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Leg Spider and Varicose Veins

Varicose veins + no surgery + sclerotherapy + laser + Medical Skin and Laser

Aching, bulging
Swelling, pain
Skin changes
Risk of Ulcers
Family history
Increasing size and severity
Affecting Quality of life
Confidence killer

No Surgery required

Varicose Veins

Varicose Veins Medical Skin and Laser
Varicose and spider veins are very common, affecting over 50% of women and 20% of men in Western communities.

You are NOT alone!
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Leg Spider Veins

Spider Veins Medical Skin and Laser
These spider veins are otherwise known as superficial telangiectasia. They are considered relatively benign if they are not related to symptoms which could be signifying more significant underlying disease.

They often cause more of a cosmetic concern, and can affect confidence in wearing certain clothing.

What causes Varicose or spider veins in the legs?

This is a condition that occurs when the superficial veins no longer function properly. Due to various factors, walls of the veins lose their elasticity and become dilated and elongated. Without effective tissue support, the vein becomes large and tortuous.
 
Valves inside the veins, which are designed to direct the blood back to the heart, become incompetent or “leak” so the blood passes backwards down the leg instead of returning to the heart.
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​These changes result in;
  • Pooling of blood
  • Increased venous pressure/Backflow
  • Accumulation of fluid in your legs.
 
This may progress to:
  • Clotting/Thrombosis in the veins
  • Bleeding from superficial veins
  • Eczema, skin thickening and pigmentation 
  • Ulceration in the lower leg (uncommon in uncomplicated varicose veins).
 
Contributing factors include:
  • Hereditary
  • Age
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • HRT
  • Previous deep venous thrombosis
  • Constipation
  • Dietary factors
  • Lifestyle factors eg, Inactivity
  • Connective tissue disorders  
  • Congenital 
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Treatment options of Varicose veins in the legs?

Treatment options of Spider veins in the legs?

Treatment Options after comprehensive Consultation and imaging:
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  • Endovenous Laser Therapy/Ablation (EVLT/EVLA)- Developed in 1999, using state of the art Laser “Gold Standard”
  • Foam Sclerotherapy – A cheaper non-surgical alternative to laser (suitable for some patients)
  • Clarivein ™ – A novel non thermal closure device, commenced use in Australia in 2011
  • Venaseal (Glue) ™ – The newest method of sealing the vein with Glue, 1st used in Australia in Nov 2014
  • Surgical stripping - combined with “stab avulsion”, was the mainstay of treatment for the last century. This technique requires a general anaesthetic and was associated with a longer recovery time, and frequent recurrence (up to 50% at 5yrs). It is the only procedure which can be access in the public system if varicosities have become complicated (bleeding, ulceration, venous eczema, thrombophlebitis).
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Treatments for Varicose Veins recommended and endorsed by; â€‹
  • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 
  • Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery 
  • ANZ Society Phlebology 
  • Australian College of Phlebology.
Options to treat superficial veins can only be attempted and completed once thorough evaluation of the leg venous system has been completed. 

This ensures longevity of the results obtained from either:

1) Sclerotherapy
2) Vascular Laser (State of the art Class 4 laser. NOT IPL)
Video of Sclerotherapy
Leg vein treatment immediately after Vascular Laser
Leg vein treatment 6 weeks after Vascular Laser

How do I help prevent making varicose or spider leg veins?

Recommended LIFESTYLE Factors include:
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Avoiding prolonged standing
  • Undertaking regular exercise
  • Using compression stockings​

Will veins come back after being treated?

New varicose and spider veins may develop over time, as a patient’s underlying tendency to form varicose veins cannot be changed. These recurrent veins can also be successfully treated.   
Leg veins + Medical Skin and Laser
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