Facial Veins or Rosacea

Facial spider veins and associated conditions such as rosacea are often worrying to sufferers because of their prominence on the facial, neck or chest areas.

These facial veins are often red or purple in appearance and are difficult to easily disguise.

The Causes of Facial Spider Veins
Most facial veins are caused by sun and wind damage. There may be a genetic predisposition to the problem. Men are often concerned that facial veins give the impression they drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Alcohol dilates the veins making them more obvious but does not cause the veins.
Other triggers for facial flushing include coffee, tea, heat, exercise and emotion.

Facial veins can occur:

• Commonly in men and women
• Are often an inherited trait from parents
• As a result of chronic sun exposure
• As a result of wind damage
• As a result of temperature extremes

Large Spider Veins
These veins appear in red or purple colours on the face or nose. Facial spider veins tend to occur more commonly on either the nose or cheeks of fair skinned people. These large red or purple veins on the face or nose which look obvious as individual veins, are best treated by laser or IPL such as Elos Aurora, Coolglide Excel vascular laser or Photoderm IPL. Because Palm Clinic has a range of lasers available we are able to combine technology to ensure the best treatment is provided for your particular problem. In some cases with very large facial veins we use microsclerotherapy as well as lasers.

Facial Flushing
Facial Flushing is caused by small spider veins that are not clearly visible and give the appearance of red flushing which is often seen on the facial, neck or chest areas. This usually follows embarassment, exercise, coffee, tea or alcohol. People who suffer from flushing may have the condition rosacea (see below). Photoderm IPL or Elos Aurora are the only non-surgical treatments that can improve this problem with any great success. For severe cases of facial flushing a surgical procedure called "endoscopic cervical sympathectomy" can be performed on referral from Palm Clinic.

Poikiloderma of Cervatte
Poikiloderma of Cervatte is a particular term for a type of red veins on the neck and chest. Sometimes it can be related to use of perfume or aftershave combined with sun exposure. This is a blush of very fine red veins on the neck, and redness can also extend to the chest area. Sometimes abnormal pigment (brown spots) are also found in these areas. The best treatment for this condition is Photoderm IPL, Elos Aurora and Coolglide Excel vascular laser.

Redness on the Neck
This is often due to Poikiloderma (see above) and is best treated by the Photoderm IPL, Elos Aurora and Coolglide Excel vascular laser.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a skin condition consisting of prominent redness, facial veins and sometimes pustules, usually on the central part of the face such as the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. The skin is often sensitive to perfumes and creams reacting with stinging and redness. Rosacea is more commonly found in women aged over 30 and people of Celtic ancestry with pale skin and blue eyes. Traditional treatment for rosacea consists of long-term antibiotics such as minocycline and topical gels such as Rosex. These address the pustules but do little to reduce the redness of rosacea. Photoderm IPL, Elos Aurora and Coolglide Excel laser can improve the redness and facial veins of rosacea after a series of treatments. The flushing reaction is also often reduced. To maintain the result shorter courses of treatment may be neccessary every couple of years.  

Birth Marks
Port wine stains and other vascular birth marks may be treated with Photoderm Intense Pulsed Light or the Coolglide Excel vascular laser.

Palm Clinic in Auckland, New Zealand has a team of expert doctors who specialise in the management of facial veins, rosacea and birthmarks with Photoderm IPL, Elos Aurora and Coolglide Excel vascular laser. For an appointment phone 09 5228128 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .