Many women are bothered by clusters of red, blue or purple veins that appear on the thighs, calves and ankles. There are many factors that cause these veins, known as telengiectasias to develop including heredity, pregnancy, obesity, prolonged standing and sitting and hormonal influences. They usually develop after age 30 and increase from there.

Spider veins or telengiectasias of the legs take on one of three shapes; spider shape with a group of veins radiating out from the center, barbarizing (sunburst appearing) like a tree, or linear. Varicose veins are larger, darker in color and usually bulging.

Treatment options for spider veins include sclerotherapy which involves the injection of specialized solutions to collapse the veins and laser therapy. Very often a treatment regimen consists of both procedures.

Vein Gallery