Facial Spider Veins: What Are They Caused by?

Updated on: August 18, 2014

Without circulation, the human body would not be able to function. The heart pumps blood to all of the areas of the body, and the way that the blood reaches those areas is through the veins. As a person gets older, various lifestyle choices can make these veins more visible.

Such isn the case with facial spider veins. These are small, scraggly veins that usually appear on the cheeks and sometimes the forehead. Sometimes, high blood pressure can result in the presence of facial spider veins. However, more often than not, these kinds of veins can be caused by excessive sun exposure over the years.

In order to understand how sun exposure can cause facial spider veins, it is important to understand the composition of skin. There are a couple of thin upper skin layers, and then immediately under those are the veins. In the case of people who are particularly fair, these skin layers are even more fragile.

Although people who like to tan are at an extra risk for developing facial spider veins, the reality is that each time a very fair skinned person leaves the house, they put themselves at risk. The ultraviolet rays from the sun are intense, and repeated exposure to them results in the upper layers of the skin being repeatedly damaged and worn away. So, the main way to prevent these kinds of veins from happening is to always wear an SPF of 30 or higher. Additionally, people who already have these veins can get sclerotherapy treatments.

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