Spider Naevi
Safe, Professional Spider Naevi Removal Using Advanced Electrolysis
Noticed a small red mark that looks a little like a spider?
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A spider naevus is a small collection of visible blood vessels that usually has a central red spot with tiny vessels spreading out from it, creating a spider-like appearance.
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They are also sometimes called:
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Spider angiomas
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Spider telangiectasia
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Spider veins
Although they can look concerning when you first notice them, spider naevi are commonly benign and often require no medical treatment.
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However, if you’re unsure what a red mark or skin lesion is, we never recommend guessing.
What is Spider Naevus?
Spider Naevus s a type of vascular lesion characterised by a central red spot with radiating blood, resembling a spider.
These skin marks are generally harmless and often appear due to hormonal changes, sun exposure, or liver conditions.
Alternative names include:
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Spider angioma
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Spider naevi
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Telangiectatic nevus
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Vascular malformation
What does a spider naevus look like?
A typical spider naevus has:
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A small red central point
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Fine red blood vessels radiating outwards
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A shape that can resemble the body and legs of a spider
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A flat or very slightly raised appearance
They commonly appear on areas such as the face, neck, upper chest, arms and hands.
One of their characteristic features is that the redness may temporarily disappear or become paler when pressure is applied to the central vessel and then refill when the pressure is released.
What causes spider naevi?
Spider naevi occur when a small blood vessel close to the surface of the skin becomes dilated, with smaller vessels branching away from it. Sometimes there is no obvious reason why one develops.
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They can also be seen more commonly during periods of hormonal change, including pregnancy.
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A single spider naevus is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you suddenly develop multiple spider naevi, particularly alongside other changes in your health, we would recommend speaking to your GP rather than simply having them cosmetically treated.
Multiple spider angiomas can occasionally be associated with underlying medical conditions, including liver disease. At Jems, your health will always come before cosmetic treatment.
Are spider naevi the same as thread veins?
Not quite. Although both involve visible blood vessels, they usually have a different appearance.
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A spider naevus tends to have one central red vessel with smaller vessels radiating away from it.
Thread veins usually appear as individual fine red or sometimes bluish vessels beneath the surface of the skin, without the characteristic central point.
They can sometimes look very similar, which is why professional assessment is important.
Not sure which you have?
Read our guide to Thread Veins or ask us during your consultation.
Can Spider Naevi Be Treated?
Yes, suitable spider naevi can often be treated for cosmetic reasons.
At Jems Health & Beauty, we use Advanced Electrolysis to treat suitable vascular blemishes.
A very fine probe is used to deliver controlled energy to the tiny blood vessel. The aim is to coagulate the vessel so that it gradually becomes less visible as the area heals.
Other medical settings may use vascular laser treatment for spider naevi; NHS specialist laser services also use this approach.
The most appropriate treatment will depend on the size, location and appearance of the lesion.
Will it disappear immediately?
You may notice a change straight away, but we wouldn’t promise that every spider naevus will completely disappear after one treatment.
Some vessels may require more than one session.
There may also be temporary redness or a tiny crust following treatment before the final result becomes apparent.
As always, we’ll give you realistic expectations before we start.
Does treatment hurt?
Most clients describe Advanced Electrolysis as a short hot, prickly or stinging sensation.
Because spider naevi are generally very small, treatment itself is usually quick.
Everyone’s pain threshold is different, and certain areas of the face can naturally feel more sensitive than others.
What will my skin look like afterwards?
Immediately after treatment, the area may look:
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Red
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Slightly swollen
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Darker than before treatment
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A little crusted as it heals
This is a normal part of the healing process. Any small crust should be allowed to come away naturally rather than being picked or removed. We’ll provide you with full aftercare advice following treatment.
Can spider naevi come back?
Yes. A successfully treated vessel may remain reduced, but new spider naevi can develop in the future.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the treatment hasn’t worked, it simply means your skin may be prone to developing visible blood vessels.
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Hormonal changes and other individual factors can also influence their development.
Aftercare Recommendations​​
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Following treatment we recommend:
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Keeping the area clean and dry.
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Avoiding picking the treated area.
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Avoiding excessive heat for the first 24–48 hours.
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Following all aftercare advice provided during your appointment.
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Wearing SPF if the treated area is exposed to sunlight.
Looking after the area properly helps minimise the risk of unwanted pigmentation and promotes the best possible result.
Common Myths about Cherry Angiomas​​​
Myth:
It’s just a broken capillary
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Fact:
Not exactly.A spider naevus has a characteristic central vessel with smaller vessels radiating from it, whereas ordinary thread veins don’t usually have this pattern.
Myth:
If I have one, there must be something wrong with me.
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Fact:
No.A single spider naevus is very common and is usually harmless.
Myth:
If I have lots, I should just have them removed.​
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Fact:
We wouldn’t recommend that without investigating why they have appeared.If you’ve suddenly developed several spider naevi, we’d advise speaking to your GP before cosmetic treatment.
Myth:
Once one has been treated, I’ll never get another.
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Fact:
Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee this.Existing vessels can often be successfully reduced, but new ones may develop elsewhere in the future.
Why Choose Jems Health & Beauty?​​
​​​​Every skin lesion deserves careful assessment before treatment.
When you choose Jems you’ll receive:
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A professional consultation.
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Honest advice.
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Advanced Electrolysis performed with precision.
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Personalised aftercare advice.
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Treatment in an experienced, inclusive clinic established in 2008.
If we’re ever unsure about a lesion, we may recommend our Map My Mole service or advise you to see your GP before any cosmetic treatment is considered.
Questions Clients Ask Every Day​​
Are spider naevi dangerous?
A single spider naevus is generally harmless and often doesn’t require treatment. However, if you’re unsure about a lesion, it has changed, you’re developing several of them, or you have other health concerns, we’d recommend medical assessment before cosmetic treatment.
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Can children get spider naevi?
Yes. Spider angiomas can occur in children and may disappear naturally over time, so treatment isn’t always necessary. We would assess each case individually and would never recommend treatment simply because treatment is available.
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Can spider naevi disappear on their own?
They can. In children and in some adults they may gradually disappear without treatment. Those associated with pregnancy may also resolve after pregnancy.
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Is a spider naevus a mole?
No. Despite the word naevus, a spider naevus is a vascular lesion involving small blood vessels rather than a pigmented mole.
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Can you treat spider naevi on the face?
Suitable facial spider naevi can often be treated, but we will always assess the area first to make sure treatment is appropriate.
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What if you’re not sure it’s a spider naevus?
We don’t guess. If we’re uncertain about what we’re looking at or believe a lesion requires medical assessment, we won’t treat it. Depending on the lesion, we may recommend that you speak to your GP or discuss whether our Map My Mole service is appropriate.
Jodie’s Advice​​
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“Spider naevi are one of those blemishes that people often call a “broken vein” without realising there are different types of vascular lesions.
“For me, the important part isn’t just knowing how to treat a blood vessel — it’s knowing what you’re looking at before you treat it. If it’s a straightforward spider naevus and suitable for treatment, Advanced Electrolysis can be a lovely option cosmetically. But if something doesn’t look typical, you’ve suddenly developed several of them, or there’s any reason for concern, we’ll always recommend medical advice first.
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“We don’t guess when it comes to your skin.”
Still Not Sure?​​
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If you have a small red spider-like vessel that’s bothering you cosmetically, book a consultation with Jems Health & Beauty in Whitefield.
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We’ll assess the area, explain whether Advanced Electrolysis is appropriate and talk you through the expected treatment, healing and results before you decide whether you’d like to proceed.
Ready to Remove Your Spider Naevus?
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If you’d like professional advice about cherry angioma removal, we’d be delighted to help.
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Book a consultation with Jems Health & Beauty in Whitefield, Manchester, where we’ll assess your skin, answer your questions and recommend the safest and most appropriate treatment for you.
