins, which causes the veins to constrict, close and eventually fade from view in a matter of weeks.
- BBL photofacials use powerful, non-invasive BroadBand Light to stimulate the growth of vibrant new collagen and elastin for a range of complexion improvements including diminishing the appearance of spider veins and broken capillaries. There is no downtime with BBL and results can be seen as soon as a few days post-treatment.
Varicose veins
- What are they? Varicose veins are typically swollen, gnarled veins that most often occur in the legs, ankles and feet. They are produced by a condition called venous insufficiency or venous reflux, where blood circulating through the lower limbs does not properly return to the heart, but instead pools up in the distended veins. Over 25 million Americans suffer from venous reflux disease. Symptoms can include pain and fatigue in the legs, swollen ankles and calves, burning or itching skin, skin discoloration and leg ulcers. In less severe cases, spider veins may be the only symptom.
- What causes them? Two main risk factors are gender and age. Women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men, by the time they reach their sixties. Women who have been pregnant more than once, people with obesity, people with a family history of varicose veins or who spend a lot of time standing all have an increased risk for varicose veins, but they can occur in almost anyone at almost any age.
- How can they be treated? After being diagnosed with the help of a venous duplex ultrasound, which allows our vein specialist and surgeon, Dr. Surya Challa, to better see your varicose veins and determine the best treatment, your varicose veins can be treated in one of two ways, depending on their severity and your preference:
- Radiofrequency ablation: This minimally invasive solution uses radiofrequency energy to heat and damage the walls inside of varicose veins, causing scar tissue to form inside the vein, which causes the vein to close off and blood flow is redirected to healthy veins.
- Ambulatory phlebotomy: This treatment, also known as “microphlebectomy,” is the removal of varicose veins in a safe out-patient procedure requiring only local (awake) anesthesia.
Dr. Challa is an acclaimed vein specialist who has been performing varicose vein procedures since 2008 and has performed over 2,000 procedures without major complications. His results have been exemplary!
To learn more and find long-term relief from bothersome or painful vein issues, reach out to our team today at (757) 819-7633 or request a consultation online!