Facial Vein Treatment

Your body relies on small blood vessels called veins to deliver blood from your body to your heart. Veins are usually not visible through the skin; however, in fairer-skinned individuals (more commonly in women), veins may become visible and are commonly associated with age, occurring in individuals in their 40s and 50s.

Facial veins, most commonly appearing on the forehead, cheeks and eyelids, are dilated blood vessels which are typically the result of the weakening of elastic fibers in the blood vessel walls. Similar to veins in other parts of the body, facial veins are usually unthreatening; however, they can become a source of embarrassment if left untreated. Fortunately, effective cosmetic treatments exist which can eliminate facial spider veins and other common vein types to restore your youthful, even complexion.

To revitalize your facial appearance through the removal of facial veins, contact a healthcare provider in that specializes in facial vein treatment. Call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.

Facial Veins Cause

When it comes to causes, facial veins can derive from a number of factors. Differing from spider veins on the legs and feet, facial veins are typically caused by injured veins or capillaries, which may result from a number of factors including:

• Venous deficiency: Caused by a back-flow of blood in the veins, usually deriving from such medical conditions as prolonged inflammation, high blood pressure and obesity, venous deficiency causes damage to vessel walls which results in broken capillaries.
• Aging: Vein walls lose their elasticity as we age, leading to blood pooling in the veins which makes them more noticeable. This, combined with age-related skin thinning, is a recipe for vein visibility.
• Genetics: Genetic predispositions such as weak vein valves put you at a higher risk of developing facial veins.
• Hormones: Vein walls may become prone to weakening due to increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy, as well as the high level of blood circulation, which causes weakened veins to expand, while pressure from the enlarged uterus also plays a role in causing facial veins.
• Trauma or pressure: Facial injuries such as bruising can lead to veins on the face, while frequent sneezing caused by allergies has the potential for causing pressure which, in turn, may result in vein formation on the face.
• Rosacea: Causing swelling of the face, rosacea may cause a specific type of vein formation known as telangiectasia in which widened blood vessels near the surface of the skin cause threadlike red lines.
• Sun exposure: Damaged skin caused by recurrent exposure to the sun causes damage to the epidermis (the outer two layers making up the skin), leading to broken capillaries in the face.
• Lifestyle: Lifestyle factors such as stress, insomnia, eyestrain and lack of exercise can put you at an increased risk of sustaining broken capillaries.

Facial Vein Removal

Facial veins are typically superficial (i.e., unthreatening). They do, however, pose a cosmetic problem for many individuals, causing embarrassment. Facial vein removal is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed through a number of ways:

• Electrosurgery: Electrosurgery uses a handheld needle that distributes an electric current to the blood vessel, destroying it.
• Laser therapy: Vascular lasers focus high energy to target your hemoglobin, destroying the blood vessel.
• Intense pulsed light therapy: Similar to laser therapy, intense pulsed light therapy uses broadband light in place of focused light, similarly targeting your hemoglobin to destroy the blood vessel.
• Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy employs an injection of typically a salt solution directly into the affected vein(s), which causes irritation of the blood vessel lining. This results in the blood vessel collapsing and facilitates blood clotting, eventually causing the vessel to turn into scar tissue that fades away from view over time. 

A healthcare provider can evaluate the extent and severity of your facial veins, including whether they pose a health risk (such as whether the cause of your facial veins is an underlying health condition which warrants professional attention) or are purely cosmetic. Your healthcare provider will also be able to discuss treatment options with you, determining which treatment is best suited for your cosmetic or health needs.

Restore your confidence and improve your appearance; consult a healthcare provider in that specializes in facial vein treatment. Call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.

Author

Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG As an expert in preventive care, innovative treatment solutions, and laparoscopic surgery, board-certified OB/GYN Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG, is a trusted practitioner who’s been in private practice since 1985. Dr. Zikria earned his doctor of medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He went on to complete a competitive surgical residency program at Georgetown University in Washington. Dr. Zikria then went through a comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology residency program through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at the Magee-Women’s Hospital. He welcomes new and existing patients to his practice in Milpitas, California.