Facial spider veins are fine blood vessels close to the skin’s surface that have widened and become visible. The medical term is telangiectasia, and they are also commonly called broken capillaries or couperose. Spider vein treatment aims to reduce how visible these vessels are and to even out skin tone.

These vessels usually appear as thin red, pink or purplish lines or web-like patterns. They are most common on the sides of the nose, the cheeks and around the chin. In some people, rather than individual vessels, a widespread, persistent redness on the cheeks is the main concern.

Facial spider veins are usually harmless to health. Even so, they can make you self-conscious, lead you to rely on makeup to cover them and leave the skin more sensitive. Vessels that appear suddenly, spread widely or come with other symptoms should be assessed by a doctor for an underlying condition.

Both women and men can have broken capillaries, and they often become more noticeable after the age of 30. Flushing that at first appears only in heat or when you are excited may become persistent over time, so learning good skin care habits and recognizing your triggers early is important.

Several factors usually work together:

• Genetics: more common in people with fair skin and a family history.
• Sun damage: long-term sun exposure can weaken the vessel walls and the supporting tissue around them.
• Rosacea: a chronic skin condition with facial redness and visible vessels; see rosacea treatment.
• Sudden temperature changes: moving often between cold, wind and hot environments makes vessels widen and narrow repeatedly.
• Age: thinner skin lets the vessels underneath show more easily.
• Habits: alcohol, smoking and very hot drinks can increase redness in some people.
• Long-term cortisone creams: used without medical supervision, they can thin the skin.

Pregnancy and hormonal changes may also be linked to new vessels, and harsh exfoliants or rubbing can make redness more visible.

Treatment starts with an examination. The extent of the vessels, the degree of redness, your skin type and any related condition such as rosacea are assessed. If rosacea is present, the condition driving the redness also needs to be brought under control.

At our clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, these methods are used for facial spider veins and redness:

• BBL laser: BBL laser uses broadband light that targets the red pigment inside the vessels. The light energy turns into heat, the vessel gradually shrinks and the body clears it over time.
• RedTouch Pro: the RedTouch Pro laser can help soften the look of fine surface vessels and superficial redness. Because it also supports skin quality, it is part of some treatment plans.

Before the session, the skin is cleansed, your eyes are protected with special goggles and a cooling gel is applied. A session usually takes 15–30 minutes, depending on the size of the area. You may feel a brief snap, similar to a rubber band, along with warmth.

Which method is used, at what energy level and for how many sessions is decided at your consultation. On darker or recently tanned skin, light-based settings are planned differently or treatment is postponed.

Whether or not you have treatment, skin prone to broken capillaries needs gentle care that can help reduce flare-ups and maintain results:

1. Wash with lukewarm water and a soap-free cleanser suited to sensitive skin.
2. Pat your skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing.
3. Use a fragrance-free, soothing moisturizer that supports the skin barrier.
4. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even when it is cloudy.
5. Avoid products containing alcohol, menthol or strong fragrance.

Harsh physical scrubs, hot steam treatments and long sauna sessions can increase redness. In-clinic facials should also be planned with ingredients suited to sensitive skin, and fragrance-free makeup that does not dry the skin can be a good choice.

The number of sessions varies with how dense and thick the vessels are. Usually 3–5 sessions are planned 3–4 weeks apart; fine, sparse vessels may need fewer.

Treated vessels shrink over time and become less visible. However, because the tendency to develop broken capillaries continues, new vessels may appear later. Sun protection, avoiding triggers and, when needed, one or two maintenance sessions a year can help results last longer.

How long results last depends on genetics, sun exposure, related conditions such as rosacea and your skin care habits. The first changes are usually noticeable within a few weeks and become clearer as sessions progress. Treatment does not remove the tendency itself; the aim is to reduce the visible vessels and give the skin a more balanced tone.