Spider Veins
Leg veins are common but can be bothersome. Treatments can help clear them and restore a more even-looking skin appearance.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins develop from a few key factors:
- Weakened vessel walls — blood pools in small vessels close to the skin's surface, creating visible web-like or linear patterns that don't resolve on their own
- Prolonged standing — increases pressure in leg veins over time
- Genetics — a family history makes them more likely to develop
- Sun exposure and hormonal changes — can contribute, especially on the face
- Aging — vessel walls naturally weaken over time
On the legs, spider veins are primarily a cosmetic concern. On the face, they're often associated with rosacea or general flushing, and can be treated with the same laser technology.
Why Choose Us At Whistler Medical Aesthetics?
Whistler Medical Aesthetics was built around a simple belief: aging is a journey to be embraced, not something to be feared.
Under the guidance of Dr. Sarah Kennea, an internationally recognized MD Codes™ expert, our approach is evidence-based and deeply personalized, treating each patient's anatomy and story as unique rather than applying the same protocol to everyone who walks through the door. An accurate diagnosis at the outset, backed by real training and experience, is what separates a treatment plan that works from one that doesn't.
Our clinic reflects that same philosophy end to end: a calm, unpretentious space with floor-to-ceiling views of Rainbow and Sproat mountains, a private complimentary consultation for every new patient, and an ongoing commitment to education so your plan evolves as your goals do. The result is conservative, natural, and progressive change.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Spider veins are small, superficial vessels that are typically a cosmetic concern, while varicose veins are larger, raised, and can involve underlying venous issues that may need medical evaluation.
Yes. Laser treatment can collapse the vessel wall, and the body naturally clears the treated vessel over the following weeks.
Prolonged standing, genetics, hormonal changes, and aging can all contribute to new vessels forming over time.
Vessel walls weaken and blood pools close to the skin's surface, creating the visible web-like or linear patterns you see.
On the legs, they're primarily cosmetic. If you notice raised, bulging, or painful veins, it's worth a medical evaluation to rule out a more significant underlying venous issue.
Treated vessels clear permanently, but the underlying tendency to form new vessels remains, so new ones may eventually appear nearby. Annual maintenance is often worthwhile for ongoing patterns.
