The cause of reticular and spider veins is not known. However, studies show that approximately 25% have disease in bigger deeper veins that is not yet apparent and that treating the surface veins without controlling diseased deep veins leads to a poor outcome. For this reason, we advise that all patients with superficial cosmetic veins undergo ultrasound scanning to search for deeper disease.

Treatment of reticular and spider veins

Sclerotherapy »
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a "sclerosant" directly into each vein with very fine needles. The two sclerosants used are both detergents and act by washing away the lining of the vein allowing the two walls to stick together.

Superficial Laser Treatment »
This practice uses the KTP Aura Laser (532nm) for the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions found predominantly on the face. The Aura can treat:

• Broken capillaries,
• Rosacea,
• Haemangiomas,
• Pigmented lesions such as seborrheic keratosis, or
• Brown spots,

and may be effective fot treatment of:

• Facial flushing or
• Pigmentation post sclerotherapy.