Small red, blue, or purple veins on your legs can be difficult to ignore, especially when they become more noticeable over time. Spider veins are usually harmless, but many people seek treatment for clearer, more even-looking skin and greater confidence wearing shorts, skirts, or swimwear.
Spartz Vein Clinic provides spider vein treatment for patients throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area from its Maplewood and Eagan locations. Dr. Margaret Spartz is a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine and treats venous conditions ranging from cosmetic spider veins to more advanced venous disease.
What Are Spider Veins?
Spider veins are small, visible blood vessels that appear close to the surface of the skin. They often look like thin branching lines or web-like clusters and may be red, blue, or purple.
They commonly develop on the thighs, calves, ankles, and other areas of the legs. Spider veins are generally smaller than varicose veins and usually do not bulge above the skin.
Factors that may contribute to spider veins include:
- Family history of vein problems
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes
- Aging
- Spending long periods standing or sitting
- Increased pressure within the veins
- Previous vein problems
Although spider veins are often primarily a cosmetic concern, an evaluation can help determine whether other vein problems are contributing to their appearance.
What Does Spider Vein Treatment Involve?
Spider vein treatment closes unwanted veins, making them gradually less visible. The body naturally redirects blood through healthier veins while the treated vessels fade over time.
Spartz Vein Clinic offers sclerotherapy, a commonly used treatment for spider veins. During sclerotherapy, the provider carefully injects a medication into the targeted vein. The solution irritates the inside of the vessel, causing it to close and eventually be absorbed by the body.
The office performs the treatment and typically does not require surgery or a hospital stay.
Candidates for Spider Vein Treatment
Spider vein treatment may be appropriate if visible veins bother you and you would like to improve the appearance of your legs.
Good candidates are generally people who:
- Have visible red, blue, or purple spider veins
- Are bothered by the cosmetic appearance of their veins
- Have realistic expectations about improvement
- Are healthy enough for treatment
- Are willing to follow recommended aftercare
Your provider will examine your veins and discuss your medical history before recommending treatment. If symptoms suggest an underlying vein condition, your provider may recommend additional evaluation.
What Are the Benefits of Spider Vein Treatment?
Spider vein treatment can gradually improve appearance without major surgery.
Potential benefits include:
- Reduced visibility of spider veins
- Clearer, more even-looking skin
- Minimally invasive treatment
- Little interruption to normal activities
- Treatment tailored to your specific vein pattern
- The ability to treat multiple veins during a session
Some veins may require more than one treatment session to achieve the desired improvement.
What Should You Expect After Treatment?
Most patients can return to normal daily activities shortly after spider vein treatment. Mild redness, tenderness, swelling, or bruising may occur around treated areas and usually improves gradually.
Compression stockings may be recommended following sclerotherapy to support the treated veins and encourage proper healing. Your provider may also recommend walking while temporarily limiting strenuous exercise, prolonged inactivity, or certain activities based on your treatment.
Spider veins usually do not disappear immediately. Instead, treated vessels gradually fade over the following weeks or months.
Can Spider Veins Come Back?
Successfully treated veins generally remain closed, but treatment cannot prevent every new spider vein from forming.
Genetics, aging, hormonal changes, pregnancy, and other factors can continue to affect your veins. Additional treatments can be performed if new spider veins become noticeable.
Why Choose Spartz Vein Clinic for Spider Vein Treatment
Spartz Vein Clinic focuses specifically on venous health and treats vein conditions at every stage, from cosmetic spider veins to chronic venous insufficiency. Dr. Margaret Spartz has advanced training in phlebology and emphasizes medically responsible, evidence-based care and shared decision-making with her patients.
Patients are treated at the convenient Maplewood and Eagan offices, serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities communities. The clinic's team includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered vascular technologists with specific experience in venous evaluation and treatment.
Improve the Appearance of Your Legs With Spider Vein Treatment in Minneapolis, MN
Spider vein treatment can reduce the appearance of veins and help your legs look clearer and more even. A personalized evaluation can determine which veins to treat, whether an underlying venous problem is present, and which approach best fits your needs.
Call Spartz Vein Clinic at 651-797-6880 to schedule a consultation and learn more about spider vein treatment serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding Twin Cities area.