Facial thread veins, often referred to as spider veins due to their web-like appearance, are small, broken blood vessels that surface beneath the skin on the face. These veins are usually red or blue in colour, becoming more noticeable and may present cosmetic concerns for individuals.
Causes of Facial Thread Veins
Facial thread veins, also known as spider veins, are caused by a range of factors. They surface when tiny veins constrict and expand too quickly, damaging the blood vessels. Here are a few common causes:
- Genetics: If your family members have thread veins, you may be genetically predisposed to develop them.
- Ageing: As we age, our skin becomes thinner and loses collagen, making veins more visible.
- Sun exposure: Excessive sun exposure can lead to the dilation of blood vessels, thereby contributing to the formation of spider veins. It damages collagen and elastin in the skin, causing veins to surface.
- Skin type: Lighter skin types tend to show thread veins more visibly due to the translucency of the skin.
- Environmental damage: Prolonged exposure to harsh weather, especially wind and extreme temperatures, can also cause these veins to appear.
- Lifestyle factors: Alcohol consumption can lead to facial thread veins because it dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the skin surface. Additionally, smoking can damage collagen and elastin, causing veins to surface.
- Rosacea: This skin condition can cause facial redness, swelling, and small, visible blood vessels.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can cause these veins to appear.
Can broken capillaries on the face go away?
While broken capillaries or spider veins on the face can sometimes heal on their own, this isn’t always the case. Generally, if they haven’t cleared up within a period of 3-6 months, it’s likely they’ll require further treatment.
A GP may recommend topical retinoid creams which can diminish the visibility of the veins. However, this is usually a short-term solution, requiring daily application to maintain results.
For more permanent results, professional treatment such as Nd:YAG laser therapy is often the best course of action. This laser treatment is effective in reducing and even eliminating the appearance of spider veins.
Prevention is always better than cure, and there are several steps you can take to prevent the occurrence of broken capillaries:
- Sun Protection: Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation which can cause broken capillaries.
- Gentle Exfoliation: Over-exfoliating can damage the skin and cause broken capillaries. Try to use gentle exfoliants and don’t exfoliate more than twice a week.
- Lukewarm Water: Hot water can cause your blood vessels to dilate, increasing the risk of broken capillaries. Always wash your face with lukewarm water instead.
- Eat a Vitamin C-rich diet: Vitamin C is crucial for maintaining the health of your blood vessels. Eating foods rich in Vitamin C can strengthen your capillaries and reduce the chances of them breaking.
Remember, if you’re worried about broken capillaries or spider veins on your face, it’s always best to seek advice from a medical professional at Centre for Surgery.
How to treat facial thread veins?
At our vein clinics, we provide a range of treatments to address facial thread veins, including those on the face and under the eyes. Our expert team is here to help, so give us a call on 0207 993 4849 to learn more.
One effective treatment option for facial thread veins is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photorejuvenation. This non-invasive treatment uses advanced IPL technology to improve the appearance of blue facial thread veins. The heat from the intense pulsed light causes the vein to collapse and be naturally absorbed by the body. Following treatment, the vein should no longer be visible on the surface of the skin. There may be some redness and swelling for about 24 hours after treatment, but no significant downtime is expected. It is important to avoid sun exposure for a few weeks after the treatment. The best results are typically seen 3-5 months after a course of 5 IPL treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart.
Another option is the Fotona NdYAG laser, which can be used to treat facial thread veins, including those veins under the eyes, as well as thread veins on the legs. The laser pulses cause the blood within the veins to coagulate, leading to the closure of the vessel. The closed vein is then absorbed by the body, and blood flow is redirected to deeper veins. Some redness and bruising may occur after treatment, and sun exposure should be avoided for a few weeks, with the use of high SPF sunscreen. Results can usually be seen within 2-6 weeks, with final results taking 3-5 months. We typically recommend 3 treatments spaced 6-8 weeks apart, though the number of treatments needed may vary for each individual.
Reach out to our team for a consultation to determine the most suitable treatment option for your specific needs.
Thread Veins on Face FAQs
What is a vascular lesion?
Vascular lesions are marks that will appear on the body, most commonly on the face and legs. They can include:
– Haemangiomas
– Port-wine stains
– Venous lakes
– Angiomas
– Telangiectasias
How are the vascular lesions removed?
You can have the vascular lesion removed with laser therapy. Centre for Surgery uses Fotona’s Nd:YAG laser.
This laser emits energy, which is absorbed by the blood. This is then converted into heat, which destroys the vein’s walls. This destroys the vein, which is then naturally absorbed by the body. This lessens the appearance of the varicose lesion.
Can sclerotherapy be used to treat large facial veins?
Our aesthetic practitioners do not recommend using sclerotherapy or micro sclerotherapy for the treatment of facial thread veins. Sclerotherapy is excellent for treating leg thread veins, often combined with foam sclerotherapy for treating varicose veins.
Facial thread veins are treated with long pulse Nd YAG laser for fast and effective clearance without the risks of sclerotherapy.
At Centre for Surgery, our award-winning vein clinic offers a full range of treatments for all types of thread, spider, and varicose veins. Our facial thread vein practitioners will be able to advise you on the most appropriate treatment option at your face-to-face consultation.
Is facial thread vein removal with laser safe?
Yes – laser is considered a safe method to remove vascular lesions.
Laser uses a Variable Square Pulse, which controls the energy and temperature. This means the skin surrounding the lesion will not be damaged.
Am I a suitable candidate for facial thread vein removal?
You will be a suitable candidate if you have a vascular lesion which you want to remove without resorting to surgery.
You will need to be at least 18 years old to undergo treatment.
Is facial thread vein removal painful?
Facial thread vein removal is not painful, but patients may describe a sensation of a rubber band being flicked against their skin during the treatment. Therefore, a topical anaesthetic cream may be applied to your skin to numb the treatment area. Cold air skin cooling is also applied during treatment to minimise discomfort.
Will I need to have multiple treatments?
This will depend on the size of the thread vein lesion and how many there are. Those who have larger lesions may require numerous sessions to see the desired results. Most people are able to see a significant difference after one session.
Are there any risks or side effects to facial vein treatment?
Facial thread vein treatment using a laser may result in temporary skin redness for approximately 24 hours following the treatment, followed by complete resolution. There are a number of other rare side effects of facial vein treatment, including bruising, swelling, temporary discolouration of the skin and mild superficial blister formation. All of these side effects are short-lived and temporary in nature, with full resolution after 48 to 72 hours. Your aesthetic practitioner will explain all the potential risks and side effects of treatment at your consultation.
What will the recovery period be like?
There is very little recovery associated with this procedure. You may experience some slight redness or discomfort following the procedure.
You will be able to return to your usual daily routine straight after the procedure.
Choose Centre for Surgery for spider vein treatments
When it comes to spider vein treatments, Centre for Surgery is the ideal choice. With a proven track record and extensive experience, we specialise in removing thread or spider veins using minimally invasive techniques and the latest technologies.
Our spider vein clinic has been providing exceptional care for over ten years, making us the leading authority in non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the UK. With thousands of successful procedures, we have the expertise to deliver outstanding results.
At Centre for Surgery, we use the most innovative and advanced methods to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients. Our team consists of expert doctors, nurses, and laser practitioners who are highly skilled in performing thread vein treatments. What sets us apart is our ability to treat veins under the eyes, a specialized area that very few clinics can address.
As a UK centre of excellence for the minimally invasive treatment of veins, we prioritize providing the highest standard of clinical care. Our commitment to utilizing the latest technologies in the industry means you can expect the most effective and up-to-date treatments.
Choose Centre for Surgery for spider vein treatments and experience the exceptional care and expertise we offer.
