FAQ

The main reason why you may be noticing that you are developing spider or varicose veins is often a genetic predisposition or a hereditary trait that weakens your vein walls and valves, with a 60-80% chance of someone in your family having the same venous disorder. In addition, conditions such as a sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy or birth control, obesity, aging or long periods of inactivity during your day to day life can cause or accelerate the disease.

Each patient’s individual treatment needs are different. Treatment will depend on the number, size and location of the failing veins, as well as how fast you heal, and the level of cosmetic results you desire. After an initial consultation, we can give you a rough estimate of the number of treatments you will need.

If you have recently birthed a child, then you may be eligible for treatment, but we do not recommend venous treatment for pregnant women.

Lasers are used to treat veins within the outer fascia of the skin, but do not deliver consistent or satisfactory results for spider veins in the legs. Sclerotherapy remains the most optimal way to remove spider veins, but this can be combined with skin laser therapy known as Endolaser (EVLA, EVLT) or endovenous laser ablation treatment that will enhance the results of laser therapy.

Women are up to twenty times more likely to suffer from varicose or spider veins in their life time, but when men develop the condition, it is often far more painful. Traditionally, only surgical procedures such as ligation and stripping were available as treatment options, but as newer, less invasive procedures, such as Endovenous Laser Ablation, have been made possible, more men are seeking treatment for venous conditions.

We cannot treat your genetic predisposition to develop varicose or spider veins so that new veins may reappear in the same area or other areas. Usually, a touch-up treatment to remove new veins will be needed every 1-3 years.

Spider veins are more difficult to treat than varicose veins, so more than one treatment is required for you to see the desired results. When seeking sclerotherapy, we offer a discount that you can use at any point in order to have your spider veins treated. This means that if your spider veins come back, then you can resume treatment at your will.

No. You can be treated for your spider or varicose veins on a schedule that suits you. However, if you are a patient from out of town, then we can set up the appointment schedule that will allow you to maximize the time you have at our clinic. We recommend an intensive treatment schedule when possible so that you see the most optimal results straight away, reducing the chances of requiring additional treatments in the future.

Venous disease is progressive, which means that as time goes by, your condition will worsen. Without treatment, your veins will get worse and increase the chance of you requiring additional treatments. We advise that our patients seek treatment as soon as possible after developing spider or varicose veins. Given that you often require multiple treatments, the sooner you begin treating them, the more effective the results will be. You will also enjoy fewer complications and faster healing time.

The treatments and procedures performed for large varicose veins are covered by most insurance plans when deemed medically necessary (non-cosmetic). Spider veins are considered cosmetic and are not covered. Each insurance plan’s coverage is different and only upon receiving the claim will they make the final decision.

Endovenous laser ablation (Endolaser, EVLT) is the most effective treatment for varicose veins, often requiring only one treatment in order for them to disappear. However, you may need several treatments in order to take care of the additional smaller spider veins that may be present.