Causes & Treatments for Spider Veins
What is Spider Veins?
Before we look into the treatments for spider veins, let us understand more about this vein dilation and its probable causes.
Dilated facial veins also known as “spider veins” or telangiectasias, is a common benign skin disorder that are small, thin and can appear on the surface of the skin. The widened blood vessels give the appearance of fine, easily visible, threadlike red, blue or purple lines. It grows gradually and is often seen in clusters. Spider veins are generally seen on areas frequently exposed to sunlight, like the cheeks and the nose. Apart from the face, it can also be found on the legs as well as the other parts of the body.
Spider veins are typically caused by weakened blood vessels, hormonal changes, genetics predisposition, aggravated by sun damage, extreme heat or cold or prolonged standing or sitting.
Difference between Spider Veins and Varicose Veins
Varicose veins on the other hand are large, swollen veins that appear on the surface of the skin. They often have a bulging or twisted appearance found on legs or feet. Generally, varicose veins are caused by weakened or damaged valves in the veins which can lead to blood pooling and increased pressure in the veins which leads them to enlarged, twisted, leading to discomfort, pain and/or even aching.
Apart from the difference in appearance and size, varicose veins are usually found on the legs or the feet and can be uncomfortable whereas spider veins are usually more a cosmetic concern.
Who is mostly like to develop Spider Veins?
- Individuals who work or play outdoors;
- are older, as your blood vessels begin to weaken and spider veins are more likely to form as skin ages;
- use health and beauty products that cause skin irritation, such as abrasive soaps and sponges;
- use corticosteroids and some skin products which thin and weaken the skin;
- drink too much alcohol, which increases the flow of blood in vessels; and are affected with diseases like rosacea, scleroderma, dermatomyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Treatment for Spider Veins
Spider veins and dilated facial vessels can become more noticeable over time, appearing as fine red or purple lines across areas such as the nose, cheeks and other parts of the face. For patients who are concerned about their appearance, vascular laser treatment can help reduce the visibility of these vessels and improve the appearance of persistent facial redness.
At ENSOUL, our doctors, Dr Kenneth Thean, Dr Chiam CT and Dr Daniel Toh use the 577 nm Yellow Laser to treat selected facial vascular concerns. The 577 nm wavelength is specifically absorbed by haemoglobin within the blood vessels, allowing the laser energy to selectively target the dilated vessels while minimising unnecessary treatment of the surrounding skin.
The controlled heat causes the targeted vessels to contract and gradually become less visible, helping to reduce the appearance of fine red vessels and vascular patterns on the skin.
When many tiny dilated vessels are present across the face, they may also contribute to persistent facial redness or a flushed appearance. The Yellow Laser can be used to target these visible vessels individually or across a wider treatment area, depending on the pattern and extent of the redness.
Treatment typically takes around 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. Most patients can return to their usual daily activities afterwards, although temporary redness, warmth or mild swelling may occur following treatment. As new dilated vessels can develop over time, patients are also advised to protect their skin from excessive sun exposure and extreme temperatures, particularly if these are known to trigger facial redness.