Broken blood vessels on the face reduce its aesthetic. It is a skin condition, also called spider veins, wherein the blood vessels dilate and enlarge just beneath the skin’s surface (1).
Spider veins appear as small red lines radiating outwards, forming the shape of a spider’s web, thus named so. Even though spider veins can develop in any part of the body, getting them on the face may make a person self-conscious.
Spider veins are harmless but indicate some underlying health conditions. If you have developed broken blood vessels on your face lately, the article will provide insight into it.
Let’s find out what causes spider veins and how to prevent and treat these annoying broken blood vessels.
What Causes Broken Blood Vessels On The Face?
Spider veins are a skin condition and can affect anyone, regardless of age and gender. Some people have the tendency to develop spider veins more than others. It can also affect children.
However, there are a few cases where the chances of getting broken blood vessels on the face increase. These are the following-
- Heredity: If any of your parents or grandparents have the tendency to develop spider veins, you may get them, too. In such cases, these broken blood vessels appear more frequently with an increasing age.
- Pregnancy: Some women develop spider veins during pregnancy, for which the pregnancy hormone estrogen can be blamed. Luckily, the broken blood vessels occurring in pregnancy are temporary and resolve once the baby is delivered (2).
- Rosacea: Spider veins may indicate an underlying skin condition called Rosacea. It causes excessive redness on the cheeks and around the nose that makes the person look blushed all the time.
- Excessive sun exposure: Staying under the sun for longer hours can enlarge the blood vessels. Since tanning and sunburn damage the topmost layer of the skin, these enlarged and broken blood vessels become prominent on the face.
- Hot weather: Some people are susceptible to hot weather conditions that dilate their blood vessels.
- Injuries: Regardless of the type of injury on the face, the blood vessels may break and become more prominent due to the skin’s thin texture.
Besides these major causes of getting broken blood vessels on the face, some people can also get them due to excessive alcohol consumption. Moreover, those with sensitive skin can get skin irritation due to any allergen or irritant. Likewise, sudden vomiting or sneezing can also exert pressure on the face, making the blood vessels dilate.
Is It Possible To Diagnose Spider Veins At Home?
Yes, spider veins look pretty prominent on the face. They are more noticeable among people with fair and thin skin. However, it is better to visit a dermatologist and get your skin checked before confirming that the broken blood vessels are spider veins.
The doctor will diagnose the condition correctly, find the underlying cause, and provide the right treatment.
How To Treat Broken Blood Vessels On The Face?
Home remedies prove to be beneficial for a number of skin conditions, including spider veins. Even though they may not treat or cure the problem completely, they can make them appear less noticeable
Here are some natural home remedies for broken blood vessels on the face-
- Avoid washing your face with hot water: As already mentioned, heat dilates the blood vessels, making them prone to break; always use slightly warm water instead of hot water to wash your face.
- Apple cider vinegar: Using this easily available natural ingredient on your face as an astringent can help diminish the appearance of spider veins. Apply a small amount of apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply it daily over the targeted areas.
- Horse chestnut: The benefits of horse chestnut for vein health have been studied. It is often used to improve poor blood flow in the veins (3). People with broken blood vessels can use it topically to find some relief.
Medical Treatments Options
If you often get spider veins and none of the home remedies or preventive measures seem fruitful, seeking medical help is the last resort.
Here are a few medical treatments that doctors recommend based on your skin condition-
- Retinoids: Topical creams infused with retinol are the first treatment line for spider veins.
- Laser therapy: In this procedure, the specialists use strong laser lights to fade or destroy the spider veins.
- Intense pulsed light: In this procedure, light with strong intensity is penetrated deep into the second layer of the skin without harming the first layer.
- Sclerotherapy: In this therapy, the dermatologist injects a solution into broken blood vessels. As a result, the vessels close, and the blood reroutes to the vessels that are not visible (4).
How To Prevent Broken Blood Vessels On The Face?
If you have a family history of developing spider veins, the best thing you can do is prevent them in the first place. There are certain preventive measures that can help reduce the chances of the veins enlarging and breaking.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure: Try to stay away from sun exposure for longer hours, as heat can easily damage your face’s veins, making them appear red and broken. Wear sunscreen all the time.
- Avoid extreme heat: People who are prone to spider veins should avoid heat not just from the weather but from spas and saunas, too.
- Drink in moderation: If you are developing broken blood vessels on your face due to excessive drinking, limit it immediately to see the difference.
Usually, these treatments are safe and do not pose any risk. However, getting red, swollen, or irritated skin for a few days is common and resolves on its own.
Conclusion
Getting self-conscious due to broken blood vessels on the face is obvious. The best thing is there are different home remedies and medical treatments that can provide relief from the condition. At the same time, people with a history of developing spider veins can take preventive measures to reduce their chances of occurrence.
Remember, if the broken blood vessels on the face are due to pregnancy or some other health condition, they will resolve gradually.
References
- National Library Of Medicine – Spider Veins
- ScienceDirect – Pregnancy conditions and complications associated with the development of varicose veins
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – Horse Chestnut
- National Library Of Medicine – A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Spider Veins
