Varicose and spider veins, they might have crept up on you. You look down to examine what you remember as relatively flawless legs, only to discover they aren’t so flawless anymore. In fact, you find blue-tinged, raised veins and spider-like purplish blotches and instead of opting for that pair of shorts, you grab your jeans.

But while covering up may fend off any cringing glances for the day, it’s not a permanent solution. But fear not, you are not alone. It is estimated that nearly one in four people in this country experience some form of leg vein disorder during their lifetime. It also means that there are many options for the treatment of varicose and spider veins.

So what can you do about those unsightly varicose and spider veins, aside from the age old compression stockings and slacks? A lot.

Today’s medical vein treatments are minimally invasive, which means that procedure and healing times are quicker and much less painful than traditional surgeries.

Some of the most popular medical treatments include:

Radiofrequency Closure: During the procedure a tiny puncture is made and a small catheter is inserted into the defective vein. The catheter then delivers radio frequency energy to the vein wall, causing the vein to shrink and seal shut. Once the vein is closed, neighboring healthy veins take over to restore normal circulation. Radiofrequency closure of varicose veins generally takes minutes to complete, with relatively little to no pain, and is covered by most health insurance plans.

Endovenous Laser Treatment: Another minimally invasive treatment for damaged veins, the procedure is performed under local or regional anesthesia in an office-based procedure. A tiny puncture is made and a small catheter is inserted into the defective varicose or spider vein. The catheter then delivers laser energy to the vein wall, causing the vein to shrink and seal shut. Once closed, pressure within the varicose vein decreases and normal circulation is gradually restored, vastly improving problematic symptoms and vein appearance.

Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure used to eliminate varicose and spider (telangiectasias) veins and may help patients who experience symptoms from leg vein problems. Affected vessels are injected with a sclerosant solution, which causes the vessel to collapse and ultimately disappear. Performed in-office, the procedure takes anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the number of veins being treated and their size. Multiple sessions at a bi-weekly or monthly interval may be required.

Laser Therapy: Particularly suited for the treatment of spider veins and a popular alternative/complement of sclerotherapy, laser treatments work by producing a high-intensity ray of light that targets the unwanted vessel, leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. The laser energy causes the intended varicose or spider vein to break up and gradually disappear.

Laser therapy can be used to treat unsightly broken and dilated vessels such as small varicose and spider veins. Also used on the face, laser therapy has become the treatment of choice for facial lesions such as rosacea and spider veins and can be used on a wide range of vein related problems, such as varicose veins of the leg.

Whether you are just looking for more information or are ready to schedule a procedure it is important to meet with a doctor personally for an accurate diagnosis. To schedule a consultation, call Soho Vein & Vascular today. With multiple office locations in New York and New Jersey, we’ll find a time and location that’s most convenient for you.