How To Get Rid Of Spider Veins On Your Face

As you age, you're probably dealing with wrinkles and skin texture changes on your face. However, another issue you may not have anticipated showing up on your cheeks are spider veins. While you might think these small red capillaries are only visible on your legs, chances are, you'll see a few on your face as the years go by if you haven't already. They're caused by age, genetics, sun exposure, excessive alcohol consumption, rosacea, injury, or sneezing and vomiting (via Healthline).  

Board-certified, New York-licensed physician assistant Gabrielle Garritano explained the phenomenon to Byrdie. "Facial spider veins — also known as telangiectasias — are dilated blood vessels commonly seen on the sides of the nose, cheeks, and chin, measuring between 0.5-1mm," said Garritano, who is the founder and CEO of JECT. "Telangiectasias can be disease-associated (auto-immune diseases); however, more commonly we see them in patients who suffer from rosacea, chronic topical hydrocortisone use, and chronic sun exposure."

According to Healthline, these spider veins on your face are mostly a nuisance, but you still might not like having them. If you have these broken blood vessels on your face, you might think there's not much to do to make them go away. However, there's good news because a few different treatments can help reduce their appearance or eliminate them.

You have a few options for helping reduce the appearance of spider veins on your face, according to Byrdie. Laser treatments like Vbeam Prima Pulsed Dye Laser, Nd:YAG laser, and KTP laser can help eliminate these broken veins. They range from $400 to $500 per session. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), often called Photofacial, can also help people with lighter skin tones. 

If you'd rather not use lasers, though, retinoids and retinol can also help, and they have the added benefit of allowing you to treat the condition at home instead of several visits to the doctor. "Retinoids (and retinol) promote skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen synthesis, and are known for minimizing signs of aging like hyperpigmentation and fine lines," Gabrielle Garritano explained to Byrdie. "You can find over-the-counter creams and serums at different levels of strength for as little as around $12." 

If rosacea is the cause of your facial spider veins, Healthline recommends that you work with your doctor to treat the underlying condition to help keep the broken blood vessels from showing up again. In addition, you should take protective measures like avoiding the sun, limiting your alcohol intake, avoiding extreme heat, and using protective equipment for your face to prevent new spider veins on your face in the future.