Causes of Superficial Facial Veins
Spider veins are small, thin veins that look like spider webs or sunbursts on your skin. Although they can appear anywhere on your body, they tend to form most often on the face and the legs. They are the smaller version of varicose veins.
In most cases, spider veins on the face are harmless and do not cause pain, although they can cause you to feel self-conscious. Let’s talk about what causes these strange facial veins and where you can go if you’d like to have them removed.
What Causes Superficial Veins in the Face?
Studies have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of spider veins, and why some people get them while others do not. However, certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can contribute to the condition, including the following:
Sun Damage
Prolonged sun exposure decreases collagen production, which makes the skin thinner. Over time, the blood vessels located underneath the skin can then become more visible, especially among individuals with lighter skin tones. Therefore, if you’re going outside, it’s a good idea to apply sunscreen to shield your face against harmful UV rays.
Hormonal Influences
Women are more likely to develop spider veins than men are, and this is largely due to hormonal changes in their bodies. For instance, higher estrogen levels and blood pressure during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk of damage to the blood vessels, but this is usually naturally resolved on its own after childbirth.
Age
As we get older, the vein walls weaken slightly and our skin becomes a bit thinner. Therefore, the spider veins that were once hidden deep beneath the skin’s surface can become more prominent.
Skin Conditions
Rosacea is a common skin condition that can cause the skin on your face to flare up and redden. During an episode of rosacea, small blood vessels on your nose and cheeks swell and become visible.
Treating Superficial Veins
Unlike varicose veins, spider veins pose almost no health hazard. But if they are making you feel self-conscious, you can rest assured knowing that there are quick, minimally invasive treatments available for you.
Sclerotherapy is a popular treatment for eliminating spider veins from the face, legs, and elsewhere in the body. During this procedure, your doctor injects a liquid solution that closes the visible vein and reroutes the blood to healthy nearby veins.
You can also consider laser treatments that deliver energy at a wavelength that is absorbed by the blood in the vein. The blood vessel coagulates, and blood flows to other vessels.
Vein Specialist in Kansas City, MO
Superficial facial veins can make you feel self-conscious, but a vein specialist can help you treat them. If you would like to find out which option is right for you, visit the experts at Missouri Vein Specialists.
Our medical team is led by Dr. Scott Darling, a triple board-certified vein specialist and diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. We offer sclerotherapy and laser services that eliminate superficial and varicose veins, so you can achieve clear skin once again.
If you would like to schedule a vein screening or if you have any questions, call us today at (816) 792-3400 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you!
