Doctors then insert a small catheter and guide it to the top of the saphenous vein. The catheter is equipped with tiny electrodes which are used to heat the inner wall of the vein. This causes collagen in the vein wall to contract and the vein itself to shrink and close off. Other veins then take over the circulation of blood in the legs. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, treatment with the new lasers has a lower risk of side effects than the lasers used in the past.
Patients can resume normal activities immediately.
Still, all of these methods are somewhat invasive, and you may want to try wearing support stockings and staying off your feet as much as possible. You can also try horse chestnut, an herbal extract that strengthens veins and reduces swelling. The supplement comes in an oral form as well as a topical cream. I want to stress that varicose and spider veins are primarily cosmetic concerns. You could just ignore them.