Having spider or varicose veins can affect more than your appearance. These veins can cause serious discomfort, and some varicose veins put you at risk for a complication like a blood clot or open sores on your legs. Minimally invasive treatment can eliminate or reduce leg veins. Treatment can also diminish symptoms of pain and fatigue and prevent complicationsVaricose and spider veins are damaged veins. We develop them when tiny, one-way valves inside the veins weaken. In healthy veins, these valves push blood in one direction — back to our heart. When these valves weaken, some blood flows backward and accumulates in the vein, putting pressure on the vein walls. With continual pressure, the vein walls weaken and bulge. In time, we see a varicose or spider vein. Some people have a higher risk of developing these veins. Jobs that require sitting or standing for long periods of time predispose to their development, as do age and pregnancy. Genetics also plays a role, with multiple affected relatives imparting a higher risk. Spider veins are enhanced by sun damage, hormonal changes, or local injury.