#Vein of stars band full

The fact that they appear to have a green colour is very important when it comes to possible treatments. This is the same name as given to reticular veins in the legs or elsewhere in the body. Reticular veins are veins that are seen as a green line through the skin, but without any bulging (Figure 3). Green in colour and not raised, so suitable for treatment with transdermal laser – usually ND:YAG (1064nm) for this sort of vein. The thicker the vein wall and the deeper the vein, the more the colour changes from blue through to green until eventually, when the vein is deep enough, there is no colour seen in the veins which are sub-dermal.įigure 3: Periorbital reticular vein. The colour of veins only comes from the blood within the vein. The veins themselves are colourless, appearing white when empty. If bright red, the blood is usually in small arteries that lie before the capillaries, whereas if the blood is blue or purple, it usually lies in veins after the capillary network. Telangiectasia are classically very fine veins that are very superficial (Figures 1 and 2). Telangiectasia (‘spider’ or ‘thread’ veins) Suitable for treatment with advanced electrolysis/radiofrequency (electrocautery) or transdermal laser.įigure 2: Diffuse redness of cheek suitable for treatment with IPL. Problem veins that need treatment might cross between two or more types of facial veins.įigure 1: Telangiectasia (thread veins) on the chin as distinct veins in a group. Hence no classification of problem vein to be treated can be rigidly defined. Therefore, when assessing a vein that looks like a branching tree, remember that the blood flow is from peripheral to central and it is actually a collection of tributaries draining to a central vein.Īs the most superficial veins will join together and drain into slightly deeper veins, and these deeper veins might do the same again, one sort of problem vein might be associated with another sort of problem vein of different size and depth. From these, the venous blood drains into the larger named veins such as the temporal or facial vein, and from there to the jugular vein, superior vena cava and right heart.

Thousands of little veins (called venules) drain venous blood from capillaries, and these veins drain into larger veins that are varied and un-named. It is often called ‘branching’ although in reality, it is the reverse of branching. Basic classifications of facial veins – size and depth of veinīefore going into the different classification of each sort of vein, it is important to remember that the venous system is a network of little veins, draining into larger veins. Therefore, when we describe veins by the anatomical area on the face, it usually indicates what sort of vein is likely to be found. Fortunately, there is a good correlation between the anatomical location and what sort of vein is found in each location. the size of the vein, the depth of vein – either within or under the dermis, and the anatomical area of the face affected. We classify facial veins in terms of how big and how deep they are, and where they are found – i.e. However, we have found that a few simple screening questions asked at the time of first enquiry, often backed up with a picture sent by the potential patient by email, can usually determine which one might be optimal to give the first opinion. In addition, it is also important to be able to recognise facial veins that might be a sign of a more complex problem that should be referred away from an aesthetic practice.īecause of the combination of aesthetic or surgical treatments that might be needed, some patients are offered a joint consultation between aesthetic practitioner and venous surgeon.

#Vein of stars band full

In our practice we have found that, to provide a full service to these patients, we need a combination of traditional aesthetic approaches with a more invasive surgical approach. Problem veins on the face range from very superficial ‘capillaries’ to large bulging subdermal veins.

Patients with unwanted facial veins commonly present to aesthetic medicine practitioners. Victoria Smith and Professor Mark Whiteley, both experts in the area, provide a comprehensive overview of diagnosis and the different treatment options available. Facial veins can be treated with a wide range of aesthetic and surgical procedures.