Will Spider Veins Go Away on Their Own?

October is a fun month for embracing all things spidery, but it’s no laughing matter when your veins get in on the act and cast a web on your face and legs. If you’re here to find out how to ghost your spider veins, you’ve come to the right place.

Dr. Chinyere Orafu and our experienced team of certified laser technicians specialize in cosmetic complexion complaints like spider veins. 

Here’s all you need to know about those bothersome Webby vessels.

Spider veins 101

Spider veins, a.k.a. telangiectasia, are small, damaged veins that you can see through the surface of your skin. They’re usually blue, purple, or red and form clusters resembling a spider’s web — hence the name. Although they can wreck your complexion, spider veins are harmless and painless.

Spider veins result from increased pressure in your veins, which causes them to expand and become visible through the skin. 

They’re more common in women than men and become more numerous and prominent as you age.

Why do spider veins occur?

Spider veins are small dilated blood vessels near the skin’s surface. If they become damaged or weakened, blood pools, and the vessels enlarge. Anything that causes pressure, damage, weakening, or stalling of the one-way valves in your veins can be responsible for spider veins. The following are some of the top reasons:

You can blame genetics if you have spider veins because if your parents had spider veins, you’re likely to get them, too. 

Hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause can also lead to spider veins. 

Standing or sitting too long increases the pressure on your leg veins and causes them to expand.

Obesity adds extra pressure on your veins, especially the ones in your legs, so carrying excess weight can contribute to your spider vein problem.

Spending too much time in the sun can also impact your veins.

Will spider veins resolve on their own?

The short answer is no. Spider veins typically don’t go away on their own. 

Once they become visible, they stay put — and may grow larger — until you treat them. Even though they don’t cause physical discomfort, you may want to treat them for cosmetic reasons.

There are ways to prevent new spider veins from forming, such as wearing compression stockings, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding prolonged periods of standing or sitting. However, these measures won’t make existing spider veins disappear.

How the Gemini Laser System works

We’ve got you covered if you’re looking to eliminate spider veins. Dr. Orafu uses the Gemini Laser System. Its state-of-the-art technology uses dual wavelengths to target and collapse your spider veins, allowing your body to reabsorb them naturally.

The Gemini Laser vs. pulsed light treatments

Pulsed light treatments have been around for years and are commonly used to treat various skin conditions, including spider veins. However, they aren’t always as effective for smaller, more delicate veins. Pulsed light treatments use a broad spectrum of light that can damage surrounding tissues and cause less precise results.

On the other hand, the Gemini laser uses dual wavelengths to specifically target the red hemoglobin in your blood vessels, causing them to collapse and disappear over time. It reduces the risk of damage to surrounding tissue and is more effective for spider veins.

Gemini Laser System advantages

The Gemini laser system is a game-changer if you want to remove spider veins efficiently and safely. If you’re making a pros and cons list, put these in the plus column:

• Precision: the laser targets only the veins, leaving surrounding tissues unharmed
• Speed: treatments are quick — usually less than 30 minutes
• Comfortable: most patients report only mild discomfort during the procedure
• Quick recovery: there’s little to no downtime

When you’re ready to clear away the spider web veins on your face and legs, call Ohio Laser & Wellness Centers in Dover or Canton, Ohio, or book online.