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Small veins near the surface of the skin are called "spider" veins also known as broken capillaries. Patients with spider veins usually do not need an extensive evaluation.

Spider veins usually appear as fine irregular red lines on the nose, cheeks and the side of the face. The larger reticular veins appear greenish blue in color and can be 2-3 mm in diameter. They are most often found along the cheekbone under the eye and at the temple areas. Reticular veins and large spider veins are best treated by ambulatory phlebectomy or sclerotherapy, while smaller spider veins are usually treated easily with laser. Minimally invasive office surgery called ambulatory or miniphlebectomy can be performed as well. Newer diode Lasers can effectively treat spider veins.

In the medical world, they are known as telangiectasias or sunburst varicosities, small thin veins that lie close to the skin surface. They are super-fine veins connected to a larger venous system, but not an essential part of it.

Several factors lead to the development of spider veins, such as heredity, pregnancy, anything related to hormonal shifts, weight gain and activities that require a lot of sitting or standing, and the consumption of several medications.

There are 3 basic patterns for spider veins:

• They may appear in true spider shape with a group of veins entangled and radiating outward from a central, dark point;
• They may be intertwined in form and twist, looking like overcrossing branches;
• They may be simple linear shapes, appearing like separate thin lines.

Linear spider veins usually appear on the knees, while the intertwining pattern is more common on the outer thighs in sunburst or cartwheel distribution.

Not to mistake spider veins with varicose veins, where the latter are larger than the spider veins, darker in color, and tend to be more bulging outwards; they also more commonly cause pain and discomfort besides more vein disorders.

Spider Veins Treatments

• Sclerotherapy
• E-LAS (Endovenous Laser Ablation of Saphenous vein)

Spider Veins Pictures

Spider Veins Before/After Pictures