Medically reviewed by Tanya Flohr, MD, on November 13, 2025
You first notice spider veins in certain light or while wearing your favorite skirt or dress. Those delicate, bluish webs tracing across your calves or ankles like tiny roadmaps that catch you off guard. These spider veins weren’t there last year, or were they? Maybe it’s just the consequence of age, or standing too long at work, or of carrying a few extra pounds. No big deal, right?
Or could these problem veins mean something deeper is going on with your leg health?
You tell yourself they’ll fade eventually, the way bruises do. But will they? Am I stuck with these itching, tender, burning spider veins for life?
The answer: yes, or no, and it depends.
For clarity, we consulted with Center for Vein Restoration vein specialist Dr. Tanya Flohr, lead physician at CVR’s Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, vein clinic.
📅 To schedule an appointment with Dr. Flohr in Mechanicsburg, PA, CLICK HERE.
📅 To schedule an appointment at any of CVR’s other 120+ vein clinics nationwide, CLICK HERE
Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are thin red, blue, or purple lines that appear just beneath the surface of the skin, often on the legs or face. They’re caused by small blood vessels that have widened or become damaged, allowing blood to pool instead of flowing efficiently back toward the heart.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these veins form when tiny one-way valves within the veins weaken, leading to backward blood flow and increased pressure on the vessel walls. Over time, that pressure makes the veins visible on the skin’s surface, like a warning light for what could become a deeper issue: venous insufficiency or vein disease.
Spider veins are sometimes dismissed as “cosmetic,” but they’re often part of a broader venous story, one where circulation isn’t keeping pace with what your body needs.
Here’s the honest answer: rarely.
The Mayo Clinic notes that damaged veins don’t regain function on their own. Once a vein dilates and its valves stop functioning properly, it typically doesn’t repair itself. While you can take steps to prevent new ones from forming or to keep current ones from worsening, existing spider veins usually remain until treated.
There are a few exceptions, however. For example, spider veins caused by pregnancy hormones sometimes fade months after childbirth, when hormone levels return to normal and venous pressure decreases. According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH):
“After six months, most minor vein dilatations (visible at the end of pregnancy) may become almost invisible and clinically irrelevant. However, in approximately 25 percent of women, some problem veins may be visible well after six months after the first pregnancy; and some patients, particularly those with symptoms such as edema, may need some form of (medical) management or ask for treatment within 12 months after delivery.”
In short, in most cases, problem blood vessels remain or gradually multiply. Trust the board-certified experts at Center for Vein Restoration to stop your problem veins in their tracks and restore the beautiful, comfortable legs you remember.
Spider veins don’t just show up out of nowhere, though it can feel that way. There’s a story behind every line, and it starts with what’s happening beneath your skin. Several factors can set the stage for weakened veins and poor circulation, leading to those fine red or blue threads. Understanding your story can help you prevent more from forming.
Risk factors for spider veins include:
While you can’t change your genes or the pull of gravity (nor the passage of time), there’s a lot you can do to prevent spider veins, or at least keep them from spreading and worsening.
The good news: Small changes can go a long way in keeping blood flowing and symptoms at bay. A consultation with a Center for Vein Restoration vein physician can help you build a personalized plan to protect your vein health and prevent future problems.
A board-certified CVR vein specialist can perform a painless ultrasound to see how your blood is flowing and whether larger veins are involved. Identifying and treating the root cause yields better long-term results than treating surface veins alone.
While spider veins rarely disappear on their own, modern medicine offers minimally invasive treatments that can make them virtually vanish.
Sclerotherapy
The gold standard for spider vein treatment, sclerotherapy, involves injecting a tiny amount of solution directly into the affected veins. The vein collapses, blood reroutes through healthier vessels, and over several weeks, the treated vein fades away. According to the Cleveland Clinic, success rates range from 50–80 percent of injected veins after one session.
Laser or Light Therapy
This method uses bursts of laser energy to heat and close small surface veins—particularly effective on facial spider veins or very fine leg veins. It requires no needles and minimal downtime.
Treating the Source
If ultrasound shows deeper venous reflux, your specialist may recommend additional treatments such as radiofrequency ablation or adhesive closure to address the root cause before treating surface veins.
All of these vein procedures are outpatient, minimally invasive, and patients can resume their routine immediately with little to no downtime. Vein treatment is often covered by insurance when symptoms such as pain or swelling are present, but not when tests confirm that the veins cause no medical problems (i.e., are cosmetic).
Spider veins aren’t a moral failing, a cosmetic vanity, or something you have to “live with forever.” Spider veins don’t fade with wishful thinking, but they also don’t define you. They’re simply a signal, your body’s way of asking for better circulation, a bit more movement, and maybe a little expert help.
When you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface, the path forward becomes clear: take care of your veins, and they’ll take care of you. Whether that means daily walks, compression socks, or a consultation with a Center for Vein Restoration vein specialist, it’s about reclaiming comfort and confidence in your own skin—one healthy choice at a time.
1. Can spider veins go away on their own?
In most cases, no. Once the valves in your veins weaken and blood starts to pool, those visible vessels rarely fade without treatment. A quick consultation with a Center for Vein Restoration physician can determine if your spider veins are cosmetic or a sign of underlying vein disease.
2. What causes spider veins to form?
Spider veins develop when small blood vessels near the surface of your skin stretch or weaken, often due to genetics, hormones, or long hours on your feet. Other risk factors—like aging, weight gain, and prolonged sitting—can increase pressure in your veins and make these fine red or blue lines more visible.
3. How can I prevent new spider veins from forming?
Daily movement, leg elevation, compression stockings, and maintaining a healthy weight all help keep blood flowing in the right direction. A CVR vein specialist can personalize a prevention plan based on your lifestyle and risk factors to protect your vein health long-term.
4. What are the most effective treatments for spider veins?
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard, safely closing off damaged veins so your body can absorb them over time. Laser and light therapies are also effective options, especially for smaller veins. Your CVR vein physician can recommend the best approach for you.
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