Spider veins are very small dark blue or reddish veins which appear on the surface of the skin. They are called spider veins because they have a dark middle spot with bluish lines radiating from the center. The spider veins usually are found just around the nose and on the cheeks.
Spider veins are more noticeable in fair skinned people. The cause of spider veins on the face is not really understood. Unlike the leg spider veins, the facial spider veins are not linked to high venous pressures. Exposure to sunlight has been linked to facial spider veins.
The facial spider veins usually occur in the 3rd decade of life and the color may wax and wane with time. Facial spider veins are more common in families with a history of vein problems.
Once facial veins develop, they rarely resolve on their own. One point of note- facial spider veins are harmless and cause no symptoms. The only reason to treat spider veins is for cosmetic improvement.
There are several ways to treat spider veins on the face. Lasers have been used successfully, alone or in combination with electric needle therapy. The heat from the laser beam or intense pulsed light device selectively destroys the abnormal veins.
Laser is most effective for the most superficial spider veins on the skin surface. With the electric needle, the veins are sealed off with the application of electrical current. Most individuals require a few sessions to erase the spider veins.
No matter what type of treatment, new spider veins can and do recur.
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