Spider Vein Treatment

Spider veins are small, threadlike clusters of red, blue or purplish veins that often appear on the legs or face. While generally harmless, they can make it difficult to feel confident in your appearance. At Fox Valley Plastic Surgery, we offer numerous treatment options for eliminating spider veins, helping you achieve clearer skin with a personalized approach tailored to you.

Book Now

Spider Vein Treatment: Key Details

Procedure Time: 15-45 minutes, depending on treatment and area
Anesthesia: Not required
Recovery: Little to no downtime
Results: Progressive fading over 3-6 weeks
Number of Sessions: Typically 1-4, depending on treatment type

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins, also called telangiectasias, are small, damaged blood vessels that sit near the surface of the skin. They appear as thin, web-like clusters and are commonly found on the face or legs, with colors ranging from pale red to deep purple depending on vessel size and depth.

Spider veins develop when tiny blood vessels (capillaries) weaken and expand, often due to genetics, prolonged standing, hormonal changes or sun exposure. Most spider veins are asymptomatic, although some may experience mild itching or a feeling of heaviness in affected areas. For most people who seek treatment, the primary motivation is cosmetic.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Healthy circulation relies on a complex network of arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, while veins bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart. In some areas of the body, particularly the legs, this system requires the veins to work against gravity. One-way valves in the veins are nature’s solution to gravity, preventing blood from flowing backward and pooling in the lower extremities.

Excess pressure on the venous system can weaken these valves and allow blood to backflow, forcing the vein to stretch and weaken. When affected blood vessels are larger and deeper, the result is varicose veins. When the smaller, superficial capillaries are damaged, it causes the appearance of spider veins.

Key risk factors of spider veins include:

Aging
Genetics
Prolonged sitting or standing
Obesity
Hormonal changes
Sun exposure
Gender (women are more likely to develop spider or varicose veins)

Healthy lifestyle habits, like maintaining a healthy weight, limiting sun exposure, wearing compression stockings and improving vascular strength through exercise, can lower your risk of developing spider veins. For spider veins that do appear on the face or legs, Fox Valley Plastic Surgery is an IAC-accredited vein center with a wide range of treatment options, from sclerotherapy and RF ablation to the most advanced lasers for rosacea and facial veins.

Spider Vein Treatments at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments for spider veins. It involves injecting a sclerosant solution directly into the affected vein, causing it to collapse and seal shut. Over the following weeks, the treated vein fades as the body gradually absorbs it.

It’s an effective option for small to medium-sized leg veins, works well on clusters, and can reach veins at varying depths. Most patients need between two and four sessions for optimal clearance, with visible improvement beginning three to six weeks after treatment.

Veinwave™

Veinwave uses thermocoagulation to eliminate small spider veins on the face and legs. It works by delivering microwave energy through a tiny needle to heat and shrink targeted blood vessels. Veinwave is particularly effective for spider veins that are too small for sclerotherapy, but can also treat rosacea and fine thread veins that develop on the cheeks or nose.

Ruby BBL™

Ruby BBL (BroadBand Light™) uses targeted light energy to heat and collapse superficial spider veins without any needles. It’s a noninvasive option well-suited for patients with rosacea, facial spider veins or scattered surface veins that are difficult to inject. Treatments take just 15 to 30 minutes and require no downtime, so you can resume your normal routine right away.

Which Spider Vein Treatment Is Right for Me?

The right spider vein treatment depends on a few key factors: the size of the veins, where they appear and your preferred approach. Below is a side-by-side comparison to help you understand your options at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery.

Spider Vein Treatment Comparison

	Sclerotherapy	Veinwave™	Ruby BBL™
Best for	Small to medium leg veins	Very fine spider veins & facial veins	Superficial facial/body veins, rosacea
Method	Injection	Thermocoagulation	BroadBand Light™
Needles	Yes (very fine)	Yes (ultra-fine)	No
Sessions	2-4	1-3	2-4
Downtime	Minimal	None	None

During your consultation, our experienced team will evaluate your veins using advanced imaging and recommend the treatment (or combination of treatments) that makes the most sense for your anatomy and goals.

Why Choose Fox Valley Plastic Surgery for Vein Care

Fox Valley Plastic Surgery is an IAC-accredited vein center, a distinction that requires independent review of diagnostic testing, treatment protocols and patient outcomes against nationally recognized standards. We are one of a select few clinics in Wisconsin with IAC accreditation, and it shows in our results.

Nationwide, vein procedures carry an average three-year closure rate of 93%. At FVPS, that number is 97.1%, exceeding the national benchmark and reflecting what a coordinated, experienced team can accomplish when the same high standard is applied to every patient.

A big part of our success is Sue Miller, our vein center manager. Sue is a registered vascular technician, a registered diagnostic medical sonographer and a registered radiologic technologist, and she coordinates every step of your care from initial diagnosis through follow-up. Different providers may administer specific treatments, but Sue provides continuity you won’t find elsewhere throughout the entire process.

Hear From Our Patients

“Sue was fantastic and explained the process to me so I had no surprises on how long it would take to see results and how much it would cost. Getting rid of spider veins is very tedious and Sue expertly picked and poked every last one. The results were amazing and I highly recommend FVPS’s Sue Barta.”

— Jenny O.

“FVPS is professional from receptionist to doctor. When I came in this past summer for vein pain, (even after having the initial vein closure done 5 years ago), Dr. Janssen noticed that my veins didn’t improve and informed me that I have vein reflux. Oh yay I thought….but his response was…”let’s fix this”.

I will never be able to do the staff justice (especially those I don’t name)…but from Meg to Sue (and her awesome honesty) to Dr. Janssen and Dr. Doubek (and their awesome honesty), this is the only place I trust. ( I went through 3 other vein specialists before I called FVPS)”

— Timothy K.

“Sue Barta/Vein Center treated my varicose veins previously and most recently treated my spider veins. I was very pleased with the results, from both experiences. Everyone I encountered was very professional and friendly. They were very accommodating with scheduling.”

— Mary E.

Read Real Patient Stories

Schedule Your Free Vein Screening

If you’re ready to do something about unwanted spider veins, we’re here to help. Schedule your free vein screening at Fox Valley Plastic Surgery in Oshkosh, WI by calling 920-233-1540 or booking online. Our team will take a look at your veins and develop a personalized treatment plan that makes sense for your goals, lifestyle and budget.

Book Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Do spider vein treatments hurt?

Sclerotherapy and Veinwave involve a brief stinging sensation during injection, but most patients find it very tolerable. Ruby BBL is noninvasive, with no needles and only mild warmth during treatment. Comfort levels vary from person to person, and our team can adjust as needed throughout your session.

Are spider veins the same as varicose veins?

No. While they share the same underlying cause (weak or damaged valves), spider veins are smaller and sit closer to the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger, rope-like and may signal an underlying venous condition. If you have both, we’ll address each separately. Fox Valley Plastic Surgery offers a full range of vein treatments, including endovenous laser treatment, radiofrequency ablation, Varithena and VenaSeal for larger varicose veins.

Can spider veins be prevented?

Some people are more prone to spider veins than others. While you can’t control aging and genetic factors, there are some habits you can adopt to reduce your risk, including:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Taking frequent walks to promote circulation
Wearing compression hose as recommended by your doctor
Using sunscreen on the face and body to prevent sun damage
Avoiding sitting or standing for long periods without a break
Putting your feet up while resting
Limiting the use of saunas or hot tubs

Will spider veins come back after treatment?

Treated veins are permanently closed and won’t return. New spider veins can develop over time, however, particularly if the underlying factors (such as prolonged sitting or standing) are still present. Periodic maintenance treatments can keep new veins in check.

What is IAC accreditation?

IAC accreditation means Fox Valley Plastic Surgery has been independently evaluated and certified by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), a nationally recognized accrediting organization for facilities that meet specific standards in vascular testing and diagnostic imaging. For you, that means less guesswork in your treatment plan and precise, evidence-based protocols that deliver real results.

Are spider vein treatments covered by insurance?

Most spider veins don’t cause discomfort or other health issues. When treatment is pursued for aesthetic reasons, it is generally not covered by insurance. If you have symptomatic varicose veins or underlying chronic venous insufficiency, treatment of these conditions is usually covered when deemed medically necessary to relieve pain, swelling and aching legs. Insurance companies use what’s called the CEAP (clinical, etiological, anatomic and pathophysiological) scoring system to determine the medical necessity of treatment:

C0-C1: Superficial spider veins; cosmetic problem only; not covered
C2: Simple varicose veins; covered if symptomatic
C3: Varicose veins with swelling; indicates chronic venous insufficiency; covered
C4-C6: Varicose veins with skin changes, active or healed ulcers, and other signs of advanced venous disease; covered

We recommend speaking to your provider to confirm the details of your plan.