Those fine red, blue, or purple lines that sit just beneath the surface of the skin are spider veins and they are incredibly common. While they rarely indicate a serious medical issue, many people want them treated for cosmetic reasons, especially when they appear on the legs, face, or chest.
At the Vein Institute of NJ at The Cardiovascular Care Group, we spend a lot of time helping patients overcome varicose veins, but cosmetic spider vein treatment deserves its own conversation. With several effective options available, it’s helpful to understand the differences so you know what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
Spider veins develop when tiny veins dilate or become damaged due to factors such as genetics, hormones, pregnancy, sun exposure, or prolonged standing. In most cases, they’re harmless, but if you also have heaviness, aching, swelling, or bulging veins, it may be recommended to get an ultrasound to rule out underlying venous insufficiency before cosmetic treatment.
Injection sclerotherapy is the most common and most effective treatment for spider veins—particularly on the legs. It involves injecting a small amount of a medical solution (sclerosant) directly into the visible vein.
The sclerosant irritates the vein lining, causing the vessel walls to seal shut and eventually fade as the body absorbs it.
Injection sclerotherapy delivers predictable, reliable outcomes for the majority of spider veins and remains the first-line treatment for leg veins.
Foam sclerotherapy uses the same medication as injection sclerotherapy, but mixed with air to create a foam consistency.
The foam fills the vein more completely than a liquid injection, making it especially useful for veins that are slightly larger or appear in concentrated clusters.
Foam can provide enhanced results for veins that liquid sclero may not fill fully. It’s not necessary for all cases, but it’s an excellent tool when appropriate.
Laser therapy treats spider veins by sending light energy through the skin to target tiny blood vessels.
Laser treatment is ideal when veins are too small to insert a needle into, which often occurs in delicate areas such as:
At the Vein Institute of NJ at The Cardiovascular Care Group, laser therapy is performed only in our Morristown office and is used selectively. We do not position laser treatment as better than sclerotherapy. It’s just different and best reserved for certain types of veins or anatomic areas.
Patients with tiny facial veins, fine telangiectasias, or veins in sensitive, needle-unfriendly areas.
The best treatment depends on:
Most patients respond best to injection sclerotherapy, with or without foam. Laser is an excellent supplemental option for extremely fine or delicate veins—especially on the face.
A personalized consultation is always the first step. This ensures your provider selects the right modality (or combination of treatments) to achieve the clearest, most natural-looking results.
Spider veins may be small, but they can have a big impact on your confidence. Whether you’re looking to treat leg veins, facial vessels, or tiny clusters that keep returning, our team at the Vein Institute of NJ at The Cardiovascular Care Group can help you choose the most effective option.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today and let our vascular specialists guide you toward smoother, clearer skin.