Why Do I Have Spider Veins On My Face?

a person staring at the camera

Few people think about spider veins appearing on their face until they notice them in their own reflection. While spider veins typically pose no health threat, the site of bluish or red lines on the face can be difficult to get used to.

The first question many patients have about facial spider veins is ‘How did I get them?’. These are the most common causes of spider veins on the face.

Age

The main cause of spider veins on a patient’s face is simply the aging process. As we grow older, skin and veins tend to weaken. As skin ages and declines in strength, the small red spider veins and larger blue spider veins on the face are more easily seen.

Genes

Vein disease tends to run in the family. If anyone in your family has suffered from varicose or spider veins, you are more likely to experience vein disease as well.

Sun exposure

Your blood vessels become enlarged when you expose yourself too much to the sun. Overexposure to the sun can lead to spider vein formation in the thin skin right below your eyes.

Rosacea

Rosacea and other inflammatory skin ailments like eczema can sometimes cause spider veins to develop. These conditions can cause irritation and dilation in the face, adding extra pressure to the small veins and capillaries of this area.

Pregnancy

Skin issues are common among pregnant women. The increase in estrogen hormones can be contributing factors that cause blood vessels to break.

Alcohol Consumption

When you consume alcohol, it causes your skin to flush. That redness in the face is caused by blood vessels becoming enlarged. If you are a binge drinker, there’s a chance your heavy alcohol use can lead to the formation of spider veins on your face.

Other Lifestyle Factors

Various lifestyle factors can contribute to the development of facial spider veins. Smoking causes damage to the veins and arteries in your face. Overexertion, excess stress, eyestrain and insomnia can also contribute to spider vein formation on the face.

Spider Vein Treatment

Unfortunately, spider veins will not just go away on their own. You can try using cover-up to hide spider veins, but that’s a short term fix. Luckily, there are simple, painless treatments available. 

Sclerotherapy is a very effective method of treating most spider veins. An irritating (sclerosing) solution is injected directly into the vein through a tiny micro needle. The vein closes, and then disappears with normal healing. Sclerotherapy has been a well accepted method of treating varicose veins for over 50 years.


Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us today to set up a consultation appointment.

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Exercise and Varicose Veins: The Do's and Don'ts