Medically reviewed by David Shevitz, MD, ABEM, DABVLM, on December 19, 2025
Spider veins and stretch marks often appear in the same areas of the body. Many people notice them during pregnancy, after weight changes, or during periods of rapid growth. Their early appearances can be similar, making it difficult to tell them apart. A clear understanding of the difference helps you choose the right next steps for both treatment and skin health.
In this blog, David Shevitz, MD, ABEM, DABVLM, lead physician at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) clinics in Kearny and Woodland Park, NJ, explains how spider veins differ from stretch marks, why each one forms, and which treatments can improve both comfort and appearance.
If you want expert help identifying whether your symptoms relate to vein health, schedule a consultation with CVR for a straightforward diagnosis and personalized vein care guidance.
📅To schedule an appointment at CVR Kearny, CLICK HERE
📅To schedule an appointment at CVR Woodland Park, CLICK HERE
📅To schedule an appointment at any of CVR’s other 120+ vein clinics nationwide, CLICK HERE
Stretch marks and spider veins can appear similar in color during their early stages. However, their causes, long-term patterns, and symptoms differ significantly.
Spider veins are tiny veins near the surface of the skin. They appear as thin red, purple, or blue lines that form a branching, web-like pattern. Spider veins lie flat against the skin, although the surrounding area can feel sensitive at times.
Most common locations for spider veins include:
Spider veins form when vein valves weaken. Healthy valves guide blood toward the heart, while weak valves allow blood to collect in the vein, increasing pressure and vein visibility.
Several factors increase the risk of spider veins, including genetics, long periods of standing or sitting, pregnancy, hormonal shifts, aging, and excess weight.
Many people view spider veins as cosmetic, but spider veins can also signal early venous insufficiency, a condition that may progress if left untreated.
Now, let’s take a closer look at stretch marks so you can compare them with the vein-related changes described above.
Stretch marks develop as the skin stretches beyond its natural limit. Small tears form in the middle layer of the skin, eventually appearing on the surface as streaks or lines.
Early stretch marks often look pink, red, purple, or dark brown and may feel slightly raised, itchy, or sensitive. In contrast, older stretch marks usually fade to a silvery or lighter color, become more indented, and feel softer and less noticeable.
Typical areas where stretch marks develop include:
According to the Mayo Clinic, stretch marks form when the skin stretches faster than its collagen and elastin fibers can support. These marks often develop during pregnancy, rapid weight changes, adolescent growth spurts, hormonal shifts, or as a result of certain medications and genetics. They are not linked to vein disease or circulation.
A closer look at color, shape, and texture can help you tell the difference between stretch marks and blood vessels, such as spider veins that may indicate a vein problem:
Many patients seek professional treatment solely to improve the appearance of their skin. There are no long-term health risks by leaving spider veins untreated, but it is important to recognize that spider veins are often associated with larger varicose veins, and these larger varicose veins may not be visible on the surface of your leg. Should you have associated symptoms of aching, burning, throbbing, itching, heaviness, swelling, restlessness, or leg discoloration, you would benefit from a consultation with ultrasound to check for larger varicose veins under the skin surface.
Stretch marks often start to fade naturally, but most of the time, they won’t ever disappear altogether. Several treatments can reduce their appearance and improve texture, such as:
A dermatologist can guide patients on these options, which help stimulate collagen and support smoother skin.
NOTE: Laser and radiofrequency treatments for stretch marks work on the surface of the skin to stimulate collagen, while those used in vein care target deeper veins to improve circulation. Although they share similar names, they serve completely different purposes.
The goal of spider vein treatment is to remove the spider veins. These thread veins are too delicate and fine to be manually removed, so the only effective way to remove the spider veins is to kill them. Once the spider vein dies, the body sees the vein as unnecessary and over the course of a few months the dead spider vein will be dissolved from the body. There is more than one way to kill a spider vein.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy remains the gold standard for treating spider veins and is the method that most vein specialists perform. Sclerotherapy, when done by an experienced provider, typically yields the best final results. Under direct visualization, a medication called "sclerosant" is injected with fine needles into the spider veins. The sclerosant acts by damaging the wall of the spider vein, causing the vein to close off and die.
Laser Therapy
The lasers used to treat spider veins are designed to zap the spider veins by touching the probe of the laser to the skin. This technique is often used in Medi Spas and requires much less expertise to perform.
VeinGogh or VeinWave
These are handheld devices that have fine metal wires that stick out from the end of the probe handle. The wires are touched to the vein on the skin surface and when the device is activated the wires thermocoagulate the vein.
All of these modalities work by killing the spider vein. Once the spider vein dies, the body will slowly dissolve the vein away and it will disappear. Fine red spider veins fade quickly, but thicker purple spider veins may take a few months to go away.
Supportive habits help reduce discomfort and encourage long-term vein and skin health.
Helpful practices include:
Here’s a bonus: these habits also maintain strong, flexible skin, reducing the chance of new stretch marks forming.
A clear understanding of stretch marks and spider veins helps you make informed choices about your health. A professional evaluation can reveal the cause of your skin changes and guide you toward effective, minimally invasive treatment.
If you want expert insight into whether your symptoms indicate stretch marks or spider veins, schedule your consultation with CVR and take the next step toward healthier, clearer skin.
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-249-8250
📅 Or book online HERE
1. Will spider veins eventually turn into varicose veins?
Spider veins don’t turn into varicose veins, although both can appear from the same underlying circulation issues. A quick vein evaluation can determine whether deeper veins are involved and whether early treatment would be helpful.
2. Do spider veins come back after treatment?
Treated veins don’t return. New veins can develop over time, especially without healthy circulation habits. Many patients choose periodic touch-ups to maintain clear skin.
3. When should I see a vein specialist instead of a dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a great resource for stretch-mark care, while a vein specialist is the right choice if you notice leg discomfort, swelling, or increasing clusters of visible veins.
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