After facial vein removal, you will finally have the smooth, even complexion you want. How can you maintain those results and enjoy your appearance for the long term? Knowing how to care for your new look can keep spider veins from resurfacing and adversely affecting your self-esteem. Here are Dr. Matarasso’s top tips for pampering your skin after facial vein removal.

1. Avoid Sun Exposure

The No. 1 tip for anyone who has spider veins and broken capillaries removed from their face is to protect your skin from the sun. UV rays can cause tremendous damage to unprotected skin, including hyperpigmentation and discoloration. Both intense pulsed light and laser treatments will make your skin more sensitive to sunlight as well. You’ll need to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF before going outdoors, and reapply to your face every two hours if you’re spending long periods outside. For additional protection, wear a wide-brimmed hat that keeps your face in the shade.

2. Simplify Your Skin Care Regimen

Contrary to what you may believe, you don’t need a complicated, multi-stage skin care routine that involves a variety of products. After facial vein removal, commit to a simple skin care regimen. Twice per day, wash your face with a gentle cleanser, followed by a lightweight moisturizer for daytime and a thicker one for overnight. Avoid toners that contain alcohol, which can strip the natural moisture barrier away from your skin.

3. Stay Hydrated

Speaking of alcohol, you’ll want to steer clear of adult beverages after facial vein removal. Alcohol can cause new spider veins to form, undoing the work you have had done to achieve clearer skin. Instead, drink plenty of water, which will minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles and help keep your skin looking smooth, plump, and youthful.

4. Heal Your Skin

Lasers and IPL treatments are both minimally invasive ways to diminish facial spider veins, and there is only a short recovery time. If you do experience any redness or swelling, you can apply a cold pack wrapped in a dish towel to help manage them. Any discomfort you feel will likely be minor, and something you can control with over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen. Don’t do strenuous exercise for the first few days after facial vein removal, and don’t wash your face in hot water.

Excellent Facial Vein Removal in San Francisco

As a highly trained, well-recognized expert in the field of cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Seth L. Matarasso has provided patients in the greater San Francisco Bay area with reliable, safe, non-surgical options for reducing unsightly facial spider veins and broken capillaries. Though these issues are not a cause for medical concern, they can put a dent in your self-esteem and make you feel self-conscious when you meet new people. Following a series of facial vein treatments such as IPL and laser therapy, your appearance will be clearer, and you will be able to put your best face forward with confidence. Contact our office today to set up your consultation appointment with Dr. Matarasso.

Facial veins, or spider veins, are a relatively common occurrence for people over 50. These broken blood vessels can cause an unattractive reddening of the face. They usually appear on the nose and cheeks, but can also appear under the eyes or on the lower cheeks and jaw.

Facial spider veins don’t cause any other symptoms, other than their unsightly appearance, but they can detract from your facial beauty and leave you feeling not so confident about your appearance. Fortunately, there are non-surgical, non-invasive procedures to get rid of them, and even some steps you can take at home.

For information on facial vein removal and to schedule a consultation, contact  Dr. Seth Matarasso in San Francisco at (415) 362-2238.

Causes of Spider Veins

Spider veins tend to appear with age, but not everyone is prone to getting them. Some of the factors that may contribute to their formation are genes, sun exposure, alcohol consumption, head injuries, pregnancy, exposure to certain irritants or pollutants or having a condition like Rosacea, a common condition that causes the skin to become flushed and red due to enlarged veins. Some people also develop spider veins in response to changes in weather conditions (pressure and temperature).

Removal Techniques

We offer two minimally-invasive, highly effective procedures that will rid you of your spider veins: IPL and the Candela V-beam laser.

While not technically a laser, IPL (intense pulsed light) uses an applicator to treat the skin with an intense light that targets the superficial blood vessels. The energy from the light penetrates into the deeper layers of skin and is absorbed by the blood vessels, without damaging the top layer. The light’s intensity can be adjusted for the patient’s comfort and the required level of treatment. To prepare for this procedure, a local anesthetic cream is applied to your skin, followed by a cooling gel.

The other procedure involves the Candela V-beam laser, which, like the IPL, uses highly concentrated, gentle pulsed light energy to destroy the broken blood vessels. The surrounding skin remains intact because the laser is targeted to the damaged vessels.

In both procedures, the light seals the veins and cuts off the blood flow. The veins are then reabsorbed by the body and blood flow is redirected to healthier veins that cannot be seen through the skin. 

Everyone’s skin is different; some of our patients are effectively treated in a single session, while others might need multiple sessions to gain the desired results.

Home Remedies

There are a number of things you can do at home to prevent or reduce the appearance of broken blood vessels on the face. They include a cold compress such as an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables, or applying substances such as Arnica oil, apple cider vinegar or aloe vera to the affected area. It’s a good idea to test new products on a small patch of skin 24 hours before doing a full facial treatment to rule out any adverse reactions. 

When cleaning your skin, you should always use cool or warm water (not cold and not hot) in order to avoid damaging the blood vessels.

Taking Vitamin C supplements can help reduce the appearance of broken blood vessels on the face as well. Also, many herbs may have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. They include sage, calendula, oat, yarrow, marshmallow root, and chamomile.

You can discuss which home remedies you should try and what procedures are available to you with your doctor. 

For more information on what procedure would work best for you for removing facial veins, please contact us today.

Facial Vein Removal

There are two types of treatments you can use to help remove spider veins and broken capillaries on your face: IPL and the Candela V-Beam Laser. Both methods destroy broken and enlarged blood vessels by sealing off their blood supply. IPL reduces redness, while the laser destroys larger blood vessels. After your procedure, your skin will be very sensitive so it’s essential that you stay out of the sun for a few weeks.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is another spider vein treatment, only this time it’s for your legs. Sclerotherapy is done by injecting a solution into your spider veins that will cause them to collapse and be reabsorbed into the body. It’s not recommended to be out in the sun after sclerotherapy because you’ll be recovering in compression stockings after your procedure—and it’s not exactly beach friendly. There’s also a risk of your veins darkening from hyperpigmentation because of contact with direct sunlight.

Fraxel Laser

The Fraxel Laser treatment is a popular new skin rejuvenation treatment that reduces signs of aging, heals scarring, shrinks enlarged pores, evens out skin tone, reduces sun damage, and stimulates collagen production. After your laser treatment, the treated areas might feel like a sun burn, so it’s a good idea to stay away from the sun immediately after treatment.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion uses one tool to exfoliate dead skin cells and other debris, and then another tool to suction off more dirt and oils to leave a new layer of fresh skin. Your skin may become red and flaky after the procedure, but that’s all part of the recovery process. To avoid discomfort, try staying away from direct sunlight.

Logistically, it just makes sense to schedule these cosmetic surgery treatments for the fall season. After all, it’s much easier to schedule your procedure and recovery during a holiday break. If you want to treat yourself during the holidays to a cosmetic procedure, then pick one of the best plastic surgeons In the Bay Area and contact Dr. Seth L. Matarasso for a consultation.

When women get pregnant, they expect a few stretch marks or weight gain, but many are surprised when they develop visible facial veins that remain long after baby has been delivered. If you have post-baby facial veins, come see Dr. Matarasso. Get rid of the redness and reclaim beautiful, clear skin again.

Facial Veins and Pregnancy – What’s the Link?

Women have an increased blood volume during pregnancy. This can place more pressure on your blood vessels, leading to broken capillaries and spider veins. These often occur on the legs, but can also occur on the face. The problem may clear up on its own shortly after delivery but, if it doesn’t, come see Dr. Matarasso. Treatment options are available.

What Are My Treatment Options for Unsightly Facial Veins?

Dr. Matarasso uses a few different techniques for treating facial veins. Let’s explore each option below.

• IPL- Short for intense pulsed light, IPL is a powerful light treatment that can clear up spider veins and broken capillaries. It works similarly to a laser treatment but, unlike a laser, IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light.
• Laser Treatments- We use the Candela V-beam laser, which targets damaged blood vessels without harming the surrounding, healthy skin.

Both of these treatments work by sealing off the veins and cutting off blood flow. This allows the veins to be reabsorbed by the body and the blood to redirect through healthier pathways. If you have spider veins elsewhere (such as on the legs), Dr. Matarasso may recommend sclerotherapy.

Is Facial Vein Treatment Painful?

Most patients describe the sensation experienced during facial vein treatment as a gentle snapping, similar to a rubber band being snapped across the skin. You can immediately resume your daily activities after treatment, with no downtime or recovery period. Any redness can be covered with makeup. You may feel like you have a slight sunburn for a few days after treatment.

Get rid of embarrassing facial veins. Come see Dr. Matarasso today!

Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must year round and that includes summer. Wear a high quality sunscreen every day. Dr. Matarasso recommends a minimum of SPF 15 for daily use (higher if you’ll be in the sun or if you burn easily). Don’t forget the ears! Sunscreen is one of the best ways to avoid premature skin aging and to reduce your skin cancer risk.

Improve the Appearance of Wrinkles in Minutes

Have you tried injectables? If you want to improve the appearance of your skin without surgery, try a dermal filler like Juvederm or a botulinum toxin treatment like Botox. Dermal fillers restore lost facial volume (a common sign of aging) and fill in wrinkles. Botox helps relax the muscles that cause some types of wrinkles (like crow’s feet or forehead lines) allowing them to fade away. Treatment takes just a few minutes with results that last for months. Come in for treatment today and look great all summer long.

Target Problem Skin

Do you struggle with acne or eczema? Do you have visible facial veins? Treating skin problems is a great way to improve the overall appearance of your skin. Dr. Matarasso is a highly skilled dermatologist with extensive experience treating problem skin. If you have skin problems, get help and find a solution. Call us today and schedule your appointment with Dr. Matarasso.

Stick to a Routine

The hectic days of the summer make it easy to slip out of your skin care routine. Take time each day to cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin. It just takes a few minutes a day and makes a big difference in your overall appearance. What’s your skin care routine? How can you improve it this summer?

Give Your Face a Little TLC

This summer do something extra for your face; give it a little TLC. A facial, an exfoliating treatment, or laser skin resurfacing can make a big difference in your skin. We all need a little extra help now and then and it is prime time you gave your skin a little something extra.

Let’s make this summer the summer of beautiful skin. Call us today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Matarasso.