How Effective Are Laser Treatments for Broken Capillaries on the Nose and Face?

There are many different ways of treating broken capillaries aka telangiectasias on the face:
Nd:YAG- remains a gold standard for treating abnormal blood vessels
IPL- The better newer IPL machines are quite effective in treating blood vessels
KTP-can be used to treat blood vessels as well
Pulsed-Dye lasers- can create bruising afterwards and has fallen out of favor
With these treatments, patients can respond in 1 to several treatments depending on the type of blood vessel.  

Vbeam laser is an excellent modality for patients who have rosacea, blushing of the skin, facial and body telangiectasia, spider veins, redness, post surgical redness, and skin flushing. It is a safe procedure that can be used at varying depths to help treat micro blood vessels in the skin. We also use it in our office for facial skin inflammation, keloids, and hypertrophic scarring. It is an important part of scar therapy. Vbeam can be combined with chemical peels and other lasers, but experience with the treatment is essential. The Vbeam laser does not affect deeper tissue. Schedule a consultation with an expert in Vbeam and you will find it to be an excellent modality for many skin types.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

The aging process effect on skin results in blotchy pigmentation and visible small blood vessels near the skin surface. Treatment of these blood vessels or spider vessels (telangiectasias) below the level of the collar bone is diffult. However in the head and neck region these blood vessels are sensitive to and can be removed by laser treatments with lasting results. One of the least invasive means of treating these is the flashlamp pumped pulsed dye laser. The beam is absorbed by the red blood contained in small arteries close to the skin surface. These small blood vessels instantly clot off & then resorb. Due to the nature of blood flow seeking the path of least resistance more than 1 laser treatment or future maintenance treatments may be required. This laser causes little or no skin surface damage & has a very rapid recovery time.

My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship.

The treatment of these small vessels, called telangiectasias, are a very common request in my office.  They may be found anywhere on the facial skin but are very common on the sides of the nose and medial cheek.  They respond very well to treatment with BBL/IPL.  There is no significant discomfort or down time associated with this procedure.  These small vessels may try to recannulate following initial treatment and may require subsequent treatments for complete resolution of the condition.  

The facial vessels usually appear in the nasal ala and malar regions, but can appear any place on the face or body. With the proper laser or IPL equipment and an experience doctor they can be treated successfully most 99% of the times. It may take usually up to 3 treatments for the difficult ones.

Good luck!!!