Spider veins or telangiectasis: remove or treat?

The expansion of intradermal capillaries is not only an aesthetic defect, it is a serious “bell” that your vascular system of the lower extremities has problems. They may be associated with hereditary disorders of blood circulation and fragility of the walls of blood vessels. Secondary signs may include age, excess weight, pregnancy and other risk factors. You cannot make a diagnosis yourself; at the first appearance of a “pattern,” you should immediately consult a phlebologist for timely treatment.

Spider veins on the legs, what are they?

Spider veins,

This is what people call varicose capillaries or, scientifically, telangiectasis. The appearance of spider veins and reticular varicose veins on the legs does not always lead to deterioration in health. Some, even leading, specialists in Moscow and the Moscow region attribute them to direct manifestations of varicose veins. And in the modern international classification, spider veins and reticular veins belong to the first class CEAP.

There are several options for the manifestation of spider veins on the lower extremities. These are linear, arachnid, tree-like and point stars.

Several options for spider veins

If patients turn to a good phlebologist at the Moscow City Phlebological Center in the initial stages of the disease, then the problem is more of an aesthetic rather than a medical nature. And there is no point in resorting to serious interventions. Removing spider veins and small reticular veins is quite simple using various innovative sclerotherapy techniques: microsclerotherapy, Foam-form sclerotherapy, microthermocoagulation or ozonosclerotherapy

. Which method will be more preferable will be determined by the phlebologist after examination and modern consultation. In any case, the best result is important to you, and if the doctor knows all the innovative ways to remove stars, then what he prefers for you will most likely not be so important.

Spider veins do not develop clinical symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (heaviness, fatigue, cramps and swelling). They do not cause complications in the form of thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and trophic ulcers. But they are harbingers of varicose veins and spoil the aesthetic appearance of the legs. Therefore, before removing spider veins, a good ultrasound scan of the great veins is necessary to rule out a more serious medical venous problem. And then, whether you want to remove them or leave them is a purely personal matter.

Most often, when spider veins have just appeared, patients try to remove them with various folk remedies, as well as with the help of ointments, creams and tablets. But seeing the result, or rather the lack thereof, they turn to an aesthetic phlebologist in Moscow.

Characteristic

Spider veins are dilations of the capillaries of blood vessels. On the face they appear in the area of ​​the nose and cheeks. Spider veins are also called telangiectasia.

According to studies, more than 90% of the world's population are “owners” of telangiectasia, which, in turn, combines all types of vascular dilatation on the human body.

The name vascular network appeared due to the fact that dilated capillaries become quite noticeable on the body and form the appearance of a mesh. It is worth noting that such expansion of capillaries does not form without reason. This disease mainly affects women in labor and young mothers; telangiectasia can also be a consequence of a disease such as venous insufficiency.

In the course of the studies, it was revealed that the appearance of the vascular network is not affected by any individual factors or diseases. It has become known that those who are susceptible to chronic varicose veins may not have vascular networks on their body. Thus, we can conclude that the vascular network is not the cause or consequence of any individual diseases, it is a separate problem of the body in each specific case and is often caused by hormonal imbalance.

Causes of spider veins or telangiectasis

Spider veins or telangiectasis appear on the lower extremities due to several reasons. The leading one is long-term static loads on the legs. Simply put, the longer a woman is in an upright position, the greater the load on the vessels. And the asterisks refer to the venous system, which does not have a muscular membrane. Consequently, with a significant increase in the load on the legs, the venous capillaries expand, and this leads to the appearance of unsightly stars.

Other leading medical factors that contribute to the rapid appearance of stars are: pregnancy, especially in the last stages and childbirth (sharp changes in hormonal levels), high heels and uncomfortable shoes, uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs (especially long-term use of contraceptives), excess weight, diseases leading to to hormonal imbalance (uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis), and the most important reason is a hereditary (genetic) predisposition to spider veins (their presence in mothers and grandmothers).

Which is better: sclerotherapy or laser coagulation?

These methods are not opposed, but rather complement each other. Larger vessels are better removed by sclerotherapy (it is easier to puncture them with a needle and inject the drug, there is less chance of rupture of the vein during injection, correctly administered sclerosant in the form of foam almost 100% leads to gluing of the vascular network). A small vascular network is difficult to treat with sclerotherapy due to technical reasons (the diameter of the vessels of the network can be comparable to the diameter of the needle). And for percutaneous laser coagulation, this is an advantage, since it is easier to heat and “seal” such a vessel with a laser without the possibility of burning the overlying skin. Thus, first, large vessels are removed using sclerotherapy, and then small ones are “reached” with a laser.

Modern methods for removing spider veins

Sclerotherapy is today the best European way to remove spider veins on the legs, and its microfoam form Foam-form sclerotherapy is also absolutely ideal, and also safe. Of course, if it is carried out by a good experienced Moscow aesthetic phlebologist.

Before a microsclerotherapy session for spider veins

Immediately after a microsclerotherapy session for spider veins

Modern sclerotherapy has no absolute contraindications, unlike laser methods for treating spider veins. The microsclerotherapy procedure involves inserting a special adhesive substance, a sclerosant, through a very thin needle into an expanded star, which seals the affected capillary firmly and permanently. After a few weeks, the star completely dissolves, and not a trace remains on the skin. The lifestyle remains virtually unchanged during treatment. The only and main condition for treatment is the need to wear good compression hosiery, which maintains the required level of pressure and prevents the stars from coming apart.

Microsclerotherapy techniques used in the Moscow City

At the Moscow City Phlebology Center we use only the most modern types of microsclerotherapy (scleroobliteration of veins).

Sclerosants for microsclerotherapy

• Telangiectasia (spider veins), diameter up to 1 mm, are removed using a liquid form of the drug: polidocanol (0.25 - 0.75%), tetradecyl sulfate (0.1 - 0.2%).
• To remove venulectasias (diameter 1-2 mm) and reticular veins (2-4 mm), both microsclerotherapy solution and microfoam sclerotherapy (foam-form) are used. Concentration of active substance: polidocanol - 0.5-1%, sodium tetradecyl sulfate - 0.25-0.4%.

Prevention of spider veins on the legs in Moscow

To prevent spider veins from appearing, or, if they do appear, to not grow so sharply and increase in size, several important conditions must be met. Avoid uncomfortable shoes, do not wear high-heeled shoes very often, and do not expose your feet to sudden temperature changes or direct sunlight. Get rid of excess weight and do not take hormonal medications without a doctor's prescription. Take daily walks, wear special compression garments when putting stress on your legs, and take a contrast shower before bed.

I hope this simple prevention against spider veins will help you.

Risk group

Phlebologists at risk for the formation of spider veins include:

• women (80% of cases are female);
• overweight people;
• persons over 80 years of age;
• people leading a passive lifestyle;
• patients whose daily activities involve severe physical activity and carrying heavy objects;
• people who spend a lot of time on their feet;
• patients forced to take hormonal drugs for a long time.

How much does it cost to remove spider veins in Moscow

Despite the fact that cosmetologists in many beauty salons perform spider vein removal, they should only be removed in a specialized medical phlebological center. Only the best aesthetic phlebologists will be able to rid you of stars effectively, professionally and without any complications.

The price for spider vein removal in Moscow phlebology clinics and beauty salons can vary significantly. It depends on how you remove them. The cost of modern European removal of spider veins in our Moscow phlebology center, where leading aesthetic phlebologist Artem Yuryevich Semenov receives treatment, is 8,000 rubles for a single session.

If a very large amount of work needs to be done, then a course of treatment is possible, which costs 35,000 rubles and does not depend on the number of sessions performed.

After removing blood vessels on the face with laser

The condition of the skin after laser treatment depends on many factors. Typically, there will be redness and slight swelling, especially if a large area is treated. When touching the skin, discomfort is possible, which lasts from several hours to 1-2 days. The sensations after a cosmetologist’s work are similar to those that occur after excessively long exposure to the sun. Therefore, you should not plan any activities for the period after the procedure. During this period, it is important to rest and recover.

To relieve discomfort, you can apply a cold compress to the treated area. However, you cannot use ice in this case. In addition, during the recovery period, it is advisable to sleep with your head on an elevation so as not to increase tissue swelling.

After a week, the skin may darken and bluish-purple spots may appear. This is a normal recovery process, so don't be alarmed. You just need to be prepared for the fact that during the recovery period you will have to stay at home, avoiding social events. The use of makeup is also undesirable.

Skin care during the recovery period. Until the skin is completely restored, special care will be required. The doctor will select the specific drug. As a rule, a vaseline-based emollient ointment, such as Aquaphor, is prescribed. It is also necessary to use moisturizers and sunscreens. To avoid complications, it is not recommended to go out in the sun without UV protection for at least a month. It is advisable to select clothing that will protect the treated area from radiation.

Reviews about removing spider veins on the legs

I would like to express my deep gratitude to the chief physician and founder of the Center for Modern Phlebology clinic, Artem Yuryevich Semenov!
To the high professionalism of the doctor, add his sensitivity, attentiveness and caring attitude towards the patient, as well as his sense of humor. I had sclerotherapy sessions at his clinic. The doctor removed my so-called spider veins, which so ruin the lives of women! It took me a long time to decide to come. But a friend who already...More details Elena Maksimova, Moscow

I, Tikhomirova Natalya Vasilyevna, express my heartfelt gratitude to the doctor phlebologist Artem Yuryevich Semenov for his skill, professionalism, golden hands, attentiveness and for the miracles that happened to my legs during such a short course of sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is an excellent method of treating spider veins that does not take much time, does not cause discomfort, and does not interfere with everyday life. Tikhomirova Natalya Vasilievna, December 23, 2020, Moscow More details

Tikhomirova Natalya Vasilievna, December 23, 2020, Moscow