Spider veins -- those squiggly, pink and blue veins on the legs -- happen for a variety of reasons to women who are between their 30s and their 70s.

Some women never get spider veins, but some get a lot -- and the cost to get rid of them depends less on the procedure and more on how many they have.

Dermatologist Dr. Susan Obagi performs a cosmetic procedure. She told WTAE Channel 4 Action News anchor Sally Wiggin that she uses two methods -- a blast of hot light and a syringe full of saline.

Obagi said newer lasers are approaching the standard sclerotherapy results.

"But the difference is some patients can't tolerate the pain associated with the lasers. Still have to inject those patients," Obagi said. "Or, patients are too dark-complected or tan. Again, I select sclerotherapy. And some patients with much larger veins are doing much better with laser than sclerotherapy."

Carmella Salem, 37, has had both procedures -- three treatments, one month apart, for $350 each.

"I don't think I am a vain person," she said. "Those weren't my legs. The purple spider, dark blue veins -- that wasn't me."

Salem said she thinks the laser hurts more.

"It is a longer, burning sensation," she said. "The needle is a short sensation, like prickly. It hurts like a rubber band sting. The minute you feel the pain, it is over. Then, there is a lingering -- maybe a half-hour -- that it kind of feels warm."

Dena Patrick, 73, had injections years ago. Recently, she opted for laser. She has a high pain tolerance.

"I decided to do it because they are embarrassing and unsightly, and of course, I just remarried and I wanted to have my legs looking a lot better," she said.

Laser bruises fade in a few days. Injection bruises fade in a week.

But if you have spider veins, you will make new ones.

"I can't prevent you from making it," Obagi said. "If you are a female, and you have estrogen in your bloodstream, you are on your feet a lot like Carmella is, or if you get pregnant , you are going to make more. If you have a genetic tendency, if it runs in your family, you will make more."

And how about varicose veins? Obagi said most spider veins do not become varicose.

It can happen with the larger, regular blue veins you see, but that's usually a medical condition treated by a vascular surgeon. Insurance may cover some or all of the cost.

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