Spider veins (also known as thread veins, telengiectasia or broken veins) are the small yet unsightly clusters of pink and purple thread like veins that lie near the surface of the skin. They are commonly found in the leg but they can also appear in the face and other parts of the body. Click thumbnails below to see enlarge view of examples of Spider Veins.
WHAT ARE SPIDER VEINS?
WHAT CAUSES SPIDER VEINS?
A number of factors can make one prone to spider veins. These include:
- Heriditary factors.
- Pregnancy. This is by far the most potent cause of spider veins formation.
- Prolonged standing and sitting.
- High heel shoes that restrict calf muscle function and circulation.
- Sun exposure is well known to cause spider veins on the face especially around the nose.
DO SPIDER VEINS CAUSE PAIN?
Most patients do not complained of any discomfort but some may experience symptoms including:
- Aching.
- Tired legs.
- Heavy legs.
- Numbness and tingling around the veins.
- Cramps at night.
SHOULD I SEEK TREATMENT
Spider veins are not harmful to health and may not need to be treated. However there are various situation where treatment can have significant benefits to you
- When spider veins cause aches, pain and numbness and this affect your lifestyle.
- When the appearance bothers you and you are not able to dress the way you like.
- When there are associated tortuous blue looking veins that suggest you may also have underlying varicose veins.
WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE TREATMENTS FOR SPIDER VEINS?
Many form of treatments are on offer but not all of them are effective. Most clinics will offer some form of skin laser or light therapy in the hope of burning the tiny veins. However, unlike pigmentation or skin spots that are very suitable for such treatment, spider veins do not respond so well. There is a very good reason for this. Spider veins are like small streams that are connected to bigger river further up. Closing the small stream without first closing the river will just cause more streams to form. Skin Laser treatment can only hope to close the stream and not the river therefore often not effective.
HOW IS OUR TREATMENT DIFFERENT?
About 5-10% patients with Spider Veins may have underlying varicose veins problem. This is especially so if you also have concurrent blue and tortuous veins that may or may not be bulgy. Therefore for effective treatment, an Ultrasound examination maybe necessary to exclude this possibility. This examination is painless and can be performed in less than 10-15 minutes. During consultation, Dr. John Tan will assess your spider veins and if necessary, he will performed the Ultrasound examination during the same consultation and explain the finding to you real-time. Base on clinical examination and Ultrasound finding, he will decide on an individualize treatment regime that is best suited to your conditions. This usually involves combinations of foam sclerotherapy, injection sclerotherapy and ND Yag laser if necessary.
Read more about sclerotherapy.
DR TAN IN THE NEWS
Dr. Tan perform EVLT procedure Channel Newsasia 2009
Dr. John Tan featured in MediaCorp Channel 8 (早安您好)
Dr. John Tan featured in Channel NewsAsia Primetime Morning
Dr. John Tan featured on the Straits Times
Venaseal Treatment
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins (also known as thread veins, telengiectasia or broken veins) are the small yet unsightly clusters of pink and purple thread like veins that lie near the surface of the skin. They are commonly found in the leg but they can also appear in the face and other parts of the body. Click thumbnails below to see enlarge view of examples of Spider Veins.
What Causes Spider Veins?
A number of factors can make one prone to spider veins. These include:
- Heriditary factors.
- Pregnancy. This is by far the most potent cause of spider veins formation.
- Prolonged standing and sitting.
- High heel shoes that restrict calf muscle function and circulation.
- Sun exposure is well known to cause spider veins on the face especially around the nose.
Do Spider Veins Cause Pain?
Most patients do not complained of any discomfort but some may experience symptoms including:
- Aching.
- Tired legs.
- Heavy legs.
- Numbness and tingling around the veins.
- Cramps at night.
Should I Seek Treatment?
Spider veins are not harmful to health and may not need to be treated. However there are various situation where treatment can have significant benefits to you
- When spider veins cause aches, pain and numbness and this affect your lifestyle.
- When the appearance bothers you and you are not able to dress the way you like.
- When there are associated tortuous blue looking veins that suggest you may also have underlying varicose veins.
What Are The Available Treatments For Spider Veins?
Many form of treatments are on offer but not all of them are effective. Most clinics will offer some form of skin laser or light therapy in the hope of burning the tiny veins. However, unlike pigmentation or skin spots that are very suitable for such treatment, spider veins do not respond so well. There is a very good reason for this. Spider veins are like small streams that are connected to bigger river further up. Closing the small stream without first closing the river will just cause more streams to form. Skin Laser treatment can only hope to close the stream and not the river therefore often not effective.
How Is Our Treatment Different?
About 5-10% patients with Spider Veins may have underlying varicose veins problem. This is especially so if you also have concurrent blue and tortuous veins that may or may not be bulgy. Therefore for effective treatment, an Ultrasound examination maybe necessary to exclude this possibility. This examination is painless and can be performed in less than 10-15 minutes. During consultation, Dr. John Tan will assess your spider veins and if necessary, he will performed the Ultrasound examination during the same consultation and explain the finding to you real-time. Base on clinical examination and Ultrasound finding, he will decide on an individualize treatment regime that is best suited to your conditions. This usually involves combinations of foam sclerotherapy, injection sclerotherapy and ND Yag laser if necessary.
Read more about sclerotherapy.
Dr. Tan perform EVLT procedure Channel Newsasia 2009
Dr. John Tan featured in MediaCorp Channel 8 (早安您好)
Dr. John Tan featured in Channel NewsAsia Primetime Morning