Facial spider-veins, medically recognized as telangiectasia are small, broken capillaries that can appear on the nose, cheeks, neck and chest. These broken capillaries can still carry blood, but are too large to nourish the skin cells effectively and are cosmetically undesirable.

The method of cauterization blocks the flow of blood in superficial broken capillaries. Blockage of the capillary is achieved by coagulating a small segment of the vessel (the blood is "clotted" at the treatment point). The vessel is then able to rebuild a more functional, smaller, and less visible vein.

Light based treatments (IPL) can also treat finer web-like veins by using short pulses of visible light. These pulses of light target red-pigment (hemoglobin) in the blood which heats and destroys the pigment without affecting the skin or other tissues.

Multiple treatments are necessary in order to achieve desired results. Most patients can immediately return back to work after treatments.