"I've been waiting for this laser to come along," says Dunne. He says the new laser takes only seven minutes to treat the area from the ankle to the groin, compared to 25 minutes with radio frequency closure. The procedure requires no needles or incisions, and the only side effects are slight redness or swelling that abates after a few days.

For spider and varicose veins that lie closer to the skin's surface, doctors prefer sclerotherapy, a technique in which doctors inject a solution into veins that causes them to collapse. Sclerotherapy has been used in Europe for more than 50 years, but has only become popular in the U.S. in the last decade. It's usually performed on an outpatient basis, and it requires no anesthesia, but can entail anywhere from five to 40 injections per session (Pecoraro compares the sensation to a mosquito bite). The procedure generally lasts less than an hour and requires between three and five visits.

Doctors advise pregnant women to avoid sclerotherapy, since pregnancy-induced varicose veins sometimes disappear within three months of giving birth. If they don't, doctors still prefer to wait until after breastfeeding ends, to avoid any possible transfer of the sclerosing agent.

Rare complications include formation of blood clots in the treated veins, inflammation, and allergic reactions to the sclerosing agent. Sclerotherapy can cause bruising that lasts as long as a month. A more common side effect is the emergence of brown patches along the skin that may take several months to fade. Occasionally, sclerotherapy can result in the eruption of even more, finer blood vessels around the initial treatment area, requiring additional injections.

Doctors emphasize that none of these treatments will prevent future occurrence of varicose veins; but Pecoraro notes that insurance will cover EVLT if your veins are causing a serious medical condition (like skin ulcers or blood clots). If your case is ruled strictly cosmetic, you'll spend about $2,000 for the procedure. Sclerotherapy costs an average of $300 to $400 per treatment.

Before you begin any procedure, though, Dunne suggests trying compression stockings. They increase blood circulation by squeezing the leg muscles and are available at most drugstores and pharmacies or through your doctor. Current styles are much more attractive than those produced 10 or even five years ago. "Some people just require control of symptoms," says Dunne. If medical treatment is still necessary, Dunne proceeds with a combination of sclerotherapy and laser closure methods.

It's a far cry from the surgical solutions that kept Wheeler's mother and sister bed-ridden for weeks, and Wheeler insists, "This is a significant advance. I have a hard time envisioning a better way to treat this condition."

PREVENTING VARICOSE VEINS

. Limit sun exposure to prevent spider veins on the face.

. Concentrate on leg exercises to improve circulation and vein strength.

. Keep your legs uncrossed when sitting to avoid constricting blood vessels.

. At rest, keep legs elevated above the heart.

. If your job requires long periods of standing, shift your weight every few minutes. If you're at a desk all day, get up and move around every half hour or so.

. Doctors believe women's high heels put too much pressure on leg veins. You'll benefit more from low-heeled shoes that work the calf muscles.

Source: MayoClinic.com

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVES

If the very thought of needles or lasers to treat your varicose veins makes you shudder, these complementary and alternative therapies may be just what the doctor ordered.

Researchers at the University of Maryland Medicine recommend a diet rich in complex carbohydrates derived from whole grains and dark, leafy greens. Supplement that diet with vitamin C (in doses from 500 to 1,000 mg) three times a day, vitamin E (from 200 to 600 IU per day), and 15 to 30 mg of zinc. Just remember that high doses of vitamin C can dry the skin, and some people's digestive systems do not tolerate high concentrations of zinc.

Massage may be effective because it improves the poor circulation that's often blamed for varicose veins. Applying witch hazel may work for the same reason, and there's evidence that herbs like horse chestnut, gota kola and bilberry can help as well.

While scientists at the Mayo Clinic do not discount the possibility that herbs may relieve the symptoms caused by varicose veins, they doubt they will eliminate them entirely. They also warn that herbal supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration for potency or efficacy, so be aware that you risk potential drug interactions. Buy only from reputable dealers, and consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements if you are already taking any medication.