Spider veins—the delicate, web-like clusters that sit just beneath the surface of the skin—affect more than 40 percent of women, according to dermatologic estimates. Whether yours showed up as a result of pregnancy-related changes, developed after long hours of standing or arrived as a natural part of aging, the good news is that there are effective treatment options.
We tapped experts to break down the best spider vein treatments, from at-home remedies to in-office procedures.
Featured Experts
- Marina Peredo, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Dr. Deborah Longwill is a board-certified dermatologist in Miami
- Liz Folce is the founder of Nakery Beauty
- Cheryl Behnam is the VP at Dermelect
What Are Spider Veins?
“Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are small superficial blood vessels that typically appear on the skin’s surface and are red or purple in color, resembling spider webs,” explains New York dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, who adds they’re most commonly found on the legs and face. “They form when vein valves weaken, and blood begins to pool, creating that characteristic web-like pattern,” says Miami dermatologist Deborah Longwill, MD.
The doctors note that genetics, aging, hormones (including pregnancy and menopause-related), sun exposure and prolonged sitting or standing are the most common causes. Dr. Peredo notes that obesity, trauma or injury and chronic pressure on the veins could also contribute. Additionally, while spider veins are primarily cosmetic, Dr. Peredo notes that in some cases, they can indicate underlying venous insufficiency.
Spider Vein Prevention
Compression Socks
“At home, compression stockings and lifestyle changes can slow new spider veins from forming, but they won’t eliminate what’s already there,” says Dr. Longwill. Dr. Peredo adds that this circulation-boosting hack is especially helpful for people with standing occupations, those who travel frequently or those who are pregnant.
Sun Protection
Because some spider veins—especially on the face—are linked to sun exposure, daily sun protection is crucial. Dr. Peredo says sunscreen and hats are “important for preventing facial spider veins from worsening, especially around the nose and cheeks.”
Solutions for Existing Spider Veins
Sclerotherapy
Dr. Peredo and Dr. Longwill both call sclerotherapy the gold standard for treating leg spider veins. “It’s a quick in-office injection with no anesthesia and no downtime,” says Dr. Longwill.
How it works: “A sclerosant, a chemical solution, is injected into the vein,” explains Dr. Peredo. “This irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to collapse and gradually fade.”
Lasers
The experts we spoke with recommend laser treatment for facial spider veins. “My go-to is the BBL laser (BroadBand Light),” says Dr. Longwill. “It delivers precise pulses of light that target the vessel’s pigment, heating and collapsing it without affecting the surrounding skin. It’s fast, virtually painless and requires zero downtime—which my patients love.”
“For facial spider veins, BBL is incredibly effective, and the results speak for themselves,” Dr. Longwill adds, noting that most patients see “significant clearing in just two to three sessions.” For more prominent leg veins, she may combine BBL with sclerotherapy for optimal results, though BBL alone addresses the majority of what she sees in her practice.
Body Makeup and Self Tanner
While purely cosmetic and totally temporary, Dr. Peredo says body makeup and self-tanner are good for camouflaging spider veins before events or vacations when you need immediate results.
Topical Skin-Care Products
While meaningful reduction in spider veins typically requires in-office treatments, some topical products can help soften their appearance. Nakery Beauty founder Liz Folce and Dermelect VP Cheryl Behnam recommend formulas with a high concentration of horse chestnut (around 20 percent), along with arnica and caffeine.
Behnam explains that these ingredients can help temporarily tighten vessels, reduce inflammation and swelling, support circulation, thicken the surrounding skin and improve overall tone. Products to consider include Nakery Beauty SkinRecovery Make It Vanish Power Cream ($45) and Dermelect Vacial Spider Vein Treatment ($40).
