Will Microneedling make broken capillaries worse?

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin - Winnetka & Chicago. This is a great question. Microneedling with SkinPen can be an effective treatment for large pores and fine lines, particularly for fair skin, which tends to respond well to collagen-inducing therapies. However, your concern about broken capillaries—especially around sensitive areas like the nose and chin—is valid. While microneedling itself doesn’t directly cause broken capillaries in most people, it can potentially worsen existing ones or make them more visible temporarily, especially if the skin is already fragile or prone to redness (like in rosacea-prone individuals). The tiny needles used in microneedling create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate healing and collagen production, but in areas with fragile capillaries, this process can sometimes irritate the vessels, causing them to dilate further or become more prominent. That said, this risk is generally low when the procedure is done properly—using conservative needle depth, gentle pressure, and by avoiding aggressive treatment around areas with visible capillaries. I hope this helps and best of luck!

I have been performing manual microneedling (no need for the added expense and risks of adverse reactions from RF microneedling) for over a quarter of a century. Microneedling is best reserved for improving very superficial skin tone and texture issues. Although it has been suggested as a treatment for facial telangiectasias ("tiny broken" blood vessels) on the face, I have not found it particularly effective, not to have any deleterious effects when properly performed by an expert.
On the other hand, if you are disturbed by the telangiectasias, the simple use of low intensity electrodessication, which I have been performing for many decades, has a proven track record for both safety and efficacy in the treatment of telangiectasias and you may wish to have these treated in this fashion prior to the microneedling sessions.
You would be wise to make sure to consult an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist.
Hope this helps and best of luck.

Thank you for your question—it's an important one, especially for individuals with fair or sensitive skin and visible capillary fragility.

Can Microneedling Worsen Broken Capillaries?
In most cases, microneedling (including SkinPen) is safe and well-tolerated, even in patients with broken capillaries. However, there are some key points to consider:

Microneedling does not typically worsen broken capillaries when performed correctly.

The tiny, controlled micro-injuries created by the device aim to stimulate collagen without damaging blood vessels.

That said, if needles penetrate too deeply or pressure is uneven—especially on thin skin areas like around the nose—it could theoretically irritate or rupture superficial capillaries, potentially making them more visible.

Areas of Caution
Sides of the nose and chin (where you mentioned capillaries are present) are common sites of telangiectasia and require gentle technique.

Practitioners should adjust needle depth and pressure based on skin thickness and vascular visibility.

Preventive Measures
To minimize risk:

Ensure your provider is experienced with microneedling on fair, vascular-prone skin.

Ask them to avoid aggressive passes over visibly fragile capillaries.

Avoid heat, alcohol, and heavy exercise post-treatment to reduce vascular stress.

Alternative or Complementary Options
If broken capillaries are a primary concern:

Consider vascular laser treatments (like pulsed dye laser or IPL) to target and reduce capillaries before or alongside microneedling.

These modalities are better suited for treating the vascular component directly.

Summary
Microneedling is generally safe and unlikely to worsen broken capillaries if performed gently and appropriately. However, those with fair, reactive, or vascular skin should proceed with caution and ensure technique is customized to avoid triggering or worsening superficial vessels.