Key Takeaways
- Facial spider veins affect more than 40 percent of women and appear as blue or red branching veins near the skin's surface, often caused by genetics, sun exposure, or pressure changes.
- BBL (BroadBand Light) therapy is the most effective treatment for facial spider veins, using targeted light energy to heat and collapse the affected vessels without damaging surrounding skin.
- Spider veins can develop anywhere on the face and may appear suddenly after drastic weather changes, vigorous nose blowing, intense exercise, or prolonged sun exposure.
- Unlike leg spider veins which can be treated with sclerotherapy, facial spider veins are best addressed with light-based or laser treatments rather than injections.
- A consultation at NOVA helps identify the most appropriate treatment based on the size, location, and severity of the facial spider veins.
With more than 40 percent of women suffering from some sort of vein disease, spider veins, including spider veins on the face, are very common—but that doesn’t mean you want to live with them. It’s not uncommon for our clients here in our Northern Virginia and Ashburn office to ask: What can I do about facial spider veins? We share the answer below.
How do I tell if I have spider veins on my face?
Spider veins appear as blue and sometimes red veins near the surface of the skin. They’re often prominent, branching out in spider-leg-type patterns, and, in some cases, they may even be bulging and painful. Though you may think of spider veins as a condition that appears on the legs, they can actually appear anywhere on your body.What causes spider veins on the face?
Spider veins on the face have many possible causes, such as:- Genetics
- Sun exposure
- Drastic weather changes on unprotected skin
- Pressure changes in the body as might occur if you have a severe sneezing or coughing fit while ill
- Environmental toxins
- Alcohol consumption
- A head or face injury
- Rosacea
Why should I seek treatment for facial spider veins?
You may be able to cover up spider veins on the legs, but those on the face often stand out. They can make you appear older than you are, which may impact your self-confidence. Beyond the superficial reasons, though, spider veins anywhere on the body may suggest a more serious vein condition. Left untreated, you could be dealing with a life-threatening condition such as a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a vein blockage breaks off and travels to the lungs, stopping your body’s ability to get oxygen to the cells. Though it’s rare for a blood clot to start in the face, the gravity of this condition warrants precautionary measures. Additionally, getting spider veins on the face treated allows a doctor to assess your overall artery and vein health for early intervention if another condition is present.What are my facial spider vein treatment options?
NOVA Plastic Surgery prefers sclerotherapy treatment for clients who have spider veins on the legs and other parts of the body. This involves injecting polidocanol into the affected vein, which causes the vein to collapse so that the body can absorb it and redirect blood flow further away from the skin. But for the face, we recommend IPL/BBL or laser. These treatments are safe and ideal for the smaller veins you’ll typically have on the face. Using a laser device, a professional targets the veins precisely with BBL (Broadband Light). The light dissolves the vein in real time, and as it does, blood flow is redirected to deeper veins. BBL isn’t suitable for all skin tones because it may cause hyperpigmentation, so you should discuss this option with your doctor before beginning treatment.What can I expect during and after BBL Treatment?
Our patients describe the treatment causing “minimal discomfort.” It feels like a rubber band snapped against the skin again and again. That first snap may be somewhat startling, but after that, it’s less so. You’ll see the results in about a week, but you may need multiple treatments to get the full effect. Your doctor should discuss a treatment plan with you before you schedule the procedure, so you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. After we treat the spider veins on your face in Northern Virginia, you may experience temporary side effects such as:- Redness
- Itching, which should subside in 1-2 days
- Light sensitivity to the treated area, which means you should wear sunscreen for at least a week
How should I choose a treatment center for your procedure?
Of course we’ll recommend ourselves—but here’s why. When it comes to something as delicate as your face and your circulatory system, you don’t want to take any chances. Only get this procedure from a qualified, board-certified healthcare professional. Additionally, look for a center that specializes in delicate cosmetic treatments like this one because targeting facial veins, which tend to be smaller than leg veins, takes great precision. You also need to know that they’re using state-of-the-art equipment. Technology changes fast, and you deserve the best. The board-certified professionals at NOVA Plastic Surgery have the qualifications and experience, in addition to the advanced tools like the BBL laser, to deliver the flawless results you want and expect for your face and everywhere else. Don’t suffer with unsightly spider veins on the face any longer. Call us at 703-672-7354 or stop by to request a no-obligation consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes spider veins on the face?
Facial spider veins can be caused by genetics, prolonged sun exposure, drastic weather changes on unprotected skin, pressure changes from activities like intense sneezing or nose blowing, vigorous exercise, and chronic flushing from rosacea. Some people are simply more genetically predisposed to developing dilated capillaries near the skin's surface.
How does BBL treat facial spider veins?
BBL delivers pulses of broad-spectrum light that are specifically absorbed by the hemoglobin in spider veins. This light energy heats the blood vessel walls, causing them to collapse and seal shut. The body then gradually reabsorbs the closed vessel, and the red or blue discoloration fades over the weeks following treatment.
Is BBL treatment for spider veins painful?
Most patients describe BBL as a brief warm or rubber band snapping sensation during the light pulses. The treatment is generally well-tolerated and does not require anesthesia. A cooling system is used alongside the light delivery to minimize discomfort and protect the surrounding skin throughout the procedure.
How many BBL sessions are needed to clear facial spider veins?
The number of sessions depends on the density and extent of the spider veins. Many patients see significant improvement after two to three sessions spaced four weeks apart. Some lighter or more isolated veins may clear after a single treatment, while more extensive vascular concerns may require additional sessions.
Can sclerotherapy be used for facial spider veins like it is for leg veins?
Sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical agent into the vein, is generally not used on the face. The skin and vessels of the face are more delicate, and light-based treatments like BBL are preferred for facial spider veins because they are safer, more precise, and better suited to the thin and visible skin of the facial area.