Facial Veins Specialist

What do facial veins look like?

Facial veins — also called telangiectasias — are tiny, red veins that run underneath the surface of your skin but can become visible under certain circumstances. Visible facial veins are similar to varicose veins in the legs, except they occur only on your face, typically around the nose, chin, and cheeks, are very small in size.

Visible facial veins can appear as a series of lines or like tree branches or a spiderweb and are typically red or blue. In most cases, facial veins are only a cosmetic issue, though they can cause discomfort, such as aching, burning, and swelling near the affected veins.

What causes visible facial veins?

Facial veins can become visible if the capillaries — or tiny veins — in your face are damaged and blood begins to pool in those veins. This can happen when your skin is damaged by UV radiation. Other possible causes of facial veins include:

• Family history of visible facial veins
• Sun and wind exposure
• Medications that widen blood vessels
• Pregnancy
• Alcohol consumption
• Trauma to the skin
• Surgical incisions
• Acne
• Long-term use of oral or topical corticosteroids

Visible facial veins are generally more common in women, especially between the ages of 18 to 35. If left untreated, facial veins can become worse — with either an increase in visible facial veins or the veins become darker or more obvious.

When should I see a doctor about my facial veins?

You should see a doctor if your facial veins are a cosmetic concern or cause discomfort for you. In some cases, facial veins may appear in relation to another medical condition — such as lupus or rosacea — that requires medical care.

Your doctors can determine what types of treatments are best for you in order to improve the appearance of your skin and possibly remove your visible facial veins altogether.

What types of treatment are available for facial veins?

Depending on the cause of your facial veins and the severity of your condition, the team may recommend conservative treatments to protect your skin, such as applying sunscreen daily or avoiding sun exposure during peak UV radiation hours, or minimally invasive laser treatments or injections.

Laser therapy and certain types of injections may be used to seal a vein and prevent blood from pooling in that area again. After these treatments, your blood naturally flows to other healthy veins.

To learn more about treatment for facial veins at Laser & Varicose Vein Treatment Center, call or book an appointment online now.