How Can I Get Rid of the Spider Veins on My Face?

Spider veins (telangiectasias) can become more common as you age. While you may notice these teeny-tiny blood vessels on your legs, you may also start to see them on your face. These red, blue or purple clusters that look like spiderwebs (or even tree branches) tend to appear along your cheeks and nose.

Though they aren’t usually a cause for concern from a medical perspective (and rarely cause symptoms), facial spider veins can impact your appearance and affect your confidence. A dermatologist may suggest cosmetic treatments like laser therapy to help reduce their appearance.

What causes spider veins on your face?

The most common cause of spider veins is sun-damaged skin (photoaging), says dermatologist Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.

Some other known causes of telangiectasias on your face include:

• Rosacea
• Hormonal changes
• Liver disease
• Connective tissue diseases, like scleroderma, dermatomyositis and lupus
• Injury or trauma (including surgery on your skin)

Women are more likely to experience spider veins than men, and spider veins become more common after the age of 80.

Other risk factors include:

• A family history of spider veins or varicose veins
• Chronic corticosteroid use
• Medications like hormonal birth control or hormone therapy
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Smoking

Can I prevent them?

Certain lifestyle changes can prevent spider veins from forming. Dr. Poblete-Lopez recommends that you:

• Limit direct sun exposure (and always wear sunscreen).
• Limit alcohol.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Don’t overuse topical steroids.
• Avoid skin care products with harsh chemicals or exfoliants.

“As the most common cause of spider veins is photoaging, or sun exposure and aging, the former is within our control,” notes Dr. Poblete-Lopez. “We can do this by protecting our skin from the sun on a daily basis, and not only when we’re going out. The other recommendations are also all within our control — and keeping your body healthy includes keeping our skin healthy.”

How to get rid of spider veins on your face

Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of spider veins at home. (At-home options like applying a cold compress or using a cold face roller may provide temporary results, if any.)

Your best bet to get rid of those facial spider veins — and the only real way — is by paying a visit to a dermatologist’s office.

Your doctor may recommend a noninvasive laser treatment that specifically targets vessels, heats them up and causes them to collapse. But it’s not a quick fix.

“We’re not talking about a one-time treatment. Telangiectasias would require laser therapy for three to four sessions every three to four months,” stresses Dr. Poblete-Lopez. “After that, you would need a touch-up treatment every six months to one year as needed.”

Can they come back?

Yes, it’s possible for spider veins to reappear on your face, says Dr. Poblete-Lopez.

“Undergoing a laser treatment doesn’t mean we’ve gotten rid of your spider veins,” she explains. “We’ve merely closed the blood vessels down, and they can reopen.”

Bottom line? Put your best face forward

Spider veins on your face are typically harmless. But if seeing those colorful clusters of broken capillaries on your face makes you unhappy, there are ways to reduce their appearance.

Talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist to discuss which lifestyle changes or treatment options may be best for you.