Many patients in Los Angeles are interested in spider vein removal for the legs, chest and face. Although they pose no health risk, these procedures are done for cosmetic reasons.
Spider veins are thin and unsightly blood vessels that are very close to the skin’s surface. They are usually red or blue and tend to branch out in a tree, spider web or maze-like pattern. Whereas vericose veins are bumpy and raised, spider veins are flat.
Los Angeles Spider Vein Removal- Understanding the Causes of Spider Veins
Spider veins are caused when blood backs up and pools in one location. In general, veins are responsible for transporting low oxygen blood back to the heart. This is where it can receive a new supply of oxygen from the lungs. There are valves to make sure that the blood only flows in one direction. In some cases the valves, or the blood vessel walls may be weak. And this can cause the blood to flow backwards or pool.
There are factors that can increase a person’s risk for developing unwanted and visible blood vessels on the skin’s surface. Once this happens, spider vein removal procedures may be needed. Some of these factors include:
1) Age
The effects of age may cause tissue in the blood vessels (e.g. walls and valves) to atrophy
2) Genetics
Some people are genetically predisposed to having weak valves. This may be evident as a family pattern
3) Changes in hormonal patterns
These changes can be marked by puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Birth control pills and drugs with estrogen or progesterone can also cause hormonal changes.
4) Sun Exposure
Sun exposure may warrant spider vein removal procedures in individuals with fair skin. These rays will cause oxygen molecules on the skin’s surface to lose an electron. This starts a chain reaction where the molecule tries to steal other electrons from nearby areas. Tissues become damaged. The process can affect blood vessels close to the surface.
Los Angeles Spider Vein Removal- Procedures
Spider veins are usually smaller than 1mm. There are two types of treatments that can get rid of them
1) injections
2) laser
Spider Vein Removal With Injections
In the past, a saline injection solution called Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate was used to get rid of unsightly blood vessels. The solution damages the endothelium (inner lining) of the walls within these veins.
A new drug called Asclera received FDA approval in 2010. Prior to this, it has been successfully used in Europe for more than 40 years. There are several advantages that Asclera offers for spider vein removal
1) less pain compared to saline injections.
2) more effective. This was confirmed in an FDA research study which showed that Asclera performed better than saline by about 20%
3) fewer risks of the following conditions
(1) neovascularization does not occur
(2) development of hematomas at the injection site
(3) sun induced irritations at the injection site does not occur
4) greater accuracy for spider vein removal
Saline used to be less effective for spider veins compared to vericose veins. This was because of their sizes.
Spider Vein Removal With Laser
Laser energy has many useful applications in medicine. This is because it can reach below the skin’s surface to make very precise changes to tissue structures.
The V-beam laser, which uses a specialized wavelength of 595nm, is very effective for removing small unwanted blood vessels. Oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood cells will absorb the laser energy. Once it is inside the spider veins, the heat will close off the vessels. This causes them to become useless tissue that continues to be broken down by the body. The lymphatic system then carries away the waste, clearing the unwanted spider veins from the skin’s surface.
Spider Vein Removal in Los Angeles with Laser and Injections
Los Angeles spider vein removal procedures with Vbeam and Asclera are available at Fine Touch Dermatology. Sign up for a no cost consultation to learn more.
Los Angeles spider vein removal- These procedures usually target spider veins that occur on the legs, chest and face*