If so, this article will help you figure out what’s wrong and how to treat it so your skin looks clear again.

Why do we get “Spider Veins”?

Your veins carry blood throughout your body, all the way to your heart. As your veins carry the blood, it needs to travel in an upward direction all the way through the vein to get back to the heart. This direction goes against gravity. Gravity tries to pull the blood down when there is no push from behind; it may appear impossible for the blood flow to find its way back to the heart!

But the solution is valves! Elastic tissue inside veins is like a one-way gate that opens and closes. This action prevents blood from flowing backward.

If these valves are damaged or weak, the blood can’t flow in the correct direction and begins to pool in the veins. This buildup of blood can cause the pressure inside the vein to rise, causing the veins to twist or bulge and eventually branch out near the surface of the skin. This is called “Spider Veins” or “Varicose Veins.”

The differences between spider veins and varicose veins are in size and colour:

• Spider veins are small, thin, flat, and usually red, blue, or purple in colour.
• On the other hand, varicose veins are larger, raised, swollen, twisted, and dark purple or blue.
• The common factors for spider veins are genetics, age, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and pregnancy.

Spider Veins on the Face

Spider veins can be seen anywhere on the body, but most likely they appear on the legs or face.

Spider veins on the face are usually the result of sun damage or increased pressure that causes tiny blood vessels to burst.

You can avoid it by using sunscreen, staying out of the direct sun, and staying away from places that are very hot, like saunas or hot water.

Spider veins are usually not dangerous or painful, but you may be annoyed by seeing them under your skin. If this sounds like you, one of the safest and best options to consider is laser treatment.

How does laser treatment work for spider veins?

Only the blood cells in the veins will be able to absorb the energy that the laser emits. This makes the cells heat up, which makes them shrink and eventually break down in your body. Lasers would only remove the veins and leave your skin intact. After treatment, a small spider vein may completely disappear; however, a larger vein initially darkens and will disappear after 1-3 months.

Optimal results can be achieved after 2–4 treatment sessions.