Spider Veins
Spider Veins, or Telangiectasia, are small enlarged blood vessels near the surface of the skin and usually measure only a few millimeters. They can develop anywhere on the body but are most common on the face and legs. These unsightly dilated blood vessels are often associated with chronic sun exposure, rosacea, overuse of cortisone creams and certain autoimmune diseases, and occasionally hereditary. Unlike varicose veins, which are induced and aggravated by gravity, spider veins are usually capillaries or small arteries (arterioles) in the papillary dermis, with weakened elastic fibers in their walls, which allow them to dilate and become visible. Spider Veins are typically treatment with Sclerotherapy or Laser. The Vein Center of San Diego can treat all types of spider veins.
Ectasias (Dilated Purple Veins)
These are purplish, dilated veins that appear on the cheeks, around the eyes, and around the lips. They increase in number with aging. The goal of treatment is to destroy or shrink these dilated vessels so that they are not noticeable. They are treated with electrocautery, sclerotherapy, laser, or surgical removal (phlebectomy).
Cherry Hemangiomas (Red Spots)
These are small, dome-shaped red or violaceous spots. They occur anywhere on the body. They are often present on the forehead of adults. They are treated with lasers or electrocautery.
Spider Angiomas (Red Tree-like Branches)
These lesions are small connections between tiny arteries (arterioles) and tiny veins. They have a central point of inflow, which may pulsate under magnification. They are best treated with lasers; however, they can be treated with electrocautery. They have a tendency to recur as a result of the arteriolar component re-connecting to other tiny capillaries in the skin so multiple treatments may be necessary. The treatment may result in tiny depressions of the skin that may or may not flatten over time.
Venous Lakes (Blue Spots on Lips)
Venous lakes are commonly seen as dark blue or purple spots on the vermillion border of the lips.They appear like a bruise that does not go away. When these lesions are raised, they may bleed and they are often difficult to hide with makeup. Treatment is with Intense Pulse Light or laser.
Telangiectasias (Fine Red Vessels on Nose and Cheeks)
These fine red vessels develop on and around the nose as well as on the cheeks. These vessels are treated with IPL or laser. Treatment with lasers may leave a tiny groove along the track of the vessel that may or may not resolve with time. These vessels are resistant to treatment so they may have to be treated several times and there is a tendency for new vessels to form over time.
Periorbital Veins (Eyelid Veins)
These are blue or purple veins (reticular veins) that occur around the eyes and on the eyelids. Periorbital veins can be treated with sclerotherapy; however, laser is probably a better choice. The larger veins are removed surgically. Some bruising can occur and will resolve over 5-10 days.
Temple Veins (Blue Veins Lateral to Eyes and Extending to Forehead)
Fair-skinned individuals may notice blue or purple veins on the temples that may extend to the forehead. The goal of treatment is to shrink these veins rather than remove them. These veins can be treated with sclerotherapy or laser.
Port-Wine Stains (Adult)
Adult port-wine stains are red to purple areas on the face and neck. They are usually deeper purple in color than those found in children. The often have a deep or cavernous component so that several lasers and several treatments are required. Intense Pulse Light is used to treat the deeper components and other lasers are used for the superficial parts of the lesions.
