When it comes to a preferred physical appearance, an individual’s face is generally a primary area of concern for men and women alike. As one of the most visible areas of the body that’s presented to the outside world on a daily basis, it comes as no surprise that those individuals considering the benefits of cosmetic treatment might focus on this area in particular. While there are a variety of reasons for seeking cosmetic treatment related to the face, the development of spider veins is a highly common one.
Spider veins generally present as thread-like webbing that can stretch across the face, hands, or legs. Spider veins are normally visible as red, purple, or blue lines and tend to be concentrated in a certain area of the face, normally around the nose, chin, or cheeks. While some spider veins stand out very clearly underneath the skin, other individuals that develop this condition may notice spider veins more as a flushed look across their face.
Fortunately, the development of spider veins, while common, isn’t necessarily a condition that an individual simply has to live with. Advancements in cosmetic technologies and services mean that prospective patients today enjoy a wonderful variety of options when it comes to treating facial spider veins and either diminishing their appearance or eliminating them altogether.
What Causes Spider Veins?
There are several reasons that spider veins can occur across the face which vary from individual to individual. Many cosmetic physicians link the development of spider veins back to excessive sun exposure. Those individuals with naturally fair skin are more susceptible to the development of spider veins, particularly if they spend an ample amount of time out in the sun over the long-term. Those individuals with underlying skin conditions such as rosacea are highly likely to develop spider veins at some point while other individuals may see spider veins occur simply due to the natural aging process.
Sometimes spider veins are an extension of a more severe underlying venous insufficiency. It’s not uncommon for those that suffer from varicose veins to see the development of spider veins too. Varicose veins that develop as a result of faulty vein valves begin to bulge as blood travels the wrong direction and begins to pool in the extremities or elsewhere in the body. As pressure builds, varicose veins form and spider veins can potentially be branches off of these more severe conditions as blood looks for healthier and more efficient routes to travel.
Treatment Options to Consider
When it comes to reducing the appearance of spider veins on the face or eliminating them entirely, targeted precision is key to success when deciding on a treatment option. Patients today enjoy a lineup of laser-based, energy-based and even injection-based solutions to choose from that are not only safe but highly effective and come with a shortened recovery period, ideal for those looking to get back to their daily routines quickly after treatment.
Intense Pulsed Light Treatment
Many patients hoping to treat facial spider veins are recommended Intense Pulsed Light treatment (IPL) as a solution. VeinWave is a brand name that’s often recognized within this umbrella of energy-based solutions for treating spider veins. IPL is a convenient outpatient procedure that can be performed in the comfort of an attending physician’s office over the course of only 10 to 20 minutes total. IPL is a non-invasive technique that directs targeted light energy towards the affected area from above the skin. As the energy reaches the veins, the vessels are encouraged to close and collapse due to heat, causing them to eventually be reabsorbed back into the body naturally. As they are absorbed, their appearance fades and eventually disappears. At most, patients report slight pigment changes at the treatment site as well as minimal scarring which is more likely to occur on patients with darker skin tones.
Sclerotherapy for Facial Spider Veins
More severe cases of facial spider veins may require sclerotherapy. This is also an outpatient procedure that provides physicians with the opportunity to collapse larger veins at the source. After a local anesthetic is applied, the attending physician will create a small pencil-tipped size incision and inject sclerosant into the problematic vein. The chemical makeup of this solution irritates the vein to the point of closure and collapse. Similar to IPL, this process gives the body the ability to naturally reabsorb defected spider veins, clearing up the skin to display a more streamlined appearance.
Contact Dr. Wright and His Team Today
If you’re struggling with facial spider veins and are considering the benefits of cosmetic treatment options, be sure to contact Dr. Wright and his team at the St. Louis Laser Vein Center today. We offer a comprehensive approach to patient care and can’t wait to partner with you on your path to change. We work hard to make sure that your cosmetic preferences are in line with your health history and always make safety and comfort top priorities.
