Summer fun usually includes showing some skin in shorts, skirts and swimsuits and wearing less makeup, but those suffering from spider veins and related vascular issues including rosacea may be apprehensive about exposing flushed areas of skin that exhibits dilated threads, webs, and clusters of purplish-red, spider veins.

“Those with spider veins or telangiectasias, as they’re technically called, are usually delighted by the effects of medical treatments such as sclerotherapy injections and non-invasive, non ablative, KTP and Nd: YAG laser treatments to remove and improve the appearance of spider veins as well as slightly larger, underlying reticular veins to create a clearer, more even, skin tone,” says Dr. Wei Jing Loo, a dermatologist at Derm Effects in London.

Loo notes that rosacea, which is also treatable, is a common contributing factor to facial telangiectasias.

Spider veins and related venous issues are caused by genetics and other factors including lengthy periods of standing, sun exposure, or extreme heat and may also result from hormonal and post pregnancy factors.

“Spider and related vein issues affect women and men of all ages but are especially prevalent and apparent in women aged 30 to 65 with thinner, lighter, more translucent skin,” says Chassidy Pazitny, a laser technician and medical esthetician at Derm Effects.

According to Pazitny, spider veins don’t disappear without treatment, but are successfully eliminated by non-invasive laser treatments and in some cases, with sclerotherapy injections that specifically target non-functional, unsightly blood vessels.

Depending upon the number of spider veins being treated, four to six, 15- to 45-minute treatment sessions scheduled about a month apart are recommended.

“Most patients report feeling some slight heat and a pinging, prickly sensation during treatment and spider vein removal. Most find that they can return to most daily activities almost immediately, experiencing only slight swelling, bruising and discolouration at the treatment sites,” notes Pazitny.

It usually takes two to four weeks for the treated veins to completely disappear.

The usual post leg vein treatment protocol is to keep one’s legs elevated at rest and to avoid intense physical activity, sun exposure, hot baths and to wear support stockings to help prevent recurring leg vein issues.