I have some spider veins under my eyes. Is it safe to use IPL on this thin part of the skin to remove them ?

Question

If so, will the laser only target the veins, not the surrounding skin ?

James Bonaparte, MD, MSc, FRCSC · Answer

Hi there, I recently published a study looking into this. One of the best lasers for facial veins is called ND:YAG laser. Its safe and can be very effective. Dr James BonaparteOtolayrngology - Head and Neck SurgeryFacial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryOttawa, Ontario, Canada

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Mathew.  Generally speaking, IPL will not work very well for facial veins.  The KTP laser (532 nm) and the Nd:Yg laser (1064 nm) are far superior.  If you look at the more difficult cases at the link below, you will find many that would not have been resolved with IPL simply because it is not a laser and is under-powered for this issue.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I have been treating with gratifying results spider veins and "broken blood vessels" (actually capillaries) of all sizes on the face and nose, including the region under the eyes, with radiowave treatments for well over twenty years. The treatment area is numbed using a topical or local anesthetic and a small probe is place on the surface of the skin above each of the unwanted spider vessels. A current is then passed via the probe and enters the unwanted vessels and closes them off permanently. (These little blood vessels serve no purpose for either nutrition or oxygenation of the skin, so they can be gotten rid of with impunity). The results of this treatment are immediate although not uncommonly, due to the body's ability to recanalize vessels (to attempt to remake them), such treatments, which take only a few minutes to perform,  typically need to be repeated between two to four times at monthly intervals to ensure maximal, permanent clearance. Unfortunately, over the years I have not been impressed with the results of lasers or IPL treatments, most of which appear to be backed by far more device manufacturer supported marketing hype than hard science (which may account for why, over the years, so many such devices have rocketed on the scene with much fanfare and then just as quickly disappeared to be replaced by "the next big thing.").

Margaret Weiss, MD · Answer

IPL can be a safe way to remove spider veins from under the eyes, but only if performed by a very experienced doctor. There are other vascular laser treatments available that can also remove facial spider veins. Visit a dermatologist who is a vein expert in order to get the best treatment recommendation.

Jeffrey C. Poole, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Veins on the face are best treated with either the Pulsed Dye Laser (such as the V-Beam) or a long-pulsed Nd:Yag laser (such as the GentleYag), depending upon the type and depth of the vessels.  If they are especially close to the eye, we would need to insert a protective shield under the eyelids.Of note, the IPL is NOT a laser--- it is an Intense Pulsed Light device--- which actually is quite different.  Think of IPL's as trying to be "jack of all trades, master of none", while lasers are more specialized and specific for a given problem.  Put another way-- IPL''s are the GP's of light devices while lasers are the specialist.  Of course, this requires that practices which do laser treatments to have access to a wide variety of lasers if they want to treat a wide variety of conditions.  Be sure to consult with a specialist in an accepted aesthetic field with experience in the use of a wide variety of lasers.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Broken veins and capillaries on the face can be hard to treat. You MUST visit a very experienced office. I would not recommend you treat this area unless your technician is extremely knowledgeable about treatment and lasers. I have found the InMode Lumecca to be better at treating veins like these than any other laser I've seen (and I've had about 17 lasers over the years). Additionally sometimes sclerotherapy is an option for these types of facial veins and capillaries. But you must see a well-trained injector for this. For this area specifically and this type of treatment you need to look for quality, experienced providers and not shop for the cheapest deal in town. "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and 
cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person 
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

I have some spider veins under my eyes. Is it safe to use IPL on this thin part of the skin to remove them ?

Answers (6)

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