Facial veins are harmless but can be unattractive, embarrassing, and cause a decrease in self-confidence. At Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care, each laser expert is trained by Zuzana Likar, and expert in skin care. Facial veins are caused by weakened blood vessels that are enlarged right below the skin’s surface. Also known as spider veins, they are commonly found on the face and legs (though technically they can happen anywhere on the body). There is a genetic component to facial veins, so if your parents or grandparents had them there’s a higher chance that you’ll struggle with them, too.
Other factors that cause or exacerbate facial veins include sun exposure, weather changes, changes in pressure (such as when you’re in a plane), hormones related to pregnancy, rosacea, injuries, alcohol consumption, and environmental irritants like certain chemicals or pollutants. The good news is that facial veins can be quickly and effectively treated with either the VBeam Perfecta laser or broadband light (BBL) therapy, both of which are available at our medical day spa.
VBeam Perfecta
VBeam Perfecta is a pulsed-dye laser considered to be the gold standard when it comes to treating vascular lesions like facial veins. It also works on minimizing pigmented and non-pigmented lesions with little risk of side effects. It has been FDA-cleared to treat a number of skin concerns including facial veins. The latest technology makes up VBeam Perfecta with a 595 nm wavelength option that ideally blends depth penetration with a high hemoglobin absorption. This wavelength is fantastic for treating all kinds of discolorations in the skin including red spots, brown spots, and of course vascular lesions.
VBeam Perfecta provides one of the most comfortable laser treatments, though you might experience mild swelling and redness for 2 – 3 days after your treatment. It can be used virtually anywhere on the face or body, and while some clients enjoy flawless results with just one treatment you may require more than one to fully clear facial veins. You will see full results in one week or less, and the results are typically long-lasting and even permanent. However, do bear in mind that other facial veins may appear in the future—those can also be treated with VBeam Perfecta or BBL.
The BBL Difference
Unlike VBeam Perfecta, broadband light (BBL) therapy isn’t technically a laser even though it’s often categorized as such. As the name suggests, it’s a light therapy. This treatment harnesses the intense pulsed-light power of photorejuvenation for beautiful results. A number of issues can be treated with BBL including facial veins. Most clients opt for BBL if they want skin that is younger and brighter with more elasticity, but those with facial veins have also experienced great results with VBeam Perfecta.
BBL can help with aging skin, sun damage, lines, redness, and sagging skin. This treatment requires a number of passes as the light flashes into the skin, penetrating it to the pigment and blood-vessel level. It forces your body to get to work repairing the damage, which in turn minimizes discoloration. BBL is different than lasers because instead of using a single wavelength (like a laser), BBL has a “broad” spectrum of light that is filtered in a myriad of ways. This allows the device to treat larger areas more quickly than a laser can manage.
VBeam Perfecta and BBL: Which is for You?
It depends! Both VBeam Perfecta and BBL are great options to treat facial veins. If you’re just interested in tackling those veins, VBeam Perfecta might be for you since it’s highly targeted. However, if you’d also like an overall skin rejuvenation, getting rid of facial veins while also tightening and brightening the skin, a BBL treatment might be best. Anyone of any skin tone can use VBeam Perfecta, but those with darker skin tones might not be the best match for BBL since it can cause hyperpigmentation in those with brown skin.
The best way to find out which treatment or treatments are right for you is with a complimentary consultation. This is where you can get all your questions answered, compare treatments, and get a customized plan in place to achieve the skin you deserve. Get in touch with Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today by calling (650) 565-8683 or simply complete the online form and let’s get you scheduled for your complimentary consultation today.