Spider Veins

Spider veins are harmless, but that doesn't make them easy to live with. The good news is that they're also some of the most treatable vascular concerns we see.

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Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels visible just beneath the surface of the skin. They tend to appear as red, blue, or purple web-like patterns on the legs, ankles, or face. Spider veins aren’t harmful or painful, but many patients find them annoying to look at, and over time, they tend to multiply rather than resolve on their own. At Element Dermatology, we treat spider veins with laser and light-based technology that targets the vessel directly, collapsing it without affecting the surrounding skin.

About This Condition

What Are Spider Veins and Why Do They Form?

Spider veins, medically known as telangiectasias, form when small blood vessels near the skin's surface become permanently dilated. They are flat and close to the surface, ranging from a millimetre or two in diameter to fine thread-like networks that branch across the skin. They don't cause pain or health problems in most cases, but they do tend to be self-reinforcing. Once a few appear, more tend to follow in the same area over time.

The causes vary depending on location. Facial spider veins are most often driven by sun exposure, rosacea, or skin sensitivity. Leg spider veins have a stronger genetic and circulatory component, and are more common in patients who spend long periods standing, have experienced hormonal changes such as pregnancy, or have a family history of vascular concerns.

Where spider veins commonly appear:

Face (Nose, Cheeks, Chin)

Facial spider veins are often fine red or pink vessels visible across the nose and cheeks, and are typically associated with sun damage, rosacea, or sensitive skin. They respond well to BBL Hero and the Aerolase NeoElite, which target the vessel without affecting surrounding tissue.

Legs and Ankles

Leg spider veins are usually blue, purple, or red and form branching web-like patterns on the thighs, calves, and ankles. They often appear near the knees or on the inner thigh. The Aerolase NeoElite is one of the most effective options for treating leg spider veins, penetrating to the necessary depth without the discomfort associated with older devices.

Chest and Décolletage

Fine red vessels on the chest are common in patients with a history of sun exposure or rosacea. They often appear alongside the diffuse redness and pigmentation changes that come with sun damage in this area. BBL Hero and Aerolase treat both the vascular and pigmentary components in the same session.

Around the Eyes

Small visible vessels around the eyes are among the most delicate to treat and require precise device selection and settings. The Aerolase NeoElite's ultra-short pulse width makes it the safest option for this area, delivering targeted energy without heat buildup in the surrounding tissue.

Prevention and maintenance are part of the picture. Treated spider veins don't return, but new ones can form, especially with continued sun exposure, prolonged standing, or in patients with a strong family history. Sun protection and compression stockings for leg veins reduce the rate of new vessel formation. Most patients who return for periodic maintenance sessions find their results hold well over time.

Targeted Treatments

How We Treat Spider Veins

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Frequently Asked Questions About Spider Veins

What’s the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?

Spider veins are small, flat, superficial vessels visible through the skin, usually a millimetre or two across. They're cosmetic rather than medical in most cases. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are larger, raised, and often twisted, appearing most commonly on the legs. They can cause discomfort, aching, and heaviness, and, in some cases, are associated with underlying venous insufficiency that requires medical attention.

Does laser treatment for spider veins hurt?

Most patients describe the sensation as a series of brief warm snaps across the skin, similar to a light rubber band flick. The Aerolase NeoElite is among the most comfortable laser treatments available due to its ultra-short pulse width, and most patients find they tolerate it well without numbing. The V-Beam and BBL may feel slightly more intense depending on the treatment area, but sessions are short, and the discomfort is brief. We'll let you know what to expect before we begin.

Will the veins come back after treatment?

Treated vessels are permanently closed and don't return. However, new spider veins can form over time, especially with continued sun exposure (for facial veins) or prolonged standing and genetic predisposition (for leg veins). Patients who maintain consistent sun protection and, for leg veins, wear compression stockings when standing for long periods, tend to see slower formation of new vessels.

Is laser treatment safe for darker skin tones?

Absolutely! The Aerolase NeoElite at 1064nm is one of the safest vascular laser options for patients with more melanin-rich skin, as its wavelength targets hemoglobin in the blood vessel rather than melanin in the skin, reducing the risk of pigmentation changes. We assess every patient's skin tone before treatment and will never recommend an approach that carries an inappropriate risk for your specific skin.