Unwanted and unattractive blood vessels called spider veins have a red or bluish color. They appear mostly on the legs, occasionally on the face or elsewhere.

They can be short, unconnected lines each about the size of a large hair. They may be connected in a scraggly, "sunburst" pattern. They may also look like a spider web or a tree with branches. Sometimes, they occur in a small area and aren't very noticeable. Or they can cover a large area of skin and be quite unattracitve.

Larger unwanted blood vessels may be raised above the skin surface. They may occur along with spider veins. These large veins are called varicose veins.

Some people with unwanted blood vessels suffer from occasional pain, ranging from a dull throbbing pain to a burning sensation.

Though unwanted blood vessels may carry blood, the great majority of them, especially spider veins, are not necessary. If they are unsightly or uncomfortable, they can be treated by injection of a solution that will cause them to disappear or become much smaller. There is about a 90 percent chance for a greatly improved appearance.

The cause of spider veins is not known. In many cases they seem to run in families. Identical twins may be affected in the same area of the body and to the same extent. The condition can occur as part of a large number of different diseases.

Spider veins are found both in men and women, but appear more frequently in women. The hormones Estrogen and Progesterone may play a role in their development. Puberty, birth control pills, pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy often seem to bring them on. They may also appear after an injury or as a result of wearing tight girdles or hosiery held up with tight rubber bands. Spider veins may also occur along with large varicose veins.

Spider veins that tend to occur on the nose or the cheeks of fair skinned persons may be related to sun exposure.

Spider veins can't always be prevented. Wearing support hose may prevent some unwanted blood vessels from developing in some people. Keeping one's weight at a normal level and exercising regularly may also be helpful. Eating a high-fiber diet and wearing low-heeled shoes can also help. Sun protection is important to limit the number of unwanted vessels on the face.

In the majority of cases a procedure called sclerotherapy is used to treat unwanted blood vessels. A solution, called a sclerosing solution, is injected with a very fine needle directly into the blood vessel. This procedure has been used for spider veins since the 1930's and before that for larger veins. The solution irratates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together and the blood to clot.

Over a period of weeks, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades, eventually becoming barely noticeable or invisible.

A single blood vessel may have to be injected more than once, some weeks apart, depending on its size. In any one treatment session a number of vessels can be injected.

The solutions are slightly different depending on the size of the vessel
to be injected. Dr. Kest will decide the solution that is right for your
particular case.

After several treatments, most patients can expect a 50 percent to 90 percent improvement. However, the fading process is gradual. Total disappearance of spider veins is usually achieved.

Yes. All skin types and skin colors respond equally well.

New lasers may hold promise for treating blood vessels, but currently vessels in the legs do not respond uniformly to laser treatment.

Surgically tying veins off (ligation) or pulling them out (stripping) are other procedures for treating unwanted blood vessels. They are usually reserved for large varicose veins.

There are several ways to treat spider veins on the face. Lasers have been used successfully, alone or in combination with electric needle therapy.