Dr. Robert Cutchen Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Meet Dr. Robert Cutchen

In 2009, Dr. Cutchen founded Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute, a clinic dedicated solely to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. His goal was to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options all in the comfort of his office without the need for hospitalization. Our goal is to treat every patient the way we ourselves would hope to be treated.

Read Dr. Cutchen’s full bio here

Vein Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Vein Treatments

We provide our patients with the most advanced and comprehensive vein treatments. See the difference between before and after.

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Aesthetic Treatments Albuquerque & Santa Fe

Aesthetic Treatments

We utilize the power of advanced laser technology to treat a multitude of cosmetic concerns. See what a difference our treatments can make.

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Patient Resources Albuquerque & Santa FeDo you have a question?

Discover our FAQ pages to find your answers. If you still have a question, please call us at (505) 848-8346 and we will be happy to assist you.

Spider Veins

Spider Veins Albuquerque

Spider veins on your legs can affect your confidence and make you want to cover up. Spider vein treatment can restore your clear, even skin and fade problem veins. Many people have questions about how spider vein treatment will work and what recovery is like, so your Albuquerque Vein & Laser Center team works to ensure you understand what to expect. 

What are Spider Veins?

Do you have small, visible veins on your legs that look discolored and twisted or branched? These spider veins are an aesthetic concern, although Dr. Cutchen may perform other examinations to determine if you have an underlying vascular issue. Spider veins form when normal veins become stretched and damaged. They will not return to normal, but they do respond to treatment.

Do you have small, visible veins on your face or legs? These spider veins are not usually not medically harmful but can bother you aesthetically. Spider veins form for several reasons, and your Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute team has several ways to address them. 

Spider Veins 101: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Many people, especially women, develop spider veins. This common problem results when small veins become stretched and damaged. As a result, they become larger and visible through the skin. Spider veins usually do not represent a medical condition, but they can be annoying and aesthetically displeasing and may indicate an underlying venous circulation problem. While you can take steps to decrease your likelihood of developing spider veins, you cannot always prevent them. 

While spider veins do not usually represent a health problem, they can cause you to feel self-conscious about your appearance. Sclerotherapy is considered the “gold standard” of spider vein treatments. This effective method collapses the problem veins to make them disappear. 

What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels near the skin’s surface. They typically look red or blue and have a spider web-like appearance, hence their name. Spider veins are a common condition, affecting up to 50% of women and 40% of men. Spider veins can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the legs and face. While not harmful, they are a cosmetic concern for many people. 

Spider Vein Albuquerque

If you have red, visible veins on your face, you have plenty of company. Up to 50% of all adults will develop spider veins. While facial spider veins have many causes, effective treatment can provide immediate relief. We offer technology that treats even the tiniest spider veins. 

What are Facial Spider Veins?

Spider veins can occur in many different parts of the body, most commonly on the legs and face. On the face, spider veins are also known as telangiectasias. They appear when small blood vessels under the skin stretch and expand, making them larger and more visible. While often red, facial spider veins can also appear purple or blue. Spider veins do not pose a health risk, but they can make you feel self-conscious, especially on the face. 

Varicose Veins Albuquerque & Santa Fe

While many people use the terms “varicose veins” and “spider veins” interchangeably, they are not the same and require unique treatments. Both types of diseased veins respond well to outpatient treatment, making their removal accessible for all. 

What are Spider Veins and Varicose Veins? 

Spider veins and varicose veins occur when the walls of blood vessels become damaged. They have different causes and treatments, but a vein specialist like Dr. Robert Cutchen can diagnose and thoroughly treat both types.

Spider Vein Albuquerque

Up to 50% of people have spider veins. These tiny damaged veins often spread like a spiderweb or tree roots, and when they occur in visible areas, they can become unwelcome. Dr. Robert Cutchen offers treatments to decrease or eliminate the appearance of spider veins. He can also diagnose and treat any underlying venous conditions. 

What are Spider Veins?

Spider veins form when blood pools in small veins close to the skin’s surface. This pooled blood can cause the affected veins to look red, blue, or purple. Most spider veins are harmless, but clusters of spider veins around the ankles can indicate a possible problem with venous circulation. Spider veins typically occur on the face and legs but can also appear in other areas such as the chest. 

Spider Vein Albuquerque

Although millions of Americans suffer with spider veins on their legs, some also develop them on their nose or cheeks. Hiding at home or behind a mask may be a temporary solution for those suffering with facial and nose veins, but the VeinWave treatment at Albuquerque Vein & Laser offers a permanent solution for the peskiest and most embarrassing of spider veins!

Spider Vein Albuquerque

You never see them coming. They seem to arrive without warning. Of course, no one expects to have them show up, but somehow they sneak across your legs or face and you feel stuck with them. So, let’s talk about these spider veins for a moment. They are not a permanent problem because, at Albuquerque Vein and Laser Institute, we have two very effective solutions to help you rid your legs and face of these unsightly veins.

Spider Vein Albuquerque

Although millions of Americans suffer with spider veins on their legs, some also develop them on their nose or cheeks. Hiding at home or behind a mask may be a temporary solution for those suffering with facial and nose veins, but the VeinWave treatment at Albuquerque Vein & Laser offers a permanent solution for the peskiest and most embarrassing of spider veins!

Spidervein

Affecting between 30-50% of the adult population, the development of them is inevitable for many. However, the good news is that they usually respond exceptionally well to easy, in-office treatment! Although they are tiny in size, they can have a big effect on one’s confidence. We’re talking about spider veins, those small, damaged veins that most often appear on the surface of the legs or face.

Spider Veins Albuquerque

No one likes to look at their legs or face and see little blue and purple lines networking across their skin like a road map. Unfortunately, millions of people struggle with these annoying spider veins and don’t know where they came from or how to get rid of them. Let’s take a look at what these spider veins are, how we can treat them, and how we can prevent them over time.

Albuquerque Veinwave

Tiny red, blue, or purple spider veins on and around your nose can be infuriating for both men and women. These visible veins on your nose can rob you of your self-esteem and confidence, leaving you hiding from social situations and cameras. Typically caused by the aging process, sun damage, trauma to the area or certain skin conditions, these tiny veins can leave you feeling self-conscious, but eliminating them has never been simpler!

Albuquerque Varicose Vein

The words “spider veins” and “varicose veins” can cause just about anyone to shudder. No one wants to walk around in shorts or skirts and have a network of veins looking like a road map on our legs. But, is vein removal a healthy, necessary medical treatment or just cosmetic? Let’s take a look!

Spider Veins Albuquerque

Although patients often use the terms spider veins and varicose veins interchangeably, these are two separate issues that affect the health of your venous system differently. Spider veins and varicose veins are similar in that they are both unsightly AND easily treatable.

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, dilated veins that protrude above the level of the skin. Most frequently found on the legs, they often appear dark purple or blue in color and sometimes bulge out. They are typically caused by an underlying issue in the venous system, such as venous reflux (also known as venous insufficiency, which is a result of broken valves inside the veins, causing the blood to flow “backwards” in the veins. Varicose veins can lead to symptoms such as a heavy feeling in your legs, skin discoloration, swelling, and worsened pain after sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.

There are a number of factors that can raise your risk of developing varicose veins.

  • Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins.
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause may also play a role in varicose veins.
  • Heredity is also a factor, so if members of your family have developed varicose veins, it is likely that you will as well.
  • Standing or sitting for long periods of time can also increase your risk of developing varicose veins.

Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent the development of varicose veins. You may reduce your risk of this condition by improving your circulation. Exercising on a regular basis, maintaining a healthy weight, and adhering to a quality diet can definitely help. It is also important to change your sitting or standing position frequently. Once you develop vein disease, it will not get better on its own – you may be able to manage the symptoms through the wearing of medical-grade compression hose and elevation, but the diseased veins themselves will never improve and symptoms will most likely increase over time.

Although Fall is full of so many fun activities like apple picking, hayrides, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, it’s also a busy time of year in the healthcare industry as patients scramble to schedule medical treatment before their annual deductible renews! So, along with deciding how many bags of Halloween candy to buy, this time of the year is also the best time to consider your Vein Health! Many people neglect their vein issues until they start to have serious problems, especially if they have not yet met their annual insurance deductible, but there are several reasons this time of year is the perfect time to see Dr. Robert Cutchen for vein treatment!

Spider Vein Albuquerque

Although spider veins are typically seen on the legs, they can also appear on the face and nose. These broken blood vessels on the face, also known as telangiectasias, are enlarged veins that occur just beneath the surface of the skin. These are often caused by the natural aging process, sun damage, trauma to the area, certain skin disorders, such as rosacea or genetics. The good news is that you don’t have to live with these imperfections on your face forever because of a revolutionary treatment called VeinWave™.

Spider Vein Albuquerque

Spider veins are dilated superficial blood vessels that form close to the surface of the skin. Although they are mostly considered cosmetic in nature, they can really add years to legs, which results in loss of self-confidence for many and a hesitation to wear shorts, skirts and swimsuits. Our in-office treatment can reduce the appearance of spider veins and make you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

Discoloration is one of the most common side effects of spider vein treatment. Many of our patients who are considering spider vein treatment ask us, “how long does discoloration last after spider vein treatment?” Keep reading to learn how spider vein treatment works and find out the answer to this question.

Albuquerque Spider Vein

Spider veins are small, damaged veins that can appear on the surface of the legs or even the face. They usually are not painful or harmful, but some people may experience an achy or heavy feeling in their legs and choose to treat them in order to look and feel their best. One very commonly asked question is about the recovery time for treating spider veins so that patients may properly plan to have the time off from work or have help with their family and other responsibilities during the recovery. Let’s take a look at the two most common treatments for spider veins and their recovery times.

Spider veins, little dilated superficial blood vessels that are caused by increased pressure in the veins, are both annoying and unsightly. Often located on both the thighs and calves, they are extremely visible, and we’ve had many patients tell us that they’ve avoided wearing shorts or skirts for years because they hate how they look. Fortunately, spider veins are treatable, and although not covered by insurance, treatment is performed right in our office using sclerotherapy injections – the gold standard in spider vein treatment. Even better, Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute is fortunate to have one of the very best sclerotherapy nurses in the region treating our spider vein patients!

During this procedure, a very fine needle is used to slowly inject the sclerosant solution into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to collapse. Compression stockings are applied after the treatment.

Over the course of the next few months, the veins will fade. Most patients require a series of 3-5 treatments over the course of several months. The number of treatments will vary with each patient. A personal treatment plan will be discussed at the time of your vein consultation.

What Causes Spider Veins?

A number of factors determine whether or not a person may develop spider veins, including:

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Hormones (pregnancy, menopause)
  • Obesity
  • Long Periods of Daily Standing

If you think you may have spider veins, you can read more about symptoms here.

Facial-veins-blog-albuquerque

Spider veins are extremely common – men and women of all ages experience them. They are most common on the legs but some people can develop them on the face. These small veins are usually caused by the natural aging process of the skin, sun damage, trauma to that site, certain skin disorders such as rosacea, or genetics. Removing facial veins requires a more precise and gentler treatment than removing them from the leg.

Spider veins are extremely common – it’s estimated that they affect nearly half of the adult population at some point in their lives – particularly women. Like varicose veins, they are dilated superficial blood vessels that are caused by an increased pressure in the veins but are smaller and closer to the skin. They are often located behind the knee or on the ankle. Although clusters of spider veins around the ankles can be a symptom of a deeper venous issue, they are generally cosmetic in nature and can be easily eliminated with sclerotherapy injections, or in some cases laser treatment.

Vein disorders are complex and run deep – there is much more than meets the eye. And, patient treatment is never a one-size-fits-all approach, as each patient’s vein disease is different from the next. A patient who does not have big, bulging veins may need an endovenous laser ablation only. Another vein patient may need a laser ablation, followed by micro-incisional ambulatory phlebectomy (micro-incisions to remove the actual bulging veins), and yet another patient may need the addition of endovenous chemical ablation (injections) to close feeder veins.

Perhaps you’re feeling self-conscious about those unsightly spider veins on your legs. Many women, and some men, are probably familiar with the term “spider veins”. Typically, they’re tiny red, bluish or purplish “webs” on your legs.

In most cases, spider veins don’t cause symptoms but some patients can experience some discomfort, maybe even some itching or burning. Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin.

For leg veins, sclerotherapy (injections of an FDA-approved solution into the veins via a tiny needle) provides the most effective, most economical, and least painful treatment method. The sclerosant solution irritates the lining of the vein and causes it to collapse. The vein is reabsorbed and fades over the course of 4-6 weeks. Larger, darker clusters of veins will have to be injected on more than one visit.

Below are two different views of pictures that show the effectiveness of sclerotherapy for spider vein treatment.

Side View of Spider Vein Treatment

Vein Treatment Santa Fe

Some patients at my Albuquerque vein center are shocked to see how extensive their vein disease is. This is partly because vein symptoms often develop and progress so insidiously, that patients aren’t even aware that there may be something wrong.

Spider veins, though pesky and unattractive, are easily treated in the comfort of my Albuquerque vein clinic. Many of my physically active patients are hesitant, however, to schedule treatments, as they don’t want to interrupt their various exercise and training programs. However, sclerotherapy (the gold standard for spider vein treatment) only requires that patients don’t exercise, work out or do anything that may significantly elevate your heart rate for at least 24 hours after each procedure, and “pounding” activity (running, high impact aerobics, etc.) should be avoided for 7 days. Beyond this, your normal activities are fine. So, if you do work out, we ask that you do so the day before your treatment, or even the morning of, and then plan on taking a day off in between your next work-out, as long as it doesn’t involve “pounding”, which can be resumed the following week.

The weather is heating up and, no doubt, many women are trying to stay cool while trying not to draw attention to their pesky spider veins. Modern spider vein treatment can be done very effectively, with long lasting results, if diagnosed and performed correctly. Many of my patients at my Albuquerque Vein Center want to know if their spider veins will “come back”.

Varicose and Spider Veins plague a great number of American Adults: as many as 1 in 3 adults complain of some form of venous insufficiency. Although many experience symptoms after turning 50, it’s not uncommon for younger individuals to have venous issues, as well.

With vein disease being so prevalent, you’ve likely heard the terms “varicose veins” and “spider veins.” The two are sometimes used interchangeably, but are, in fact, different.

Unfortunately, the term spider vein is no stranger to many women, as about 50 percent of women in the United States have a vein condition, whether it is spider veins, varicose veins or both. If you only have spider veins, you have the lesser of the two vein problems, but that can be small consolation if their appearance causes you unhappiness. Fortunately, there are non-invasive vein treatments for this condition, which is often hereditary.

Spider veins, though pesky and unattractive, are easily treated in the comfort of my Albuquerque vein clinic. Many of my physically active patients are hesitant, however, to schedule treatments, as they don’t want to interrupt their various exercise and training programs. However, sclerotherapy (the gold standard for spider vein treatment) only requires that patients don’t exercise, work out or do anything that may significantly elevate your heart rate for at least 24 hours after each procedure, and “pounding” activity (running, high impact aerobics, etc.) should be avoided for 7 days. Beyond this, your normal activities are fine. So, if you do work out, we ask that you do so the day before your treatment, or even the morning of, and then plan on taking a day off in between your next work-out, as long as it doesn’t involve “pounding”, which can be resumed the following week.

The weather is heating up and, no doubt, many women are trying to stay cool while trying not to draw attention to their pesky spider veins. Modern spider vein treatment can be done very effectively, with long lasting results, if diagnosed and performed correctly. Many of my patients at my Albuquerque Vein Center want to know if their spider veins will “come back”.