Facial Spider Veins
Tiny red veins on the face may be an aesthetic problem, especially for young people. Although it is said that their formation is related to excessive alcohol use, this is not always true. The appearance of dilated veins is usually hereditary, but they may also occur in smokers, women who take hormonal contraceptives and as a consequence of over exposure to the sun.
Can facial red veins be treated?
Regardless of the cause of their occurrence, dilated facial veins can be treated with lasers. Treatments using older types of lasers were painful and caused visible burn injuries on the skin which could not be covered with make-up. It was a slow process and had very limited results.
Today’s techniques and equipment enables a quick and painless procedure with high results.
How does the vascular laser work?
Lasers produce a yellow light of a certain wavelength, which is absorbed by red hemoglobin pigment in red blood cells. This absorbed light energy is transformed into heat energy and causes the vein to seal up. The damaged vein is gradually absorbed, then disappears and never forms again. The benefit of this procedure is that the surrounding skin remains intact. Laser treatments however, do not prevent the formation of new spider veins, especially in smokers.
How many sessions are needed?
Minor disorders may be treated in one session. Patients with more prominent veins will need to 2 to 3 treatments to achieve the desired results.
What to expect after the procedure?
After the treatment flares may appear, lasting a few days. If a higher power laser beam is used, small bruised may emerge which will disappear within a week. Some patients may feel mild stinging that can last 2 to 5 days. In rare cases small pustules may emerge, but they disappear spontaneously. Veins will continually fade over a period of 6 to 8 weeks after the procedure.
Is the procedure painful?
During the procedure the patient may feel a slight stinging sensation. Pain is controlled with a cooling spray which is produced by the laser machine together with the light beam.
How to prepare for the procedure?
You should refrain from drinking alcohol and not take anticoagulants one week before the treatment.
Your skin should not be tanned and you must avoid sunbathing/tanning of the treated area 6 months after the procedure.
After the procedure, the treated area must be protected with a high sun protection factor sun screen every day. For complete protection. sun screen needs to be applied 1 hour before you go out into sunlight.
Possible Side Effects and Complications
Thanks to dynamic skin cooling, thermal skin injury is mild. Side effects are rare but may include:
Pigmentation: brown spots may appear after the treatment if the skin is not protected from sunlight.
Scars: these are very rare, but may emerge especially on the neck.
Infection: happens infrequently.
Reappearing of the spider veins: this happens most often in women who are taking hormonal contraceptives and in smokers. In patients with the hereditary form of the disorder, laser treatments cannot prevent the appearance of new spider veins.