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Small or large facial spider veins and fine lines occur as the result of the aging process and/or sun exposure. Some ethnic backgrounds are more predisposed to the development of facial spider veins; namely those of northern European decent. Minimizing sun exposure and protecting oneself from the sun is the easiest way to prevent the further development of additional spider veins.  Rosacea is a condition where the skin of the cheeks, chin, and often central forehead develops increased redness due to increase blood vessels in the surface of the skin and possibly bacteria.  A red flushing is activated by heat alcohol intake and other factors.

Depending on the specific problem treatment can be performed with a Fraxel Laser, VBEAM pulsed dye laser or a KTP laser.  The KTP and VBEAM lasers are specifically designed to obliterate the vessels without causing any damage to the skin.  It does this with a specific wavelength of light and a patented cooling spray (dynamic cooling device) coupled electronically to the laser.  Usually this treatment can be performed causing the vessels to disappear with only a little light facial redness for 24 hrs.  The treatment is very effective; however the occasional patient with moderate to severe involvement may need more than one treatment or may require increased energy delivery leading to a slight recovery period. 

Facial pigmentation alteration (brown spots, age spots, sun spots) are best treated with the Fraxel laser.  Please see the Fraxel laser section of this website for more information.   

To determine if a patient is a good candidate for this procedure, Dr. Buckingham recommends a private patient consultation. 

Dr. Buckingham feels that successful facial plastic surgery results from the development and maintenance of good rapport between the patient, the surgeon, and his staff during the consultation and future appointments.  The consultation will include a complete facial analysis to determine the best procedure to bring about the desired results and all questions relating to the patient’s specific concerns will be addressed.

Prospective patients are encouraged to call the office to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience. 

Frequently Asked Facial Spider Vein Questions

Q - What are facial spider veins?
Facial spider veins are a type of vein occurring on the face as a result of age and sun exposure. They are more common among individuals of northern European decent. They may be referred to as starbursts because they often radiate out from a central point just beneath the skin like a starburst or spider. They may also appear as many fine, separate lines, as a tree with many branches, or as a maze of veins.

Q - How are facial spider veins treated?
While many spider veins occurring on the body can be treated with sclerotherapy, facial spider veins are usually best treated with laser therapy due to their small size. There are many different types of lasers which may be used including the Fraxel Laser, the VBEAM pulsed dye laser and the KTP laser. The VBEAM and KTP lasers are ideal for treating blood vessels as they eliminate them without damaging the surrounding the skin.

Q - What is laser surgery?
Laser surgery can be used with a variety of different types of lasers for a variety of different applications including skin resurfacing, spider vein treatment, rosacea treatment, and the removal of brown spots, birthmarks, skin lesions and tattoos. Facial spider veins are often treated with a VBEAM pulsed dye laser or KTP laser, which are ideal for treating blood vessels as they eliminate them without causing damage to the nearby skin.

Q - Who is the best candidate for facial spider vein treatment?
Candidates for facial spider vein treatment are in good physical health and have realistic expectations for the improvement of spider veins on the face. A private patient consultation with Dr. Buckingham can help to determine the best treatment for your facial spider veins.

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Frequently Asked Rosacea and Brown Spot Questions

Q - What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a condition in which the skin on the chin, cheeks and often the forehead become red as a result of increased blood vessels on the skin’s surface and possibly bacteria. Individuals with rosacea may experience a red flushing of the skin when drinking alcohol, exposed to heat or at other times.

Q - What are brown spots?
Brown spots, age spots and sun spots are irregularities in the facial pigmentation resulting in a discoloration of the skin. These discolorations may occur for a number of reasons including sun exposure, age and increases in estrogen levels which may result from pregnancy or the use of oral contraceptives.

Q - How is rosacea treated?
Rosacea can be treated using various laser therapies including the VBEAM pulsed dye laser and the KTP laser. These lasers are very effective in treating blood vessels as they eradicate the vessel while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

Q - How are brown spots treated?
Fraxel laser therapy or chemical peels are often used to treat facial pigmentation irregularities like brown spots, age spots and sun spots.  

Read more rosacea and brown spot questions.