Can Broken Capillaries on the Face Be Treated with Sclerotherapy Instead on Laser? What Are the Pros/cons?

The 1064nm long-pulsed Nd-YAG can be used safely in the darkest skin types, and a vbeam would also be appropriate if the right cooling settings are used.  As long as the appropriate cooling is used, there is no reason why the laser isn't the safest option for this condition.  I perform sclerotherapy of the legs, but do not prefer it for the face as it can cause visual disturbances if there is retrograde flow through a larger vessel, which is hard to visualize.  If it connects to an artery, an ulcer can form, as one cannot control how far the solution travels.

It is easy to treat the larger venules on the face with sclerotherapy at 3-4 sessions a month apart. Light electrocautery also is a safe and effective method. Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

So-called 'broken capillaries" (more correctly known as telangiectasia, since they are actually permanently dilated small vessels rather than broken ones) can be treated by both radiowave therapy and sclerotherapy. Radiowave therapy uses a device that sends radiowaves into the vessel causing heating and destruction of the undesirable vessels. Sclerotherapy accomplishes the same thing but by injecting an irritating solution, such as high concentration salt (and other types of materials) collectively referred to as sclerosants, since they effectively causing scarring, shrinkage and elimination of the unwanted vessels.

In general, sclerotherapy is used for treating the tiny "spider veins" so common on the lower extremities. In fact, despite the plethora of laser hype and marketing, sclerotherapy remains the gold standard from treating this problem in that region. On the other hand, radiowave treatment as described above or electrodessication are considered the treatments of choice for facial telangiectasias. That having been said, I have had good success, especially when treating larger telangiectases on the nose, with the use of sclerosing solution.

Naturally, you would do well to seek the services of a board certified aesthetic physician with experience in treating these kinds of problems with all the current modalities.

There are many options and it depends on the size of the veins (capillaries << 1 mm) and includes Nd YAG laser or IPL (not as successful) and in some cases sclerotherapy. Expect to have repeat treatments until they are gone. 

Facial veins can be treated by several modalities including laser, radio frequency, IPL and sclerotherapy.  Sclerotherapy is possible if the vein is large enough to accommodate the needle.  As with other treatments, sclerotherapy may require several sessions usually 3 to 4 weeks apart.  The pros are that it covers a larger area per injection than laser, is less painful than laser and doesn't cause burning .  The cons are that it can cause brownish discoloration of the skin.  The cost varies with the physician, location of the veins and amount of veins treated.

I would not recommend sclerotherapy in the face. Laser treatment or sometimes electrodessication is best.

I would not use sclerotherapy on the face for fear of developing scarring if the sclerosant  leaks out into the soft tissue.  A needle point electrode can be beneficial.  I would definitely try a test area first. 

Sclerotherapy should not be used for broken capillaries on the face. A very safe and effective way to treat them is with electrosurgery (electrodessication). There is minimal downtime and after anywhere from 1 to 3 treatments, the capillaries are gone.

I actually disagree wholeheartedly with other doctors on here. I have used a specific type of sclerosing for over 20 years to effectively treat facial veins. It can take a single treatment or two, rather than multiples treatment as often are needed with lasers. My office has done over 150,000 laser treatments, but I often find that there are some veins that simply cannot be treated with lasers, and for these I turn to sclerotherapy. Also, like in your case, lasers may not even be an option, depending on a person's color. This type of sclerotherapy is absolutely different than what I do on the legs, but it is tremendously effective.

Sclerotherapy should not be used for face spider veins. Results are poor and risks unacceptable. Laser does improve some veins but with less success than thermavein or veinwave 11.