Spider Veins
At Ramsay, we offer a range of treatment options for spider veins. Your consultant will advise on the best option for your individual needs.
Veinwave is the gold standard for spider vein removal as it offers immediate results without side effects and can be used on most skin types.
We offer convenient appointments for consultation and treatment of your spider veins so you can have your spider veins removed without waiting.
Spider vein removal is not available on the NHS for cosmetic reasons. Ramsay offers spider vein treatment for both cosmetic and medical reasons.
Our qualified doctors are highly experienced in performing spider vein removal procedures so you can rest assured you’re in safe and reliable hands.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins, also known as thread veins, are small, twisted blood vessels that appear in a spiderweb pattern through your skin often on your legs or face.
They are similar to varicose veins but smaller and caused in the same way when a one-way valve in your vein, that help your blood flow back to your heart, stops working properly and your vein swells as blood flows the wrong way.
Micro-sclerotherapy
The most common treatment for spider veins is micro-sclerotherapy. This non-surgical procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and involves injecting a special foam into your spider veins using a very fine needle under ultrasound guidance. The foam causes your spider veins to scar and seals them closed. It is usually completed in 15 to 20 minutes.
Laser treatment
Spider veins may also be treated with a laser whereby an intense pulsed light (IPL) is directed at your spider vein and destroys it through your skin. Your eyes will be protected during treatment. Small spider veins may disappear immediately after treatment. You may need more than one laser session for larger spider veins. Sometimes, laser therapy is used in combination with sclerotherapy.
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT)
EVLT involves inserting a thin catheter into your spider vein and passing laser energy through to burn and close the vein using ultrasound guidance. It can take up to an hour.
Veinwave
Veinwave is a revolutionary treatment for spider veins on your legs or face. It uses a thermo-coagulation process and produces immediate results with no side effects and can be used on most skin types.
A tiny tip probe is placed over your individual spider veins. The vein is then heated using microwaves that cause your vein to collapse and be permanently destroyed. Each treatment session usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes and most patients only need a few sessions for excellent results.
What are the benefits of spider veins treatment?
Spider vein surgery removes small veins that are unsightly or causing discomfort.
It produces a dramatic improvement in appearance allowing you to wear clothes that you may have been avoiding because of your spider veins.
Spider vein treatment can also eliminate any pain your spider veins may be causing and allow you to resume activities you may have been avoiding.
Spider vein treatment is generally effective in removing spider veins, has few complications, minimal pain during recovery and, leaves virtually no scars.
What is the cost of spider veins treatment?
The cost of spider vein treatment will depend on the treatment type you choose and the area being treated.
Your practitioner will advise you of the cost of treatment during your initial consultation.
Spider Veins recovery and aftercare
You will be given aftercare advice following your spider vein treatment based on the exact treatment you have had.
After these outpatient treatments you can usually resume your normal daily activities immediately.
You may see some bruising after micro-sclerotherapy and EVLT but this will pass.
With laser treatment you will need to protect your treated area from the sun and you may need to wear compression stockings afterwards.
Veinwave is the gold standard treatment for spider veins and you can expect no side effects.
