How to treat broken capillaries? (Photo)

Question

I've got some broken capillaries on my face (mostly my nose, shown in the picture) they are really aggravating! I've had some broken capillaries before but they have faded away on their own in the past,these ones seem more stubborn.ive heard that the only real treatment is lasers, but I have heard that red light therapy, and even "at home" IPLs work (supposedly).Id be open to getting professional lasers, especially if they can just spot laser my nose rather than my whole face, if that's a thing.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello, my name is Ranen and I am an aesthetic nurse at Shah facial plastics.  That’s a really sensible question — and you’re right to want clarity before spending time or money on treatments. Broken capillaries (telangiectasias) on the nose and cheeks are very common, but some become persistent and won’t fade on their own.  Vascular lasers, This is the gold standard. They work by targeting hemoglobin in the vessel and collapsing it without harming surrounding skin. Common devices: Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) — deeper or bluish veins. Pico laser (532)  works well too.

Nick Slenkovich, MD · Answer

Hello! I’m Lauren, the aesthetic provider here at Colorado Plastic Surgery Center.  For stubborn broken capillaries like around the nose, professional laser treatments are usually the most effective. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a popular option and can target specific areas like your nose.  At-home IPL devices and red-light therapy may help with general skin tone and mild redness, but they’re usually not strong enough to treat deeper or more visible capillaries.

Paul Flashner, MD · Answer

Hi, IPL is a great treatment for broken capillaries, rosacea, sunspots, age spots, and other hyperpigmentation issues. Consider going to a med spa with doctors, nurses and medical estheticians. You will probably be recommended to do one to three treatments. There is also the Elite from Cynosure that can also target veins on face and body. Some veins will resolve and disappear immediately, and some will need another session.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

"Broken blood vessels" or more correctly capillaries on the face and nose have been treated successfully for many decades using light electrodessication. None of the expensive, supposedly "next big thing" gizmos and other gizmos being marketed so heavily out there and in social media can match the several decades' long safety and efficacy record of simple electrodessication for this problem. You would be wise to seek treatment by a board certified cosmetic dermatologist. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Kristin J. Tarbet, MD, FACS · Answer

The pooling capillaries on your face look like telangiectasia. It can definitely be spot treated in the affected area with the appropriate IPL device and vascular settings. Sunblock protection from the sun can also help prevent further damage.

Barry Kusman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

IntensePulsed Light (IPL therapy is a popular and effective treatment option for broken capillaries.  Unlike laser, which uses a single wavelength of light, IPL therapy uses a wider range of light wavelengths to target and destroy broken veins, while leaving the surrounded skin unaffected.  Most places will offer spot treatment for a single area.  Please know, that this is not a one and done treatment and may take several sessions to completely get rid of the broken capillaries.

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