They are rarely dangerous. But they do not have to be permanent.
Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels visible through the skin surface. Small varicose veins are slightly larger, often raised or bulging. Both result from weakened vein walls and valve dysfunction that allows blood to pool rather than return efficiently to the heart.
What Causes Them
Genetics are the strongest predictor. Prolonged standing or sitting, aging, hormonal changes, pregnancy, and sun exposure all contribute. Vein walls weaken over time and valves that normally prevent blood from flowing backward begin to fail, allowing blood to pool and vessels to dilate.
Rosacea can also produce visible facial vessels. If facial redness and flushing accompany your visible veins, see our rosacea page for a more detailed assessment.
Fine, web-like clusters of red, blue, or purple vessels visible at the skin surface. Most common on the legs and face. Flat or barely raised.
Slightly larger blue or green veins that feed into spider vein clusters. Visible beneath the skin but not significantly raised.
Larger, raised, or bulging veins caused by valve dysfunction. When small and superficial, they can be treated with laser. Large varicose veins require vascular surgical intervention.
Delivers targeted light energy at wavelengths absorbed by hemoglobin in the vessel wall, generating heat that causes the vessel to collapse and seal shut. The body reabsorbs the collapsed vessel over the following weeks. Primary treatment for fine red spider veins, facial vessels, and diffuse vascular redness. Safe for all skin types.
Learn moreDeeper-penetrating laser energy that targets hemoglobin in thicker or deeper vessels that shorter wavelengths cannot reach. Interacts less with surface melanin, making it the safer option for darker skin tones. Suited to blue or purple veins, veins around the nose, and deeper leg veins.
Learn moreTreated veins do not return. However, new veins may develop over time because the underlying predisposition remains. Most patients see visible improvement after one to three sessions. Some veins darken temporarily before fading as the body reabsorbs the collapsed vessel.
Temporary redness, mild swelling, or warmth at the treatment site are normal. Brief darkening of treated vessels before they fade is expected. Sun exposure should be minimized before and after treatment. Patients on blood-thinning medications should discuss this with their clinician.
The choice between MOTUS VL and MOTUS Nd:YAG depends on the vessel. Fine, red, superficial vessels respond to VL. Thicker, deeper, or blue-toned vessels are better addressed by Nd:YAG. Many patients benefit from both.
ReNueva treats spider veins and small superficial varicose veins. Large varicose veins are referred to a vascular specialist.
Visible veins are a structural vascular issue. Laser treatment does not fade veins. It collapses them. The vessel wall has weakened, the valve has failed, and blood pools rather than returning to circulation. Topical creams and compression alone cannot reverse a vessel that has already dilated.
Not all visible veins are the same. Fine red spider veins on the cheeks sit close to the surface and respond to different wavelengths than thicker blue veins around the nose or on the legs. This is why assessment before treatment matters. Facial vessels tend to be finer and closer to the surface, often clearing in fewer sessions. Leg veins are typically deeper and may require additional treatments or the deeper Nd:YAG wavelength.
New veins may still appear over time. The underlying genetic predisposition does not change with treatment, which is why some patients return periodically to address new vessels as they develop.
Treated veins do not return. New veins may develop over time due to genetics, but these can be treated as they appear.
ReNueva treats spider veins and small superficial varicose veins. Large varicose veins requiring surgical intervention are referred to a vascular specialist.
Most patients tolerate it well. The sensation is typically a brief warmth in the treated area.
Most patients see visible improvement after one to three sessions, depending on the extent of the veins.
Yes. Visible vessels on the face respond well and often clear in fewer sessions than leg veins.
Yes. The 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength penetrates deeper and interacts less with surface melanin, making it the safer option for darker skin tones.
Book a consultation with our aesthetic specialists to discuss your concerns and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
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