Varicose veins affect around 60 per cent of people and spider veins – those tiny red lines that appear in a spider-web pattern – plague even more people.

But what exactly are they? What causes them? And, more importantly, how do you make them disappear? Read on to find out.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are blood vessels that have become swollen and twisted. Blue in colour, they bulge out from under the skin. They can occur anywhere on the body but are most often found on the legs.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are much smaller blood vessels that are visible through the skin. They are red in colour and are most common on the face and legs.

Why do we get spider and varicose veins?

Blood normally flows in one direction, with valves and muscles preventing backflow. A problem with the valves or surrounding muscles can cause blood to flow backwards and pool inside the vein. When this happens, pressure builds and the wall of the blood vessel weakens, causing veins to twist and bulge. Spider veins or varicose veins are then formed, depending on the size of the blood vessel and the amount of blood that pools.

What causes this weakening in the valves?

Why some people get varicose and spider veins and others don’t is not entirely clear. However, there are various risk factors –

  • Genetics – if other members of your family suffer the problem, it is more likely that you will, too
  • Hormones, puberty, pregnancy and menopause can all weaken the valves, as can hormones from birth control pills and HRT
  • Standing – people who stand for long periods of time are more at risk of developing varicose veins
  • Obesity – being overweight can make it more likely that you will develop varicose veins
  • Age – you are more likely to develop varicose and spider veins as you get older

Symptoms and complications

It is not only the appearance of varicose and spider veins that makes them a problem for some people. The condition can be uncomfortable, and many sufferers experience throbbing, burning, tingling or a heavy feeling. Circulation can be affected, leading to itching and swelling. Skin can become discoloured or even ulcerated.

How do we get rid of them?

There are a number of treatments for eliminating spider and varicose veins, but the one we recommend, and the most successful is sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy is a highly skilled procedure that involves the injection of a solution directly into the affected vein. This destroys the blood vessel, which eventually disappears.

Our doctor, Pedro Lloret Luna, uses ultrasound sclerotherapy, which allows for even more accurate and successful results. Ultrasound technology is used to precisely guide the tiny injections. It is so accurate that even hidden varicose and spider veins that could become a problem in the future are treated. Treatment is quick and almost painless.

How long does it take for veins to disappear?

Spider veins disappear three to six weeks after ultrasound sclerotherapy, while varicose veins take three to four months.

Varicose vein treatment can completely eliminate unsightly and often uncomfortable varicose veins.

Here we see spider veins have almost vanished after treatment.

Ultrasound is used to guide the needle and to accurately target hidden varicose and spider veins.

Spider, or thread, veins on the face respond well to treatment.

Spider veins commonly appear on and around the nose. Ultrasound sclerotherapy can eliminate most of these veins.

Free consultation

If you have varicose or spider veins and would like to know more about treatment, book a free consultation with us today. Call 966 860 258 or fill in the form on the right.

Meet our new dermatologist

We are delighted to welcome a new member to the Medcare family – Dr Pedro Lloret Luna. Dr Lloret is an experienced dermatologist who heads Dermatology Alicante, a private clinic based at Medimar hospital in Alicante. By teaming up with Dr Lloret, we are now able to offer dermatologist consultations and treatments at our clinics in Benijofar