Spider Veins on Face

For Broken Capillaries (telangiectasias) on the face there is a number of lasers that work well. Though IPL or BBL at the proper settings correct many there are also specialized laser such as the Diolite KTP laser, Sciton laser and Candella tuneable dye laser that work great for these problems. I do NOT recommend doing sclerotherapy around the nose as complications, some serious may occur in this area.

I do not recommend sclerotherapy treatment for the face.  Instead, a good treatment option for this would be Intense Pulse Light laser.  

The most common way to treat facial veins is with laser, not sclerotherapy.
Facial blood vessels are often mistakenly referred to as "broken" blood vessels. These are actually very functional, just unnecessary and superficial veins that are unwanted. They are most commonly treated by laser treatment with the newer versions of the old Pulsed Dye Laser. These newer 595 nm. lasers are high energy of pure yellow light, one specific monochromatic wavelength that is absorbed by the red color of the blood cells in the blood vessels. The energy absorbed is then converted to heat which damages the internal lining of the blood vessel and the body then starts a process of dissolving the vessel. Usually this takes several monthly treatments. This newer technology does not create the immediate bruising usually that occurred with the older pulsed dye lasers.
Other treatments include the electrical needle coagulator (hyfrecator) , the KTp laser, radiofrequency, and broad-band light energy (IPL).
Sclerotherapy which is commonly done for leg vein injections, has a risk when done on facial veins. These veins, especially near the central face, do not have valves and connect back with important veins of the head including those of the eye's retina. Should the liquid sclerosant travel back to these vital veins, or a clot form and travel, then serious consequences could occur.
Large veins on the face, especially near the eye, can be surgically tied off.

Treatment for facial spider veins generally consists of laser treatments such as the KTP, ND:YAG or pulsed dye lasers that target the red in the vessels or purple or blue color in the larger veins of the face. IPL treatments which is intense pulsed light may also be used. Sclerotherapy is rarely used due to the risk of embolization or breakage of small particles into the veins around the eyes that can result in blindness. While this risk is small, I would prefer to treat with the laser or IPL since it is safer and less risky.

Spider veins on the face are treated by IPL's, lasers, electric needles and sclerotherapy. They usually need 2-3 sessions a month apart at a cost of roughly $350/session.  

Yes, it has been used but many have concerns about the veins surrounding the eye and therefore it is not generally recommended.
Lasers (KTP or pulsed dye), infrared, IPL and/or hyfrecators are the most popular methods of treating facial spider veins.
With any treatment modality, there is a relatively high rate of relapse and you should be prepared to perform additional treatments over the years.

I don't recommend sclerotherapy for facial telangiectasias as it is quite painful. It is more ideal for leg veins.Lasers such as the 532 nm KTP pulsed dye or 1064 nm Nd YAG long pulse lasers are excellent for facial telangiectasias. 

Pulsed dye laser or intense pulsed light treatments can effectively remove spider veins on the face and is a much safer treatment than sclerotherapy.

For spider veins on the face, I would recommend laser treatment or IPL rather than sclerotherapy.  For larger vessels as well as small spiders the Nd:YAG, KTP or Pulsed Dye lasers work well and for very diffuse redness or flushing IPL is a great alternative. 

 

Some veins/vasculature are big and require laser. Often it just requires one or two treatments. Some veins/vasculature are very small and can be treated with IPL( intense pulse light).

If you have small veins/vasculature also have multiple brown spots and enlarged pore size then consider IPL as it treats those other concerns as well. Unlike the laser it will usually require a series of treatments to reach your endpoint.

Good Luck!

 

Robert F. Gray, MD, FACS