What Is The Cost Of Spider Vein Removal? Spider vein removal procedures are among the most popular aesthetic treatments performed today. They can be used to treat spider veins and other varicose veins, as well as to improve the appearance of skin, boost a patient’s self-confidence, and address underlying causes like poor circulation or other health concerns.

Spider vein removal procedures vary in their techniques and cost. For example, sclerotherapy requires injection of a solution into the vein; laser therapy uses light to destroy the blood vessels; dermatologists may recommend microsclerotherapy—which combines sclerotherapy with ultrasound technology to reduce bruising and swelling—or they may use surgical excision, which involves cutting out individual spider veins with a scalpel. The average cost of treating spider veins is around $1,000 per treatment session. When multiple sessions are necessary, this can quickly add up to thousands of dollars over time.

What Is The Cost Of Spider Vein Removal

Sclerotherapy and laser treatment are two of the most common ways to treat spider veins. Sclerotherapy tends to cost less than laser treatment per session, but overall costs can vary widely.

The two most common treatments for spider veins are sclerotherapy and laser therapy.

Sclerotherapy is the most common method for treating spider veins. It’s a minimally invasive method in which a solution is injected into the affected veins. The next common method is laser treatment. In the United States, one sclerotherapy or laser treatment session costs $300 to $400.

While sclerotherapy is considered less expensive than laser treatment, total costs can vary widely depending on the size of your spider veins and their location.

Here’s what to know about paying for spider vein removal treatment.

What’s the average cost?

According to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of sclerotherapy is about $413 per session. The average cost of a laser treatment session is about $312. These figures don’t include costs related to anesthesia, facilities, and other surgeon’s fees.

How many sessions will I need?

For most spider veins, you can expect to need at least a couple of sessions of sclerotherapy or laser treatment to make them disappear.

The exact number of sessions needed depends on the size of the spider vein and how far it’s spread. Smaller and more delicate veins, especially those on the face, may only require one or two sessions. Larger veins may need four or more sessions of either sclerotherapy or laser treatment.

Talk with your healthcare professional to get an estimate of how many sessions of either sclerotherapy or laser treatment you’ll likely need. Remember that this estimate may change depending on how your spider veins respond to the first treatment.

Will insurance cover it?

Spider vein removal is a cosmetic concern, so your insurance likely won’t cover it.

If the veins are large enough to be considered varicose veins, though, they may pose a potential health issue. In that case, your insurance may offer full or partial coverage.

Can I remove them myself?

While the internet is full of home remedies for spider veins, from apple cider vinegar to coffee scrubs, there’s no evidence that these approaches are effective for removing spider veins.

There are also numerous at-home laser treatment devices you can purchase. Most of them are geared toward laser hair removal, wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.

But these at-home devices aren’t as powerful as those used by healthcare professionals. While some people report noticing a mild improvement in the appearance of small spider veins after using these devices, they won’t do much for larger spider veins.

If you do attempt spider vein removal at home with one of these devices, be sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid complications like burns, swelling, or discoloration.

The bottom line

On average, spider vein removal costs $300 to $400 per session. You can expect to need one to four sessions of sclerotherapy or one to six sessions of laser treatment to remove the spider veins completely. Keep in mind that larger veins may require additional sessions.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins

Varicose vein treatment

It’s estimated that varicose veins will affect 20 percentTrusted Source of all adults at some point in their lives. The twisted, enlarged veins can frequently cause pain, itching, and discomfort. Medical procedures are now available to treat varicose veins, but if you want to avoid costly procedures, these home remedies might help.

Physical activity

Physical activity is a great first step in home treatment for varicose veins. The more you move, the better your blood circulates. The idea is to help the blood that gathers in the damaged veins move back to the heart.

Low-impact exercise that improves blood flow can help reverse the unhealthy qualities of varicose veins. Swimming, walking, cycling, yoga, and stretching are all beneficial as they circulate the blood and exercise the calf muscles without the danger of physical injury. Moderate exercise can also help with high blood pressure, one of the risk factors for varicose vein formation.

Dietary changes

Some foods can help improve vein health. These include:

Foods with fiber

Dietary fiber helps with healthy bowel function. It’s especially important to eat fiber if you tend to have constipation. The physical effort used to pass stool can create a strong internal abdominal pressure, which can aggravate the damaged vein valves.

Foods high in dietary fiber that you can add to your diet include:

• whole-grain foods
• wheat
• oats
• nuts
• flaxseed
• peas
• beans
• figs
• plums
• avocados
• tomatoes
• broccoli
• carrots
• artichokes
• cauliflower
• onions
• sweet potatoes

Foods with potassium

Potassium deficiency can cause water retention. This increases the volume of blood in your body and creates extra pressure on the vein valves.

Foods high in potassium to add to your diet include:

• yogurt
• almonds
• pistachios
• salmon
• tuna
• chicken
• white beans
• lentils
• dates
• oranges
• winter squash
• potatoes
• leafy vegetables
• beet greens

Foods with flavonoids

Flavonoids may help treat cardiovascular problems. They can help improve blood circulation, reduce arterial blood pressure, and relax blood vessels.

Foods high in bioflavonoids include:

• onions
• garlic
• bell peppers
• spinach
• broccoli
• cocoa
• grapes
• citrus fruits
• blueberries
• strawberries
• cherries
• apples

Herbal remedies

Some herbal medicines can help ease the symptoms of vein conditions. These herbal remedies come as oral dietary supplements or topical phlebotonics. One studyTrusted Source found that rutosides, Centella asiatica, and grape seed extract may have beneficial effects on chronic venous insufficiency symptoms such as swelling, cramping, or restless legs.

Rutosides

Also known as rutin, this bioflavonoid can be found in a variety of plants, such as:

• citrus fruits
• buckwheat
• apples
• St. John’s wort
• Gingko biloba

Rutin is considered an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic supplement. It also has vascular benefits. It can strengthen weak blood vessels and capillaries that are often a precursor to varicose veins. Rutin has been used as a treatment for spider veins and varicose veins, as well as for swelling in the calves and ankles. As a dietary supplement, rutin typically comes in tablets or capsules.

Centella asiatica

Also called Gotu kola, this perennial plant is native to Asia. Preclinical researchTrusted Source shows that Centella asiatica is effective at strengthening weakened veins. This helps treat venous insufficiency. The herb is usually taken in the form of tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts. It can also be applied topically as ointment or cream. This herb may interact with medications or other herbs. More studies are needed on its safety.

Grape seed extract

Grapes, grape leaves, and grape sap have been used in alternative medicine for centuries. ResearchTrusted Source suggests that grape seed extract can help treat the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. It can also reduce swelling. The studies are not conclusive and more research is necessary.

Grape seed contains vitamin E, flavonoids, and other compounds. As a dietary supplement, it is available in tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts. Grape seed extract can interact with blood thinners and increase the risk of bleeding. Do not take it if you are on these medications.

The bottom line

Home remedies and a healthy lifestyle can help relieve the symptoms of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. However, the research on most alternative treatments and herbal remedies is still ongoing. Official sources to back the efficiency of these treatments are scarce.

If you really dislike the appearance of varicose veins, medical treatments can reduce their appearance. If your varicose veins are no longer just a cosmetic issue and have become a health concern, talk to your doctor.

The Benefits of Compression Stockings for Varicose Veins

Varicose vein symptoms

Vein-related problems are becoming one of the more common chronic conditions in the United States.

About 40 percent of the US population may be affected by chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that can lead to more serious issues, including varicose veins. If you have chronic venous insufficiency, you typically experience heavy legs and swollen ankles at the end of the day. You may also experience pain or night cramps in your legs.

These symptoms occur when the valves in your veins become damaged, and it becomes difficult for blood to move up your legs toward your heart against gravity. The blood then starts pooling around your ankles and in your calves. With time, malfunctioning valves can result in varicose veins — twisted, rope-like veins of bluish or purple color, visible underneath your skin.

If venous conditions and related symptoms affect you, compression stockings might help.

Why you should use compression stockings

Compression stockings (or socks) are a special kind of elastic hosiery that supports healthy blood circulation and helps prevent a variety of health conditions, including:

• chronic venous insufficiency
• spider veins
• varicose veins

The pressure that these stockings put on your ankles and legs compresses the surface arteries and veins, helping the vein valves to function properly and blood to flow back to your heart without obstructions.

How to use the stockings

It’s extremely important to put on compression stockings in the morning, before you lower your legs and get out of the bed.

Sleeping in a horizontal position makes your vein valves function more effectively than when sitting or standing. In a vertical position, gravity kicks in and blood flow is compromised due to the damaged valves. That’s why your ankles and calves usually feel fine in the morning, and get swollen and heavy as the day progresses.

Putting on compression stockings in the morning will keep the valves in the right position to support healthy blood circulation in your legs during the day.

If you’ve already developed a vein-related condition, compression stockings can help alleviate symptoms such as:

• swollen ankles
• heavy or aching legs
• fatigue and pain
• restless legs
• night cramps

Research

Compression stockings can provide many benefits, especially in situations that aggravate venous conditions such as:

• prolonged standing or sitting
• traveling on a long flight or on other means of transportation with limited leg room
• pregnancy

A 2004 studyTrusted Source showed that calf-length compression stockings can reduce or prevent evening swelling. The researchers recommended that people who sit or stand for long periods of time in their profession should wear compression stockings.

How to choose the right compression level

You should always talk to your doctor to get advice about the right compression level. There are four main levels of compression:

• mild compression, which should be used if you have mild chronic venous insufficiency to support healthy blood flow so your legs can feel lighter
• moderate compression, which is more effective and is usually recommended once you’re experiencing symptoms of spider or varicose veins
• firm and extra firm compression, which are typically recommended by a doctor in more serious cases of various venous diseases, including deep vein thrombosis, leg ulcers, and lymphatic edema

How to choose the right size

Choosing the right size for compression stockings is crucial to feel as comfortable as possible and to take advantage of all the benefits of the elastic hosiery. To ensure the proper fit, you’ll need to take measurements. Here are a few tips:

• Take measurements of your legs before you get out of bed in the morning or even lower your legs.
• For knee-high socks, measure the narrowest part of your ankles and the widest part of your calves. Then sit up on your bed, placing your feet on the floor and bending your knees so your legs form a 90-degree angle. Take the measurement between the bent knee of each leg and the floor.
• For thigh-high stockings, start the same as taking measurements for knee-high socks. Continue by standing up and measuring your thighs under your buttocks. Finally, measure the distance between your buttocks and the floor.

Taking these measurements can sometimes be tricky, so don’t be afraid to ask for help or talk to your doctor when in doubt.

How to take care of compression stockings

Taking proper care of your compression stockings isn’t difficult. But there are a few things to keep in mind to make them last as long as possible without losing their strength and benefits:

• Use cold or mild temperature water.
• Hand-wash your stockings instead of using a washing machine.
• Don’t use fabric softener — only soap or mild detergent.
• Never use a dryer. Hang your stockings to dry instead.

Compression socks and stockings might not always prevent varicose veins from developing. However, they can function as a great supportive mechanism for a healthy blood flow and keep bothersome symptoms at bay, especially when worn on a long-term basis.

You should always discuss using compression stockings with your doctor.