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The common name for telangietasias—spider veins—comes
from the spider-like shape that the blue and red veins
sometimes form. These vascular lesions can also resemble
a tree branch or they can appear on the nose, chin or cheeks as
single, short, isolated lines (linear veins).
Facial Spider Veins vs. Rosacea
Spider veins are benign. Although they may
be unsightly, they should not cause pain or discomfort.
Rosacea, on the other hand, is a chronic skin
condition whose symptoms can include spider-shaped
blood vessels as well as redness, swelling, and acne-like pustules.
Having facial veins alone does not automatically mean
that you have rosacea. However, if you develop telangietasias
on the face in addition to one or more of the other symptoms of
rosacea, you should see a dermatologist. Rosacea is much
easier to treat if diagnosed early. As part of the treatment
for this chronic skin condition, facial spider veins are often removed.
What Causes Facial Veins to Appear?
Spider veins occur when the one-way valves in
the tiny blood vessels fail to work, causing a leakage of
blood back into the veins. This causes the vessels to dilate,
or enlarge—and, eventually, to become visible through the skin’s
epidermis layer.
Researchers aren’t exactly sure why some people develop facial
spider veins and others don’t, but they have identified a variety of
factors that appear to increase the risk. These include gender
(women are slightly more prone to them), prolonged sun exposure,
hormonal influences (such as during pregnancy), and heredity.
Although skin complexion or color is not risk factor, telangietasias
tend to be more noticeable on fair skinned people.
How Are They Treated?
Laser and other light-based therapies use pulses of light
to shrink and remove the unwanted veins.
Laser technologies have increasingly become the
treatment of choice for unwanted facial veins.
The physics and precision of lasers, when utilized in the right hands,
usually results in a positive treatment outcome.
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