Spider Veins

WHAT ARE SPIDER VEINS?

They are identified by their strand-like appearance, and are often red or purple in colour. This condition is very common for people of all ages, and spider veins may appear as a single strand, or within a cluster – which is described as having a web-like appearance, hence the name. Places where spider veins are more likely to occur includes the face, legs and feet, with pregnancy occasionally causing them to appear on the stomach.  

WHAT CAUSES SPIDER VEINS?

Spider veins develop close to the surface of the skin. The cause of their development is most likely to be trauma or stress on the skin, such as for those who spend long periods on the feet. This stress can also come by way of ageing, excessive sun exposure, hormonal changes or inflamed skin. Skin inflammation is a typical symptom of rosacea, which commonly sees the development of spider veins on the nose and cheeks. Injury or heavy impact to the skin’s surface can also lead to broken blood vessels that become visible as spider veins. 

HOW CAN THIS BE TREATED?

Dr. Grace Kelly Aesthetic Skin Clinic has a variety of skin treatments available to help improve its overall quality and condition. IPL skin resurfacing in particular can eliminate the appearance of spider veins by heating the visible blood vessel, damaging the wall so the flow of blood is redirected to a healthier vein (which is not close to the skin’s surface). IPL skin rejuvenation is often recommended following a one-to-one consultation with one of our experienced clinicians.