Summary

Spider veins are small damaged blood vessels that appear close to the skin’s surface and can cause cosmetic concerns as well as discomfort such as itching, burning or aching. Many factors — including genetics, hormonal changes and lifestyle habits — can increase your risk of developing them. Fortunately, non-surgical treatments like VENCLOSE™ offer an effective way to treat spider veins with minimal downtime. If you’re considering treatment, working with an experienced vein doctor in Atlanta can help determine the best option for your symptoms and goals.

Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they affect capillaries, arterioles and venules instead of veins. Capillaries are the tiny vessels responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues. Arterioles and venules are also small blood vessels. Although spider veins aren’t dangerous, many people hate the way they look. Spider veins can also cause itching, burning and pain. Find out how our vein clinic in Atlanta can help with noninvasive spider vein removal procedures.

For many people, spider veins begin as a cosmetic concern but gradually become more noticeable over time. They often appear as thin red, purple or blue lines that branch across the skin’s surface, commonly on the legs or face. While they rarely cause serious medical problems, their presence may indicate underlying circulation changes that are worth discussing with a vein specialist. Patients often feel more confident wearing shorts, skirts or swimwear after successful treatment, making spider vein removal both a health and quality-of-life improvement.

Understanding how spider veins develop is an important part of maintaining long-term vein health. Blood normally travels upward through the veins against gravity with the help of tiny valves. When these valves weaken or circulation slows, pressure can build in the smaller vessels near the surface of the skin. Over time, this pressure can cause the vessels to stretch and become visible.

If you’re interested in learning more about how circulation problems develop, you may also want to read our blog Everything You Need to Know About Vein Health, which explains how healthy veins function and what causes common vein conditions.

What Causes Spider Veins, and When Should You Treat Them?

Spider veins form when the capillaries, arterioles or venules weaken and expand. This can occur due to hormonal changes, connective tissue diseases, genetic syndromes or direct trauma. You may have an increased risk of spider veins if you meet any of these criteria:

• You have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
• You sit or stand in one place for long periods.
• You’re pregnant, using hormonal birth control or using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve menopause symptoms.
• You smoke or have a history of smoking.
• Your close family members have spider veins or other vein problems.
• You spend a lot of time in the sun.

You may want to consider spider vein removal if your damaged veins are causing pain, burning or itching. Some people seek treatment because they want to feel better about how they look. No matter why you’re interested in treatment, it’s important to seek care from an experienced vein doctor in Atlanta.

Common Lifestyle Factors That Contribute to Spider Veins

1. Prolonged sitting or standing. Jobs that require long hours in one position can increase pressure in the veins.
2. Limited physical activity. Movement helps circulation and prevents blood from pooling in the legs.
3. Weight gain. Extra weight increases pressure on the veins and circulation system.
4. Hormonal changes. Pregnancy, menopause and certain medications can affect vein strength.
5. Sun exposure. Damage to the skin and blood vessels can contribute to spider vein formation.

The Leading Spider Vein Treatment at Atlanta Medical Clinic: VENCLOSE™

VENCLOSE™ is the only spider vein treatment offered at Atlanta Medical Clinic because it’s the most effective and has the shortest recovery time. VENCLOSE™ is a non-surgical procedure that uses radiofrequency ablation to shrink spider veins and seal them shut. This redirects blood to healthy veins, ensuring it can flow back to your heart instead of pooling in your legs and feet.

The VENCLOSE™ system comes with a dual heating element, reducing the amount of time it takes to treat spider veins. This feature also allows us to reposition the catheter less often, making the procedure even safer for patients. Best of all, VENCLOSE™ is highly effective. In a study led by Gennady Vulakh of NYU Perelman School of Medicine, only four out of 405 patients needed additional interventions 1 year after their VENCLOSE™ procedures.

What to Expect During and After Spider Vein Treatment

VENCLOSE™ isn’t a surgical procedure, so there’s no need for general anesthesia. However, we’ll numb the procedure area to ensure you’re comfortable. When you’re ready to begin, your vein doctor in Atlanta will insert a needle, a guidewire and a radiofrequency catheter into the treatment site. The guidewire helps us advance the catheter safely. Finally, we use the VENCLOSE™ system to deliver targeted radiofrequency energy to the damaged capillaries, arterioles and venules. This seals your spider veins, preventing them from causing any further symptoms.

Once we administer local anesthesia, you shouldn’t feel anything other than slight pressure at the treatment site. We typically recommend that you wear compression stockings to reduce swelling and pain. Although you have to take it easy after your procedure, you don’t have to wait for months to recover like you would if you had surgery. After the procedure, you may notice immediate relief from pain and itching. However, it typically takes some time to notice an improvement in the appearance of your skin. This is completely normal.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Spider Vein Removal?

You may be a good candidate for spider vein removal if you don’t have deep vein thrombosis and you’re capable of walking without assistance. You should also wait at least 3 months after pregnancy or surgery to have the VENCLOSE™ procedure.

FAQs

Are spider veins the same as varicose veins?
No. Spider veins are smaller and closer to the surface of the skin, while varicose veins are larger and often appear swollen or twisted.

Do spider veins go away on their own?
Spider veins rarely disappear without treatment. In many cases, they gradually become more visible over time.

Is spider vein removal painful?
Most patients report minimal discomfort during VENCLOSE™ treatment because local anesthesia is used to numb the area.

How long does spider vein treatment take?
The procedure is typically completed in less than an hour, depending on the number of veins being treated.

Can spider veins come back after treatment?
The treated veins do not return, but new spider veins can form in the future due to genetics, lifestyle factors or aging.

When should I see a vein specialist?
You should consider visiting a vein specialist if your spider veins cause pain, itching, burning or if they are becoming increasingly visible.

Why Atlanta Medical Clinic Is a Trusted Choice for Vein Care

Atlanta Medical Clinic is the most trusted choice for spider vein removal and other types of vein care. One reason patients trust us so much is because we use advanced technology like VENCLOSE™ to minimize complications and shorten recovery times. When you come to our vein clinic in Atlanta, you can rest easy knowing that we’re committed to relieving your pain without invasive procedures.

We also have experienced specialists who are ready to treat you with compassion. Several patients have commented that they appreciate the professionalism and expert knowledge of our staff members. When you put our trust in Atlanta Medical Clinic, we do everything in our power to keep you comfortable and help you reach your treatment goals.

Finally, we offer personalized care to every patient. This allows us to deliver effective treatments that can improve your quality of life. Schedule a consultation today to find out how we can help you get rid of unsightly spider veins without surgery.