Published 29 September 2026
Spider veins, broken capillaries and small vascular marks: laser and light treatment in Dubai
Small red, blue or purple vessels on the face or legs are common and usually harmless, but many people want them treated. Our doctors use the Fotona Nd:YAG laser and BBL broadband light for small vascular concerns. Larger veins and varicose veins go to a vascular surgeon. The doctor assesses which group you are likely in at the first visit and refers you on when needed.
DHA-licensed doctors · Bluewaters Island 6, Dubai · daily 10:00–22:00
- Methods
- Fotona Nd:YAG laser or BBL broadband light
- Assessment
- Doctor examines the skin before any pulse
- Course
- Usually several sessions, set by the doctor
- Fotona
- Veins or vascular lesions: 2 000 AED per session
- BBL
- From 800 AED per zone (redness and vessels)
What spider veins and vascular lesions are
Spider veins, also called thread veins or telangiectasias, are tiny red, blue or purple vessels that show through the skin. On the face they appear as fine red lines on the cheeks, around the nose wings and on the chin; patients often call them broken capillaries. On the legs they form small webs or branches. NHS guidance describes spider veins and thread veins as small red, blue or purple veins that are usually harmless. They are different from varicose veins, which are swollen, lumpy veins that can cause pain, heaviness and skin changes.
A small vascular lesion is a visible mark made of tiny blood vessels. Our Fotona page lists vascular lesions and veins as separate protocols, and our BBL page lists broken capillaries and small vascular marks among its indications.
How laser and light treat small vessels
We use two systems for small vascular concerns. They work in different ways, and the doctor chooses between them or combines them.
Fotona SP Dynamis (Nd:YAG laser). The platform pairs a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with a 2940 nm Er:YAG laser. The Nd:YAG wavelength travels deep into the skin, which is why it is the source for vascular lesions on this device. The doctor delivers the energy in short pulses with cooling. The price list has a separate line for single vein pulses.
BBL (BroadBand Light) on the Sciton MJoule platform. BBL is a medical intense pulsed light treatment, not a laser. It releases a broad band of light and uses filters to pick the range that suits the target. For visible vessels the doctor uses the 590 to 695 nm range, which the haemoglobin in tiny vessels absorbs. The vessel absorbs the light as heat, and the surrounding skin largely does not.
Where the line runs. We treat small superficial vessels of the skin. We do not diagnose or treat varicose veins, large or bulging veins, leg ulcers or venous disease. If you have any of those, or a leg that aches, swells or feels heavy, see a vascular surgeon or your family doctor first.
Spider veins treatment in Dubai: who it suits
Laser or light treatment may suit you if small visible vessels bother you and a doctor has confirmed that they are small superficial vessels of the skin.
A few points shape the plan:
- Skin tone. Broadband light targets melanin, so on Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI it carries a higher risk of burns and pigment change, and the doctor may suggest another method.
- Recent sun. A fresh tan absorbs more energy in the wrong place. The doctor may delay treatment until the tan fades.
Persistent redness with flushing across the cheeks and nose may be rosacea. Our rosacea treatment page covers it.
Broken capillaries on the face
Facial vessels sit close to the surface and the skin is thin, so the doctor works in small areas with careful settings. Our BBL price list prices the zones where facial vessels usually appear: cheeks, nose wings, chin, forehead and the full face. Fotona treats the same problem with pulses of Nd:YAG energy, and our Fotona page shows before and after photos of spider veins on the cheek and temple.
Veins on the legs
Our Fotona price list has a VEINS protocol and single-pulse pricing for veins, and the BBL list includes body zones such as the lower legs. Which method, if either, suits the small vessels on your legs is an in-person decision. The doctor first checks whether the vessels are small superficial ones or a sign of underlying venous disease. If the picture points to varicose veins, the plan starts with a vascular surgeon, who usually confirms the diagnosis with an ultrasound scan.
What we do not treat
MED YU MED is an aesthetic medicine clinic. We do not perform surgery, and these problems belong with a vascular surgeon or your doctor, not with us:
- Varicose veins and large, bulging or twisted veins
- Painful, swollen or heavy legs, and skin changes on them
- Leg ulcers or sores that do not heal
- A suspected blood clot
- Any pigmented or vascular mark that is changing, bleeding or looks unusual: it needs a doctor’s diagnosis first, because a laser must never be aimed at an undiagnosed lesion
Get urgent help, do not wait for an appointment. If one leg becomes swollen, red, hot or painful, or you have chest pain or sudden shortness of breath, call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department. NHS guidance lists these as possible signs of a blood clot. A varicose vein that bleeds also needs urgent medical help.
How a session goes
- Consultation. The doctor examines the vessels, checks your skin type, sun exposure, medicines and history, and picks the method and settings.
- Preparation. The area is cleansed and protective eyewear is fitted. For BBL a thin gel is applied.
- Treatment. The doctor passes pulses over the vessels with cooling. Most people describe BBL as a quick warm snap, like a light elastic flick. A full face with BBL takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Aftercare. Avoid sun, hot baths, saunas and strong skincare actives for a day or two, and use daily SPF. The clinic gives written aftercare.
Skin often looks flushed and warm for a few hours afterwards.
What results to expect
Most plans run as a course, and the number of sessions depends on your vessels and how they respond. Our BBL page states that redness and vessels generally take more sessions than pigment, and that the doctor confirms the number after the first response is visible.
New vessels can appear later, and sun, heat and other triggers keep influencing them. We cannot promise that a treated vessel will not come back, or that every vessel will clear. Results vary between individuals, and the doctor gives a realistic range at the assessment.
Prices for spider veins and vascular lesions in Dubai
Fotona prices come from our Fotona page and the main price list. BBL prices come from the BBL page (group BBL Pigmentation / Rosacea / Vessels).
| Protocol | 1 session | Course of 3 | Course 5+1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fotona: Veins | 2 000 AED | 5 400 AED | 10 000 AED |
| Fotona: Vascular lesions | 2 000 AED | 5 400 AED | 10 000 AED |
| Fotona: single pulse for veins or vascular lesions | 100 AED per pulse | – | – |
| BBL: Forehead or nose wings | 800 AED | 2 160 AED | 4 000 AED |
| BBL: Chin | 900 AED | 2 430 AED | 4 500 AED |
| BBL: Cheeks | 1 100 AED | 2 970 AED | 5 500 AED |
| BBL: Full face | 1 400 AED | 3 780 AED | 7 000 AED |
| BBL: One flash | 150 AED per flash | – | – |
Prices from the MED YU MED Fotona price list, the BBL price list and the main price list, checked 29 September 2026. The final protocol and cost are confirmed at the consultation.
Who should wait, and who needs another method first
Treatment may suit you if
- The vessels are small, superficial and visible on the skin
- The doctor has found no signs that point to underlying vein disease; for leg vessels a vascular surgeon may need to check first
- You accept a course of sessions and daily sun protection
Treatment is not suitable, or needs a doctor’s decision first, if
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have melasma
- You have a history of keloid scarring
- You have a recent tan or recent sun exposure on the area
- You take photosensitising medicines such as isotretinoin or some antibiotics
- You have an active infection, herpes or an open wound in the area
- Your skin is Fitzpatrick type V or VI and the doctor advises another method than BBL
This list is not exhaustive. A licensed doctor decides at an in-person assessment.
Not sure if your veins are small enough for laser?
Book an examination. The doctor looks at the vessels, tells you whether they suit Fotona or BBL, and refers you to a vascular surgeon when they do not.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?
Spider veins are tiny red, blue or purple vessels close to the skin surface, and NHS guidance describes them as usually harmless. Varicose veins are swollen, lumpy veins that can cause pain, heaviness and skin changes. We treat small superficial vessels; varicose veins go to a vascular surgeon.
Which is better for broken capillaries on the face, laser or BBL?
Neither is better in general. BBL is a broadband light treatment for pigment, redness and vessels, and it is priced by facial zone. Fotona uses the 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength for vascular lesions and veins. The doctor chooses after examining your skin and may combine them.
Does treatment hurt?
Most people feel a quick warm snap, similar to a light elastic flick, and the handpiece is cooled. Comfort differs from person to person. Tell the doctor if a spot feels too hot so the settings can change.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the vessels and how they respond. Our BBL page says redness and vessels generally take more sessions than pigment, and the doctor confirms the number after the first response is visible. The clinic prices single sessions, courses of three and courses of 5+1.
Is there downtime?
Downtime is usually short. Skin often looks flushed and warm for a few hours after gentle Nd:YAG or BBL passes. Avoid sun, hot baths, saunas and strong skincare actives for a day or two, and use daily SPF. The doctor explains what to expect for your plan.
Can you treat spider veins on the legs?
Our price list includes a VEINS protocol for Fotona, and BBL zones include the lower legs. Whether either suits your legs is decided at the examination. If the doctor suspects varicose veins or larger feeder veins, you start with a vascular surgeon.
How much does spider vein laser treatment cost in Dubai?
Fotona Veins and Vascular lesions cost 2 000 AED per session, and single vein pulses cost 100 AED each. BBL for redness and vessels starts from 800 AED per zone: 1 100 AED for the cheeks and 1 400 AED for the full face. The doctor confirms the plan and cost at the consultation.
What are the risks?
Flushing and warmth are expected. Less common risks are burns, blistering and pigment change in either direction; the risk is higher on darker and recently tanned skin, and pigment change can take months to fade. Treatment near the eyes carries a risk of eye injury, so eye protection is worn throughout. Call the clinic if you get a blister, a burn, pain that grows after the first day or a new dark or white patch.
Could my redness be rosacea instead?
Possibly. Persistent redness with flushing across the cheeks and nose is often rosacea, which is managed rather than cured and may need medication. See our rosacea treatment page; the doctor assesses at the first visit whether it looks like rosacea or vessels.
Related reading
Medical disclaimer: this page is for information and does not replace a consultation with our doctors or with a vascular surgeon. Whether a vessel is small enough for laser or light treatment is decided by a licensed doctor at an in-person assessment.
License statement: MEDYUMED MEDICAL CLINIC LLC operates under DHA License 6589480, Bluewaters Island 6, Dubai. The clinic does not perform surgery and does not treat varicose veins.
Individual results caveat: how vessels respond, how many sessions are needed and whether new vessels appear varies from person to person. We cannot promise any result.
Sources
- Methods, contraindications and prices: MED YU MED Fotona and BBL phototherapy service pages, checked 29 September 2026.
- Spider veins versus varicose veins, when to see a doctor: NHS, Varicose veins.
- Signs of a blood clot: NHS, DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
Small vessels, a clear plan
An examination first, then Fotona, BBL or a referral to a vascular surgeon, whichever fits your vessels. If treatment is not suitable, we tell you straight away.
MEDYUMED MEDICAL CLINIC LLC · DHA License 6589480 · open daily 10:00–22:00. Outside our hours, urgent problems go to the nearest emergency department or 998.
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