Visible blue veins on upper arms and chest. Should I be concerned?

Question

Hi I have very blue visible veins on my chest and upper arms. Please see photo for example which is of my left upper arm. Those veins are also over my chest area and run over my shoulders. It has been a year and they seem to get worse. I am only 29 years old. Is there a vein problem or can it be treated? Thank you

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

It’s important to distinguish between varicose veins and spider veins when choosing between laser therapy, sclerotherapy, and vein surgery. With two board certified vein specialists, our center uses a combination of visual examination, functional flow measurements, ultrasound, transillumination, and infrared light to map out vein networks prior to therapy. Lasers can be used to treat deep varicose vein insufficiency, vein perforators, and varicose veins. Sclerotherapy is ideal for spider veins and reticular veins. Whereas surgery is reserved for severely incompetent varicose vein segments.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 surgeon

Craig Schwartz, DO · Answer

These veins on your arms and chest are known as reticular, or feeding veins, and are in the family of Spider Veins. There are multiple options for treating these types of spider veins, so the most important thing is to go to an experienced vein specialist, who can evaluate you and determine what will work best in your particular case. The options would include superficial, or topical laser, however injection sclerotherapy is likely to be the best option. There are several lasers which work extremely well on spider veins, including the 940 diode, the 1064 Nd-Yag, as well as IPL or BBL, and ohmic thermolysis (VeinGogh or Veinwave), although the latter is truly best for smaller, tiny surface veins less than 0.3mm in size. Foam injection sclerotherapy is considered the gold standard of treatment for spider veins, especially for these deeper blue, reticular veins.

John Landi, MD · Answer

Blue veins are called reticular veins and are very common and usually normal.  They are more prominent in thin individuals and fair skinned individuals.  They can be treated by sclerotherapy.

Visible blue veins on upper arms and chest. Should I be concerned?

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Visible blue veins on upper arms and chest. Should I be concerned?

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.