Do Spider Veins Come Back After Treatment?

By Dr. Jose Almeida

February 26, 2020


When deciding on spider vein treatment, one of the more important questions is if spider veins will return after they are treated. The short answer is yes, new spider veins will return after treatment, however the same old spider veins will not return. The full answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no, and this guide helps clarify exactly what can cause spider veins to come back and what you can do to help keep them away. 

"The same spider veins will not come back after treatment, however new spider veins can appear after treatment in the same area." - Dr. Almeida 

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New Spider Veins May Appear After Treatment. Why?

The spider veins that have been treated will usually completely or mostly disappear after treatment. The spider veins that have been treated won’t return, but new spider veins will appear over time, possibly in the same location or in a totally different location. The appearance of new spider veins is based on an individual’s genetic makeup and is not related to the treatment.

spider veins before and after treatment

Spider Veins Before and After Treatment Example

Can Spider Veins be Prevented from Recurring?

Due to the genetic predisposition to develop spider veins, there is no way to completely prevent spider veins from developing. Exercising, maintaining an appropriate weight, and eating a balanced diet are the best ways to try and prevent spider veins, as these factors along with genetics can increase the risk of developing spider veins or cause more diffuse amount of spider veins.

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What are Spider Veins?

Veins on the skin surface are small and provide blood supply to the skin. These veins can dilate and have a spider-looking appearance, hence the name spider veins. They can occur anywhere on the body, but tend to occur on the outside of the thighs and calves. Some people may only have 1-2 small spots and other people may have diffuse spider veins on their legs or body. 

What Causes Spider Veins to Develop?

But how does someone develop spider veins, what are the causes of spider veins? It’s all in our genes. If other family members have spider veins, you are more likely to develop spider veins due to this genetic predisposition. Spider veins are not dangerous and they are only of concern for cosmetic reasons, but many people decide to seek treatment for these veins due to this reason. There are a couple of options for treatment and often times more than 1 session may be necessary for successful treatment. 

Spider Vein Treatment Options

Treatment for spider veins has been similar over the last several years with both topical laser therapy and sclerotherapy as options. Laser therapy uses a specialized laser that is able to target the pigment changes on the skin from the spider vein, allowing for absorption by the body. Sclerotherapy uses a sclerosant chemical that is placed inside the vein, causing it to scar down on itself and be resorbed by the body. Both treatment options can be successful for spider veins, however, sclerotherapy is more effective, less painful, and less treatment time is needed for optimal results. Laser therapy can be painful due to the heat from the laser, more time is necessary to treat a single area, and lasers can cause skin hypopigmentation, particularly in those with darker skin tones. 

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About spider veins and how they form

Spider veins are much smaller veins that are located in the skin and provide direct blood supply to the skin. As spider veins are small veins, they don’t bulge on the skin, but only appear as a discoloration. Spider veins are typically not painful and are only seen as a cosmetic issue or a concern for worsening of venous disease due to their presence.

Summary on Spider Veins Coming Back after Treatment

Even though new spider veins may occur, even after having treatment for existing spider veins, remember there is no prediction for how long it may be and that it could in fact be years before these pesky veins reappear. Our genes predict everything, but living a healthy lifestyle and maintaining an appropriate weight may help to slow the progression of spider veins. 

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