You may be wondering how to remove facial and spider veins on the face. These spider veins are actually broken blood vessels, and appear as clusters of red or purple veins on the cheeks or nose. Blood flow backs up in these veins, as blood pools within them. Redness of the face can occur as a result of vein damage.
Reticular veins are slightly larger and appear around the eyes, nose, and mouth. These are often larger than spider veins, may bulge slightly, and are blue in appearance.
Facial veins, also known as telangiectasias, are a common condition – but most people find they dislike their appearance. If this applies to you, it can affect your self-esteem and lead to self-consciousness and the need to cover the unwanted vein with makeup.
Despite their appearance, they’re unlikely to cause any discomfort or further complications. They can, however, be an early indicator of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). But for most, they are just an inconvenience. And that’s why many people wonder how to treat them effectively.
Facial vein treatment comes with some careful considerations. Different treatments come with different levels of invasiveness, cost, and recovery time. For this reason, it’s important that you consult with a vein specialist to find the best way of treating your facial veins and devise a treatment plan for your individual circumstances.
Here is all you need to know about spider vein treatment options, so that you can make the best choice for you!
Facial vein treatment options
Laser therapy
Laser therapy is the collective term for several kinds of light therapy that use lasers to remove facial veins. It’s a very common and effective way to treat facial veins. There are several different types of laser therapy. And whether you have light skin, or dark skin, small veins, or large veins, few, or many – happily, there’s a type of laser therapy for them all.
Laser therapy is generally best for naturally fair skin or medium skin tones without a sun tan. This is because the laser targets veins by their colour.
However, there are some exceptions: the IPL device can be set up to better work with your darker skin tone. Nd:YAG also works well for people with dark skin colours. Darker skinned people might want to consider sclerotherapy to address their veins. In all cases, it’s crucial to speak to your dermatologist to discuss the best options.
The following light treatments all use light energy to fix facial veins, so let’s look at them in more detail:
Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)
How it works: This device emits concentrated yellow light in short pulses – hence the name. This light is then absorbed by red blood cells and destroyed. The red colour is removed from the blood vessels harmlessly when the light from the laser is converted to heat energy. This type of laser vein removal happens without damage to the surrounding tissue. A common PDL treatment is Vbeam Perfecta and Vbeam Prima pulsed dye laser, safe and effective treatments for small spider veins.
Who’s it best for? PDL can treat deeper visible facial veins. It’s best for fair skin.
What to expect: It can take between 3 – 6 sessions to fully remove facial veins. Discomfort is described as the snapping of warm elastic against the skin. You can choose to have an anaesthetic gel, however this isn’t usually required.
Side effects: Some redness and swelling may occur immediately after treatment. PDL can cause darkening of the skin, so discuss this with your provider.
Cost: In the US, $500 per session. In the UK, £200 – £350.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
How it works: IPL is not strictly a laser, but it works like one. This therapy uses light on many different wavelengths. Touted as the ultimate in-office treatment for visible veins, it also targets skin tone irregularities such as dark spots plus fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.
Who’s it best for? Great for treating smaller visible spider veins on the skin’s surface. IPL is often not recommended for darker skins, but it can be safe for darker skins if the device is set up correctly.
What to expect: Sessions are short, but it can take between 1 to 6 sessions to fully treat all the veins. Naturally, there is no downtime between sessions.
Side effects: Again, there may be discomfort but it is generally well tolerated. Some redness and swelling may occur immediately after treatment.
Cost: IPL is generally a cheaper option, between $300 – $600 in the US, and from £150 in the UK.
Nd:YAG
How it works: Nd:YAG lasers produce a near infra-red wavelength of light that’s capable of deep penetration. It heats and destroys damaged veins by coagulation.
Who’s it best for? A yag laser can penetrate deeper than PDLs, so it’s better for treating deep and large facial veins for better results. Nd:YAG lasers usually require fewer treatments to achieve the desired outcome. Nd:YAG works well for with darker skin tones.
What to expect: Visible veins can disappear from the first treatment, but additional treatments may be needed for the best results.
Side effects: This type of laser can cause more complications than PDL and IPL. It is also more painful. Redness, swelling, and itching may occur and usually last a few days. 10% of patients experience slight bruising.
Cost: $500 per session in the US. From £85 for a 45 minute session in the UK.
KTP laser
How it works: KTP laser uses green light, which is attracted to the colour of blood vessels. The laser heats the blood vessels, causing them to break down and eventually be reabsorbed.
Who’s it best for? Some believe it’s the most effective treatment for treating the small red veins that are close to the surface of the skin, along with spider veins and larger veins around the nose. KTP laser is better suited for lighter skin tones.
What to expect: The discomfort from a KTP laser is generally mild. And with only 2 treatments needed for full results, it makes a good choice.
Side effects: Redness and swelling may occur, but subside after a few days.
Cost: $400 per session in the US. £295 in the UK. KTP is one of the most affordable options.
Sclerotherapy
How it works: Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment where your healthcare provider injects a solution into the damaged vein. This causes it to collapse and eventually be reabsorbed by the body.
Who’s it best for? Those with darker skin will appreciate that this technique is less likely to cause hyperpigmentation. This treatment is popular for treating varicose veins. It’s less aggressive than surgery, but you will need to be assessed prior to any treatment to ensure your suitability. Those on blood thinners may not be suitable.
What to expect: Most patients liken the sensation to a mild pricking feeling and say it didn’t hurt as much as they thought it would.
Side effects? Some pain and swelling may occur, this is usually short-lived. Sometimes, sclerotherapy can cause pigmentation, which fades within a few months.
Cost: From $300/£300 upwards.
Veinwave
How it works: This treatment applies a small amount of microwave energy to the vein to destroy it and allow it to be reabsorbed by the body over time. This process is known as thermocoagulation.
Who’s it best for? Anybody with unwanted veins on their face.
What to expect: Veinwave is relatively painless and unlike laser treatment it doesn’t carry the risk of scarring or pigmentation. Veinwave has a 90% success rate, but some veins will return in time.
Side effects: Often, the treated area will develop light scabbing, which will dissipate over time. Some experience light bruising.
Cost: It costs from $200 in the US and £75 per single session in the UK.
Electrocoagulation
How it works: Like Veinwave, this treatment also uses a small needle, however it’s an electrical current that’s passed through the vein in this case.
What to expect: It can cause minimal discomfort and a warm sensation on the skin.
Side effects: Electrocoagulation can cause redness, swelling, or minor discomfort for a few days to a week, with full healing typically occurring within 1 – 2 weeks. Sometimes, small scabs can form which will drop off in time.
Cost: From £45 in the UK, costs in the US vary per provider.
Radiofrequency Therapy
How it works: A minimally invasive way to remove veins, radiofrequency therapy uses radio waves to damage and seal the problematic vein. Arguably, this technique gives the best outcomes to patients as it is very low risk.
What to expect: For this treatment, a local anaesthetic is often applied. The only sensation felt should be heat.
Side effects: Redness and swelling, which usually clear within 24 hours. Some pain may occur after the treatment. Speak to your provider to learn how to manage this.
Cost: This is one of the more expensive options and costs from $1500 in the US, and £500 in the UK.
Surgical Excision
Removing facial veins with surgery is considered when the vein is too large to be removed any other way. In this case, vein removal is probably not purely cosmetic, and so may be covered by health insurance or via the NHS. Varicose veins are often removed this way.
Aftercare for facial thread veins treatment
It’s normal to experience some swelling, redness, and discomfort after thread vein removal by any method. Here are some ways to take care of your skin after vein treatment:
- Apply an ice pack or cold compress every 2 – 3 hours for the first few days to alleviate the discomfort.
- Over the counter painkillers will help with any pain.
- Try a cooling aloe vera gel to soothe your skin.
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen at least SPF 30 every day.
- Avoid hot baths, saunas, jacuzzis, sunbeds, etc. Consult your treatment provider on how long to abstain from these activities.
Maintaining your treatment
Once healing is complete, and for optimal results, follow a gentle skin care routine with retinoids to help to reduce the appearance of facial veins. You need to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 for several months to protect your skin in this delicate phase.
Why do people get facial veins?
Many factors go into the reasons why people develop facial and varicose veins. For some, it may be a combination of factors.
Aging
The most common reason is simply aging. It is estimated that 50% of Americans aged 50 or over experience broken capillaries, facial veins, or other kinds of vein problems.
Genetics
Vein problems tend to run in families, so if you experience facial veins, it could be hereditary.
Lifestyle
It goes without saying, but smoking and alcohol consumption take their toll on your skin. Smoking slows the circulation and restricts the blood vessels. It also weakens blood vessel walls over time, causing them to break. Alcohol widens the blood vessels and makes them appear more prominently.
Sun damage and weather exposure
Sun damage is a huge culprit when it comes to facial veins. So too, is weather exposure – extremes of temperature can cause veins to appear.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes can cause, and increase the appearance of, veins in the face. This is because the pregnancy hormone relaxin makes the vein wall more susceptible to collapse. The entire body contains extra blood during pregnancy. It’s clear to see that veins are put under a lot of pressure at this time.
Steroid medications
Steroid medications affect skin in a way that causes veins to appear more prominent.
Rosacea
Rosacea increases the appearance of spider veins.
Liver disease
Liver disease can cause facial and thread veins. Consult with your doctor to rule this out if you suspect there may be a problem.
Finding a dermatologist
Find a registered dermatologist to undertake facial vein removal. They can assess you, create a treatment plan, and provide the necessary aftercare. They are also governed by regulatory bodies to ensure your safety.
In America:
In the UK:
Can I get this done on the NHS?
Facial veins treatment is not normally covered by the NHS. However, there is an exceptional funding panel which may take your case into consideration.
Can I get this done on my medical insurance?
Not all insurers will cover you for facial vein removal for purely cosmetic reasons. However, if the veins are causing emotional distress you may have grounds to claim.
How to prevent facial veins
Here are some preventative measures you can try:
- Avoid vasodilators such as alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine, as they can exacerbate facial veins
- Use gentle temperatures, since washing your face in hot water, facial steaming, saunas, etc can break capillaries
- Be gentle with your face when cleansing, shaving, etc, and don’t pick pimples
- Avoid changes in pressure
- Be mindful of the weather and protect your skin from extremes of temperature and bright sunlight
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen at least SPF 30
How long does the treatment last?
Most treatments are permanent, however new veins can appear at any time, which is why it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent reoccurance. Some treatments are semi-permanent, which means the blood vessel was shrunk but not totally destroyed and may return in the future.
What are the risks of these treatments?
Here are some of the risks involved with thread vein treatment:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Mild bruising
- Hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones
- Mild scabbing and blistering
- Too much sun exposure can pose an issue, since skin is more susceptible to damage from UV rays after such treatments. Be sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen at 30 SPF or above to protect your sensitive skin.
- Infection is rare
Your practitioner will be sure to advise of all the risks involved before you have your treatment.
How do you get rid of visible veins on your face naturally?
Here’s some information about non-invasive treatment for facial thread vein removal. Consult with your doctor before trying any at-home treatments for veins on your face.
- Herbal supplements such as horse chestnut extract, Butcher’s broom, garlic, and prickly ash show promise for treating vein problems in the most natural way.
- Essential oils such as rosemary, yarrow, and lavender are said to be good for vein health as they improve circulation and boost healing.
- Massage improves circulation and enhances wellbeing, so it’s worth a try. Just be sure to be very gentle when massaging the face.
- Apple Cider Vinegar is said to work to tighten the veins, however there is no evidence to support this. ACV is also highly acidic and can cause damage to skin.
Can you remove facial veins at home?
The short answer is, no. Always hire a professional to remove facial veins. Although you can’t remove veins at home, retinol is said to reduce the appearance of facial spider veins and is a well studied skincare ingredient with proven benefits such as increasing collagen synthesis.
Aside from that, a gentle skincare routine without too many harsh ingredients is always a good idea!
Final thoughts on how to remove facial veins
We hope this article has given you all the information you need on how to remove facial and spider veins on the face. Consulting with a board-certified dermatologist to understand your skin type, circumstances, and needs, is paramount.
With the right treatment, your face will be back to its radiant self in no time!
Information provided is not intended to replace medical advice. Please see a board-certified dermatologist for help with spider veins.
Until next time!
