Broken blood vessels, also known asspider veins, can occur in most body areas.
They also commonly develop in the legs.
Anyone can experience broken blood vessels in the face.
Svetlana Dolgova / Getty Images
Several treatment options are available.
Svetlana Dolgova / Getty Images
What Causes Broken Blood Vessels on the Face?
A variety of factors can lead to broken blood vessels on the face.
Broken blood vessels or spider veins in the face are common and usually harmless.
You may be able to identify them at home based on their appearance.
They look like fine red lines that form a web pattern on the skin.
If you are uncomfortable with the appearance of facial spider veins, consider seeing a healthcare provider.
A dermatologist can diagnose spider veins with a physical exam.
Tests used to evaluate veins in the body include anultrasoundandvenogram.
In most cases, a dermatologist diagnoses broken blood vessels in the face by examining them.
Because most home remedies have not been proven effective or safe, talk with a healthcare provider first.
Avoiding Hot Water and Extreme Temperatures
Use warm water in the shower and when washing your face.
Hot water can cause broken blood vessels because it causes the blood vessels to dilate and become more noticeable.
This can provide soothing relief and make blood vessels less visible.
It may contain anti-inflammatory compounds that are effective for skin conditions like spider veins.
Arnica oil is available as a topical treatment.
Do not use arnica oil if you are pregnant or have certain plant allergies.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazelis a natural remedy made from a plant.
Talk with a healthcare provider about how much witch hazel to use on your skin.
This gel has been used to treat several skin conditions likesunburns,frostbite, andbedsores.
Aloe vera is also a common ingredient in facial cleansers and moisturizers.
Start with a small amount and go up from there.
Talk with a dermatologist about adding a skin serum with vitamin C to your skin care routine.
Retinoids
Retinoidsare compounds in vitamin A that have been used to treat skin conditions like rosacea andacne.
They may reduce the appearance of broken blood vessels in the face.
They work by removing the outermost layer of skin.Ask your dermatologist for retinoid product recommendations.
It may also be used to destroy veins that are not functioning properly.
Your dermatologist may recommend several sessions of laser therapy to treat your spider veins.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapyis a spider vein treatment that uses injections.
A dermatologist injects a solution into the broken blood vessels that causes them to close.
Once the blood vessels have closed, the blood reroutes to other blood vessels.
This lessens the appearance of spider veins in the skin.
On the face, they appear as fine, red lines that form a web pattern.
Treatment options include retinoids, laser therapy, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, and sclerotherapy.
Natural remedies may be helpful but require more research.
See a healthcare provider for next steps.
Office on Womens Health.Varicose veins and spider veins.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rosacea: signs and symptoms.
National Weather Service.Summer heat: the silent killer.
Nemours Kids Health.Why do some pregnant women get varicose veins?.
Skin protection drug products for over-the-counter human use.
2014 May;7(5):36-44.
2014;10(Suppl 2):S392-S403.
doi:10.4103/0973-1296.133291
Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM.The roles of vitamin C in skin health.Nutrients.
2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866
Tabassum N, Hamdani M.Plants used to treat skin diseases.Pharmacogn Rev.
2014;8(15):52-60. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125531
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Horse chestnut.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Retinoid or retinol?.
National Cancer Institute.Definition of laser therapy.
2021;72(Suppl 2):23-36. doi:10.1007/s00105-020-04705-0
