Facial Veins Specialist

What are facial veins?

Most patients who have visible facial veins have spider veins. These veins develop when tiny capillaries near the skin’s surface can’t move blood through the vessel properly.

Normally, one-way valves ensure blood flows smoothly through your veins. When the valves become weak or damaged, they let blood flow backwards and build up in the vein.

As blood accumulates, the veins enlarge and become visible. But since they’re tiny networks of capillaries, they appear as reddish-purple spider webs.

There are three types of facial veins. Large veins at the temples can become very visible through thinning skin. Red, blue, and purple veins are common on the sides and the crease of the nose. The third type are the smallest red vessels seen on the cheeks, nose, and chin.

Does rosacea cause facial veins?

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes symptoms such as facial redness due to swollen blood vessels, as well as visible red veins that resemble spider veins. Most patients with rosacea go through periods of remission alternating with flare-ups that last weeks to months. By comparison, spider veins don’t come-and-go. Once spider veins develop they are permanent until you have them treated.

What symptoms develop due to facial veins?

Spider veins rarely cause symptoms. They may occasionally feel itchy, but they’re primarily a cosmetic problem.

If your facial veins are due to rosacea, you may experience symptoms such as facial swelling, persistent redness, swollen acne-like bumps, thickened skin, an enlarged nose, and dry, red eyes.

How do you treat facial veins?

Visible veins respond well to laser treatment. Dr. Hicks uses an Nd:YAG laser to safely and effectively eliminate facial veins. Large veins at the temples are treated with a large spot size and higher energy. Smaller veins on the sides of the nose are treated with smaller spot size and lower energy. Cooling can be used in both cases.

The laser targets the veins without damaging the surrounding skin by using a wavelength that is selectively absorbed within the blood vessel.

As the pigments absorb the laser’s energy, they’re heated just enough to make them break down. After your body removes the cellular waste, the veins disappear. While the treated veins are permanently eliminated, it’s possible to develop new facial veins in the future.

If you don’t like the appearance of facial veins, help is available at Marion Dermatology. Call the office to schedule an appointment or use the online booking tool today.