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Spider Vein Treatments

Vein Therapy of Atlanta

General and Vascular Surgery located in Buckhead - Midtown, Atlanta, GA

Jana Emmett, MMSc, PA-C, is a physician assistant who focuses her practice on sclerotherapy. Jana partners with our office to provide sclerotherapy services to our patients.  With more than 14 years of experience treating many hundreds of patients, Jana’s expertise is well-established. Jana is committed to excellence in vein treatment. She delights in facilitating an increased self-confidence that makes wearing shorts and skirts more enjoyable.

Spider Vein Treatments Q & A

What are spider veins?

Spider veins (or telangiectasia) are small leg veins that can look like red, blue or purple-ish bruises. They can occur singly or in clusters anywhere on the legs. Spider veins earned their name because they look like small spider webs on your skin. They are actually clusters of tiny red, blue, or purple blood vessels visible on the surface of your skin. These tiny blotches can show up on your face or legs.

Spider veins, a type of varicose vein, are the result of structural damage or problems in your veins that result in blood not flowing through properly, instead of pooling in the vein.

Generally, their number increases steadily over the years, influenced by factors like heredity, hormone changes, obesity, occupations that require a lot of sitting or standing, pregnancy or even smoking.

While often asymptomatic, they can cause symptoms of leg aching, or throbbing, and are thought by some to contribute to the symptoms of restless legs. 

Why do spider veins form?

When functioning properly, the valves in your veins open up so blood can leave your veins; when these valves malfunction, your veins swell, blood pools, and bluish web-like shapes appear on your skin.

Factors that increase your chances of developing spider veins include:

  • Age over 50
  • Family history
  • Birth control pills
  • Pregnancy or menopause
  • Obesity
  • Sitting or standing for extended periods
  • Fair-colored skin
  • Female gender

What are the symptoms of spider veins?

While often asymptomatic, they can cause symptoms of leg aching, or throbbing, and are thought by some to contribute to the symptoms of restless legs.

Should I be worried about my spider veins?

No. Spider veins are not considered a serious health concern. 

Even without pain or discomfort, you may still want to get your spider veins treated if they make you self-conscious.

How do you treat spider veins?

If you want to get rid of your unsightly spider web marks or relieve uncomfortable symptoms, Jana can recommend the best treatment option for your specific vein issues.

The best approach to manage spider veins is sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is a treatment for smaller veins (also known as spider veins or telangiectasia) that is time-tested. We use Asclera®, an FDA-approved solution which is designed to cause changes in the walls of small veins, directed toward their eventual disappearance. While lasers have been used to treat spider veins, their enduring effectiveness is significantly less than appropriately-performed sclerotherapy.

Although treatment of spider veins is generally considered to be cosmetic and not necessarily covered by insurance, after treatment, many people say “My legs not only look better, but they also feel better.”

For more information on how to get rid of your spider veins, call Vein Therapy of Atlanta.