Spider veins, also known as facial telangiectasis, are small, dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin. They usually measure in size between 0.5 and 1.0mm in diameter and are typically seen on the nose, cheeks, and chin.
Although these veins are not dangerous, they can cause people to be self-conscious they’re very easily visible. Hormones can cause broken capillaries and women are more often likely to be affected due to higher oestrogen levels. This is especially so during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, or when they are using birth control pills. Other factors like obesity, sun exposure and overuse of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) products could also contribute to this condition. Broken capillaries can also be a symptom of rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition.
Retinoids may be prescribed by a doctor for some people with spider veins. This could reduce the visibility of the veins, However, it could also dry out the skin and cause itching. Makeup can be used to conceal these broken capillaries and there are several products that do a good job of covering them up temporarily. However, if you want an effective way to really improve this condition, medical treatments such as laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy are the way to go.