The Latest Advances in Treating Facial Veins: What You Need to Know

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

Spider veins, varicose veins, telangiectasia, broken capillaries. They might go by different names and have slightly different appearances, but one thing is for sure: They’re unsightly and annoying, especially when they stare right back at you every time you look in the mirror.

Unsightly facial veins have a number of common causes, often tied to environmental factors, lifestyle choices, or the inevitable aging process. These causes include genetics, hormonal changes (including during menopause and pregnancy), blood vessel deterioration due to age, rosacea, excessive alcohol consumption, and more.

The good news: There are just as many affordable, effective treatment options to reduce the appearance of facial veins. Here’s what you should know about some of the most common.

Facial and Forehead Veins: Does Botox® Work?

First, some bad news. Botox Cosmetic is not recommended for the treatment of unsightly facial veins. In fact, because Botox may interfere with blood flow, it can temporarily worsen the appearance of certain skin-surface conditions.

Of course, Botox is indicated for a wide range of other cosmetic complaints, and people with unsightly facial veins can still get Botox treatment as long as the injection site isn’t near an active vein complex. Be sure to work with a provider who has completed an accredited Botox training course — one who understands potential Botox side effects and complications.

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment

The two most popular treatments for unsightly veins are cosmetic laser therapy and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment. These treatments act in similar ways, using powerful, focused light to eliminate superficial imperfections on and just beneath the surface of the skin.

Like Botox, laser and IPL treatment is a medical procedure that should only be performed by a well-trained provider, in this case, one who has completed cosmetic laser training.

At-Home Cosmetic Treatment Options

Home remedies for unsightly veins do exist, though they’re not as effective as professional options like laser and IPL treatment:

Cold therapy: Applying a cold compress or freezer pack (frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel will do)
Warm wash: Thoroughly washing the face with warm rather than hot water, avoiding steamy or very hot environments (such as saunas and steam rooms)
Astringent treatment: Over-the-counter astringents, like witch hazel, may reduce the appearance of broken capillaries
Aloe vera: Topical aloe vera can stimulate some healing around unsightly veins, though it’s less effective for larger veins

What Else Can You Do to Treat Facial Veins?

Whether you choose to seek treatment now for unsightly facial veins or wait to see how the condition develops, you can take some simple steps on your own to protect your skin from further damage.

Managing Environmental Risks for Facial Veins

Think back to the list of risk factors for facial veins. Some of these are out of your control, but not all of them.

The biggest environmental risk, for example, is sun damage. To avoid that, you can:

Avoid prolonged sun exposure
Wear high-SPF sunscreen if you plan to spend more than 15 minutes in the sun
Use an SPF moisturizer every day
Moisturize your skin after sun exposure

Simple Lifestyle Shifts to Reduce Facial Veins

Lifestyle factors affect skin and vascular health as well. Try these simple adjustments:

Reducing alcohol consumption (no more than one drink per day for women and two for men, and ideally much less)
Ceasing smoking and vaping
Hydrating throughout the day
Eating a balanced diet that includes a mix of protein, carbs, and healthy fats with plenty of vitamins and minerals