Certain vascular conditions go hand in hand with aging; one common side effect is spider veins.

Spider veins and varicose veins form in areas where blood flow is poor. As a result, blood gets stuck there, making the vein visible from the surface, and sometimes causing discomfort. While spider veins aren’t dangerous, you may want to treat them for cosmetic reasons, or if they become painful. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce or remove spider veins using laser vein therapies.

Laser vein treatments are noninvasive and can reduce the size and appearance of spider veins and varicose veins. Sessions are quick, and most patients will see noticeable improvements after one treatment. There is recovery time needed in between treatments.

Laser vein treatment may be more effective in patients with light to medium skin tones, red or purple spider veins, or mild to light spider veins.

For some patients, laser vein therapy provides a desirable alternative to other treatment options. Sclerotherapy, for instance, involves injection of medication into spider veins to help seal them. Patients may prefer laser vein therapy if they’re allergic to sclerosing agents, if they are uncomfortable with needles, or if they have spider veins on the face. While sclerotherapy is more effective in treating larger spider veins, some patients still choose the laser route.