What is spider vein removal (sclerotherapy)?

There are effective, safe and relatively painless methods available for reducing spider veins. The most common spider vein treatment involves the injection of a solution into each affected vein, causing the vein to collapse and fade. Laser treatments are also available for the reduction or removal of spider veins.

What are spider veins?

In some women, spider veins—those small clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves and ankles—become noticeable at a young age. For others, the veins may not become obvious until much later.

Causes of spider veins

A number of factors may contribute to the development of spider veins in the legs, including:

• Heredity
• Hormonal shifts
• Occupations or activities that require prolonged sitting or standing
• Pregnancy
• Weight fluctuation