Treating Spider Veins on Legs

• 11 September 2024
• Dr Zil Yassine

Last updated on September 11, 2024

Do you want to treat the spider veins on your legs? While these veins aren’t dangerous, many patients may find them unsightly. So, here are your treatment options. 

Leg spider veins: how are they different?

Generally, leg spider veins are larger and have branches that sit deeper than, for example, facial spider veins. Hence, leg veins usually require lasers with higher wavelengths or sclerotherapy injections to treat properly. 

Treating spider veins on legs: your options

Nd:YAG laser

This laser type has a wavelength of 1064nm, letting it penetrate deeper into the skin to target leg spider vein clusters. It works by heating the veins, making them shrink and seal. Once the vein is sealed, your body will absorb it. As a topical treatment, you will not need ANY injections, incisions, or stitches. 

Pulsed Diode Laser

Pulsed diode lasers have a wavelength of 800-900nm, making them suitable for leg veins. They work similarly to Nd:YAG, heating the target veins to seal them shut.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosant into the spider vein. The sclerosant (typically a solution made of Polidocanol, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, hypertonic saline solutions, Dextrose, or Aethoxysclerol) irritates the vein walls and makes them seal shut.

CLaCS

CLaCS (Cryo Laser and Cryo Sclerotherapy) combines sclerotherapy injections with a transdermal laser. We use the laser to seal tiny spider veins near the skin surface. For larger, deeper veins, we then inject Dextrose or Aethoxysclerol solution.

Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous Laser Treatment (also known as Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA) involves inserting a laser fibre into the vein, heating it, and sealing it shut. However, EVLA is often reserved for varicose veins, as the laser fibre can’t fit through most spider veins.

Learn more about laser treatment for spider veins: Laser Spider Vein Removal: What You Need to Know

Do home remedies work? 

Home remedies like vein creams, massage, and compression stockings may relieve some symptoms and temporarily reduce the appearance of the veins, but they are not a long-term solution. Spider veins are blown-up veins, often with faulty valves. And unfortunately, home remedies will not address the underlying valve malfunction or repair the vein. The only way to be rid of them is through professional treatment.

There are some home treatments like blue light therapy and saline injections, but we recommend avoiding these. Blue light therapy is typically used for skin conditions like acne. Although it’s not dangerous to use yourself, the light doesn’t have a high enough wavelength to target spider leg veins. 

You should also NEVER inject saline solution yourself. It is very easy for non-specialists to miss veins, get the solution ratio wrong, or even cause an infection. 

Keep in mind that professional spider vein treatments are non to minimally invasive and don’t require a long recovery. You will generally only need 2-3 treatments to see the best results. 

Treating spider veins on legs: the takeaway 

If you want to treat your leg veins, there are plenty of options available. At Spider Veins Australia, we offer CLaCS, sclerotherapy, and Nd:YAG, letting us target complicated spider vein clusters and ensure the best results. Book your consultation today by filling out the form below.

About The Author

Dr Zil Yassine

Dr Zil Yassine is a practising doctor of over 15 years and an expert in non-invasive varicose vein treatments. Zil is dedicated and passionate about vascular health and staying up-to-date on the latest technology. Providing patients with the best care is Zil’s number one priority. As the Medical Director of The Vein Institute, he’s responsible for training doctors to diagnose vein diseases and ensuring they perform treatments to the highest standard. Dr Zil proudly holds a Bachelor of Medicine (UNSW), Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Phlebology (ACP), and is a fellow of FRACGP, F(Phleb UK).