Home > Cosmetic Dermatology > Laser Treatment for Telangiectasias

Telangiectasia, or facial spider veins, is a common skin condition that develops as you age. These permanently dilated blood vessels (telangiectasias) appear on the skin of the face as small, red lines on the nose, chin or cheeks. Although telangiectasias do not typically spur any medical concerns, many patients are bothered by their appearance and seek telangiectasia laser treatment to reduce their facial spider veins.Laser treatment, commonly in the form of pulsed dye and pulsed green lasers, are effective in reducing the appearance of telangiectasias and restoring skin to a smoother look and feel, by sealing off the targeted veins. During this procedure, patients may experience a mild sensation of a pinprick, and can choose to have a topical anesthetic applied if necessary.

Risk Factors

Along with aging, there are a number of other risk factors that can contribute to telangiectasia. Occupational hazards are among the most common especially in and around the St. Louis area. The biggest culprits are working outdoors a lot or sitting or standing all day on the job. Some people are also more vulnerable to facial spider veins due to a preexisting skin condition, most commonly rosacea or scleroderma. Telangiectasia is more common during pregnancy. Drug abuse (especially alcohol) and certain medications (especially corticosteroids and oral contraceptives) are also risk factors.

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More Serious Types of Telangiectasia

In some cases, telangiectasias can become so swollen that they cause itching or other physical discomfort. If these veins are already having an adverse effect on your appearance, this can be a double whammy with a substantial impact on your overall health. There may be little concern for facial spider veins to directly cause a more serious medical condition, but certainly if you’ve starting feeling discomfort, it’s time to think about treatment for telangiectasia.

If you’ve heard about some spider veins that are life-threatening, you’re probably thinking of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). However, this rare, genetic disorder causes dilated blood vessels to form in vital internal organs instead of the skin.

What to Expect after Telangiectasia Laser Treatment

After laser treatment, some patients may experience redness, tenderness, bruising and pigment changes. These side effects are often mild and go away on their own within a few days. Patients should avoid wearing makeup until the following day but can resume work and other regular activities immediately following treatment.

Multiple treatments for telangiectasia are usually needed in order to achieve optimal results. Treatments can be performed at intervals of four to six weeks, and your doctor will discuss with you how many sessions you will need.

See a Dermatologist for Facial Spider Veins

Even if you have a regular skin care routine, it may not be possible to completely prevent telangiectasia. There is no shame in getting this skin condition. There’s also no shame in wanting to get treatment for facial spider veins, even if you’re not experiencing physical discomfort.

Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss telangiectasia laser treatment with one of our certified dermatologists.