Facial veins are one of those things people often notice all at once. One day your skin looks clear, and the next you catch a glimpse of fine red or blue lines that weren’t there before — or at least weren’t this noticeable.
HERO INTRO
Paragraph 1:
Facial veins are one of those things people often notice all at once. One day your skin looks clear, and the next you catch a glimpse of fine red or blue lines that weren’t there before — or at least weren’t this noticeable.
Paragraph 2:
These veins are very common and usually harmless. For many patients, the concern isn’t health-related. It’s about skin looking clearer and more even, especially in areas that draw attention like the cheeks or nose.
Visible blood vessels near the skin’s surface
Cheeks, nose, chin, around the eyes
Clearer, more even-looking skin
What Are Facial Veins?
Facial veins are small blood vessels that become visible near the surface of the skin. They often appear red, purple, or blue and may look like fine lines, branches, or clusters.
Common locations:
Size and appearance: Facial veins can range in size from very small (barely visible fine lines) to as large as a few millimeters. They’re sometimes referred to as “broken capillaries,” though the vessels aren’t actually broken — they’re dilated and visible through the skin.
Who is affected: Facial veins tend to occur more as we age and generally start to become visible around age 40, but we do see them in much younger patients. They are more common in fair-skinned individuals.
Why Facial Veins Develop
The exact cause of facial veins developing is not completely understood, but there are several associated factors.
Sun exposure — UV damage weakens blood vessel walls over time, making veins more likely to dilate and become visible.
Genetics — Family history plays a significant role in who develops visible facial veins.
Natural aging — As skin thins with age, underlying blood vessels become more visible.
Medical conditions — Conditions such as hypertension and rosacea are associated with facial vein development. Persistent redness or flushing increases the likelihood of visible vessels.
Temperature extremes — Repeated exposure to hot or cold temperatures can cause blood vessels to dilate.
Skin sensitivity — Sensitive or reactive skin may be more prone to visible vascular changes.
Conditions that involve persistent redness or flushing, such as rosacea, can increase the likelihood of visible facial veins. In other cases, facial veins appear as part of broader vascular changes similar to spider veins.
How to Prevent Facial Veins
While you can’t completely prevent facial veins, certain habits can help slow their development.
Sun avoidance:
Daily sunscreen: Wearing a good sunblock such as EltaMD will decrease the damage associated with sun exposure. A good sunblock should be worn daily, even on cloudy days — UV rays can pass through clouds and cause damage to your skin.
Protect from temperature extremes:
Manage underlying conditions: If you have rosacea or other conditions that cause flushing, working with a provider to manage those conditions can help prevent new facial veins from developing.
How Facial Veins Can Affect Appearance
Facial veins are usually considered a cosmetic issue rather than a medical concern. Treatment is typically not covered by insurance.
Patients often mention that facial veins:
These concerns are very common. Treating facial veins is about calming the appearance of the skin, not altering natural features.
What to Expect During a Consultation
A consultation at Lazaderm is focused on careful evaluation and education.
During your visit, your provider will:
You’ll have time to ask questions and decide whether treatment feels right for you.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Treatments for facial veins can significantly reduce visibility, but they don’t prevent new veins from forming in the future.
What to understand:
The goal is clearer-looking skin, not perfection.
Several non-surgical options can reduce the appearance of facial veins. A consultation allows your provider to evaluate the size, depth, and location of the veins before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
There are a few topical products that can improve the appearance of facial veins.
What to know:
For lasting improvement, in-office treatments are typically recommended.
Radiofrequency treatment can effectively treat small facial veins with precision.
How it works: The Ellman Surgitron uses radiofrequency energy to target and close individual small veins. The energy seals the vessel, and it gradually fades from view.
Best for:
This is a good approach when you have a limited number of small veins that need attention.
BBL, also called intense pulsed light (IPL), is excellent for treating diffuse small vessels over larger areas.
How it works: Light energy targets the hemoglobin in blood vessels, causing them to coagulate and gradually fade. The surrounding skin is left intact.
Treatment protocol:
Best for:
The Cutera 1064nm laser is excellent for treating medium to larger facial veins.
How it works: The laser targets and destroys the vein while leaving surrounding tissue undamaged. The treated vein is gradually absorbed by the body and fades from view.
Advantages of 1064nm laser:
Best for:
Your provider will determine whether laser treatment is appropriate based on the size and location of your veins.
Many patients benefit from combining treatments for optimal results.
Common combinations:
Why combination works: Different treatments target different vein sizes and depths. Combining approaches allows for comprehensive improvement across all types of visible vessels.
Your provider will recommend the most effective combination based on your specific vein patterns.
After treatment, ongoing care helps maintain results and prevent new veins from developing.
Maintenance strategies:
Ongoing care: Some patients benefit from periodic BBL treatments to address new vessels as they appear. Your provider will discuss whether maintenance treatments make sense for your situation.
If facial veins are something you’ve been noticing and want evaluated, a consultation can help you understand your options. At Lazaderm, consultations focus on education, safety, and helping you feel comfortable with your care plan.
