[By Carol Chen]

They are small, red and resemble little spiders crawling down your legs, hence the term spider veins. Apart from the affectionate sounding moniker, there is nothing cute about the appearance of these itsy bitsy spider veins. They can become worse with age, and unlike other beauty woes such as a bad breakout, they will not disappear with time.Spider veins are small, tangled groups of tiny blood vessels just underneath the surface of the skin that resembles spider webs or tree branches. They are generally red, blue or purple in color, and are clearly visible, affecting areas such as the thighs, calves, ankles and even face.

CAUSE

Spider veins can be caused by the backup of blood. They can also be caused by hormonal changes, sun   exposure and injuries.

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RISK

Many factors increase a person’s chances of developing spider veins. These include:

1. Increasing age. As you get older, the valves in your veins may weaken and not work as well.
2. Medical history. Being born with weak vein valves increases your risk. Having family members with vein problems also increases your risk. About half of all people who have varicose veins have a family member who has them too.
3. Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing oestrogen and progesterone also may contribute to the forming of varicose or spider veins.
4. Pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The growing uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. More varicose veins and spider veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy.
5. Obesity. Being overweight or obese can put extra pressure on your veins. This can lead to varicose veins.
6. Lack of movement. Sitting or standing for a long time may force your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart. This may be a bigger problem if you sit with your legs bent or crossed.
7. Sun exposure. This can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person.

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PREVENT

1. Not all varicose and spider veins can be prevented. But, there are some steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting new varicose and spider veins. These same things can help ease discomfort from the ones you already have:
2. Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.
3. Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running.
4. Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
5. Don’t cross your legs for long times when sitting. It’s possible to injure your legs that way, and even a minor injury can increase the risk of varicose veins.
6. Elevate your legs when resting as much as possible.
7. Don’t stand or sit for long periods of time. If you must stand for a long time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk every 30 minutes.
8. Wear elastic support stockings and avoid tight clothing that constricts your waist, groin, or legs.
9. Avoid wearing high heels for long periods of time. Lower-heeled shoes can help tone your calf muscles to help blood move through your veins.
10. Eat a low-salt diet rich in high-fiber foods. Eating fiber reduces the chances of constipation, which can contribute to varicose veins. High-fiber foods include fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, like bran. Eating less salt can help with the swelling that comes with varicose veins.

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TREAT

Spider veins can be treated either by Sclerotherapy or laser vein removal treatment. Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure developed to eradicate unsightly, non-functional veins such as those on the legs. It is performed through tiny injections of a sterile solution (sclerosant) directly into the veins, causing them to collapse and be absorbed by the body. Generally, Sclerotherapy works better for the larger veins that you typically see on the legs and is the treatment of choice for them. Fairly significant results is seen after 1 treatment, but one may require 2 to 3 treatments for optimal results, depending on the severity and size of the area affected.

While Sclerotherapy is more suited for larger veins, Laser Vein Removal is the treatment of choice for smaller and finer veins. Treatment is quicker, easier and more comfortable as new and advanced laser treatments allow us to deliver a precise dose of energy to each vein while protecting the overlying skin. The laser energy is absorbed by the blood vessels and the heat causes thermo-coagulation of the blood vessels. The treated vessels are then gradually removed by the body naturally. These undesirable skin graffiti can be effectively tackled with the GentleYag, the VBeam Perfecta pulsed dye laser or the CoolView system; depending on the color, type and location of the veins and the patient’s skin type. A combination of laser modalities can be employed for a fully customizable approach, achieving the highest clearance of spider veins the safest manner possible.

A combination of both Sclerotherapy and Laser Vein Removal can give synergistic results as assessed by a trained physician. Significant results can usually be seen after one treatment, but depending on the severity and area, one may require 3 to 4 treatments for optimal results. The veins typically do not recur once they disappear with the appropriate treatment(s), though it is possible for new veins to form.There is no downtime involved and you are generally encouraged to resume most normal activities immediately but the doctor will ask that you refrain from vigorous activities for the first 24 hours and may prescribed you with special medical compression stockings to keep the treated veins closed.

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