How To Remove Veins Under The Eyes
Have you noticed visible veins below the surface of the skin on your face? While this might not be the first place on the body you would think you can see your veins, this can be a common occurrence, especially as you get older.
Periorbital Veins
The veins in this area are responsible for bringing blood to the vessels in the eyes, and are known as periorbital veins. Typically, these veins are not visible to the naked eye, however there are certain risk factors that may cause your periorbital veins to appear more prominent, such as family history, the natural aging process, skin tone, sun damage, smoking, or using tanning beds. Aging is the most common cause of under eye veins due to the fact that the skin in this area is already very thin and sensitive, and only gets thinner and more sensitive as you age. When the skin becomes so thin that it is almost translucent, it is inevitable that veins will start to become visible. The veins can appear blue, purple or yellow, and can sometimes cause puffiness or bags under the eyes and make you look tired or fatigued. These veins under the eyes are usually not harmful and do not cause pain, discomfort or damage, but they can cause cosmetic concern and result in feelings of self consciousness.
So even at a young age, these visible periorbital veins may just be inevitable. Another reason could be sun damage. If you constantly expose your face to the harsh sun and UV rays without wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat to protect your skin, periorbital veins will rear their ugly head much earlier in life than expected. Your skin tone may have something to do with it as well. If your skin is already very light or pale, visible veins are more likely. Additionally, engaging in harmful activities like smoking and going to a tanning salon are lifestyle factors that can play a part in the surfacing of visible veins.
The periorbital veins’ primary function is to bring blood to the vessels in the eyes. These veins have an important job, and they typically are not visible under the skin — however, in some cases, because of the above-mentioned reasons, they do appear as blue, purple, and/or yellow veins under the eye. While these periorbital veins are completely harmless and don’t really cause any pain or discomfort, they can result in cosmetic concerns. You may appear very tired, with puffy and saggy under-eye areas that not even the best makeup in the world can cover-up.
Ways to Remove Veins under the Eyes
Thankfully, there are ways to remove these veins under the eyes. The team at Fox Vein & Laser Experts treats under eye veins with one of the most widely used procedures for vein removal, Sclerotherapy. This very minimally invasive procedure is reserved for treating small varicose veins and spider veins. While it is most commonly used for veins in the lower extremities, it also works just as safely and effectively for small veins in the face, with no downtime following the treatment. Laser therapy is another option, but keep in mind that this often requires a series of treatments. Dermal fillers can also help to add more volume and thickness to the area under the eyes and hide the veins, however this is not a permanent treatment option. You will need to keep up with appointments every 6 months or so.
Home Remedies for Eye Vein Removal
There are also at-home remedies, such as placing something cold under the eyes, like a cold compress or chilled spoon. These can lessen any puffiness and bags under the eyes and constrict the veins, which will make them smaller and less noticeable. While these can help decrease the appearance of veins under the eyes, they may not treat them for good.
When you think of veins on the body, it’s likely that the first places that come to your mind are the legs, arms, hands, feet, and neck — right? We don’t usually think about visible veins popping up on the face, but this is something that can happen for a variety of natural reasons.
The skin below the eyes is already extremely thin and sensitive, so as people age, it will become even thinner, eventually becoming translucent, or see-through, which is why veins below the surface of the skin suddenly become visible. While natural aging is one of the most prominent reasons for this happening, there are other factors at play.
Sclerotherapy Treatment to Remove Veins under the Eyes
One of our most popular vein removal procedures, Sclerotherapy, can be used to remove veins under the eyes. Typically, Sclerotherapy is used to treat and remove small varicose veins and spider veins, often on the legs, thighs, and feet. Because it’s mainly used for small veins, it is the perfect procedure for under-eye veins. It’s also the least invasive, most comfortable, and most safe procedure for vein removal, and Dr. Susan B Fox and her team have decades of experience and success.
Here’s how it works:
Our vein doctor in Pembroke Pines will inject a medicated solution into the visible, affected vein. This medication makes the walls of the vein stick together and seals shut. Blood is then rerouted to healthier veins, and the treated veins eventually turn to scar tissue which is then naturally removed by the body. Healthy tissue then grows in its place. There is very little pain during the procedure, and no downtime is needed after it has been finished.
Laser Therapy for Under Eye Vein Removal
Laser therapy may also be used for under-eye vein removal, but there may be a need for several treatments. Laser treatments work similarly to Sclerotherapy in that the laser seals off the blood vessels from the periorbital veins and blood is rerouted to healthier veins.
Another option, which is much more cost-effective, is dermal fillers in Miami, which can add volume to the under-eye area and lessen that appearance of always looking tired. While dermal fillers are not permanent, they are effective and show immediate results, while also increasing the body’s own natural production of collagen and elastin in the skin. This is the way to go if you are looking for a more economical treatment.
Fillers are temporary, but usually can last up to six months, and then you can just come back to our office for another injection. Fillers have a very low risk for any complications, are much less painful and less costly today than they used to be. Don’t worry about looking stiff — our injection experts will customize a plan for you to ensure that your results look as natural as possible.
Contact us at Fox Vein & Laser Experts
For the most effective under eye vein treatment options, our Miami vein experts Fox Vein & Laser Experts recommends sclerotherapy, laser treatment or fillers. Contact our office today at 954-627-1045 to schedule a consultation so we can determine your preferences and goals, and see which option will get you the best possible results.
FAQs
Why do I have veins under my eyes?
The number one reason for veins under the eyes is aging. The skin under the eyes is already very thin, and as you age, it gets thinner and thinner, almost becoming translucent at a certain point, and veins will show through the surface of the skin. On that same note, if your skin tone is very light or even somewhat translucent, your veins will be a lot more noticeable. You may also be predisposed to developing veins under the eyes because of genetics. If under eye veins run in your family, you will most likely end up with them too. Another cause of veins under the eyes is overexposure to the sun. Harsh UV rays and sun damage to the face can cause under eye veins to become much more prominent, even at a young age. Damaging lifestyle choices, such as smoking or using a tanning bed, can also increase the appearance of under eye veins.
Can veins under the eyes be removed?
The most effective way to remove veins under the eyes is with sclerotherapy or laser therapy. Both of these options involve sealing off the blood vessels from the eye veins so the blood reroutes to healthier veins. Sclerotherapy uses a medicated solution that is injected directly into the affected vein. There is no downtime following the procedure and patients experience very little pain or discomfort during the treatments. Laser therapy is similar, but uses laser energy, and may require multiple sessions in order to fully remove the under eye veins.
Why are the veins under my eyes visible?
The veins under your eyes are most likely visible due to thinning skin that comes as part of the natural aging process, if you have a very light or translucent skin tone, or if it’s part of your family’s health history. There are other factors that can cause the skin around the eyes, especially underneath, to become thin earlier in life, however, such as engaging in activities that can be harmful to the body like smoking, using artificial tanning beds, and not wearing SPF while in direct sunlight.
How long does it take to recover from laser vein therapy?
There is very little downtime or recovery time after laser vein therapy for under the eyes. However, you should avoid strenuous activity for a few days following the treatment, and make sure to monitor whether or not you feel any pain or discomfort in your face, especially around the eyes. If you do, notify your vein doctor right away. Take note that with laser therapy, multiple sessions are typically needed in order to completely remove the veins.
Do under eye veins grow back after removal?
Once the eye veins have been treated with laser therapy or sclerotherapy, they turn into scar tissue that is eventually naturally removed by the body. Treated eye veins will not grow back, however over time, you may see new visible veins start to appear in their place.