Will Microneedling make broken capillaries worse?

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.