Do you have broken Capillaries or spider veins?

What are broken capillaries and telangiectasis? Should I be worried if I have them on my face?

Dilated or broken capillaries are tiny blood vessels that have burst or torn due to excess pressure from the walls of the capillary expanding and contracting quickly. A small amount of blood seeps out from the blood vessel and, because the capillaries are so close to the surface of the skin, this causes visible red dots or spider like blemishes. Broken capillaries are most common on the face, specifically the cheeks and nose. While they aren’t harmful, they can be frustrating when they come between you and your clear complexion.

Causes for broken capillaries and telangiectasis.

The rupture or dilation of capillaries on your face can occur due to any number of reasons. They mostly appear on skin that is thin or dehydrated because weaker skin is vulnerable to more damage. However, other causes for broken capillaries on the face include:

• Genes – Skin conditions like broken capillaries can be hereditary because of skin that is more susceptible to damage and complexions that are fair or have a pink undertone.
• Trauma – Trauma to the skin like bruising or popping pimples can cause blood vessels to become enlarged or burst, resulting in the visible red marks on your face associated with broken capillaries.
• Diet – While your diet doesn’t directly cause broken capillaries, some foods and drinks do dilate your blood vessels like alcohol, caffeine, and spicy food. This can cause the capillaries on your face to enlarge and appear more red and more visible.
• Age – As you get older, your cell turnover slows, and your skin becomes more vulnerable to skin issues such as broken capillaries. With weaker and thinner skin, red undertones can become more visible and dilated capillaries appear more clearly.
• Weather and external elements – In a tropical climate like Queensland, the fluctuating weather conditions, and harsh sun can take a toll on your skin and cause broken capillaries to appear on your face. Sudden changes in temperature can also cause your blood vessels to expand and contract, increasing the likelihood of burst capillaries.

Best ways to treat facial broken capillaries/spider vein.

At Laser Skin Centre we treat with Cutera Excel V Laser.

Cutera Excel V Laser

This treatment involves the use of a medical grade laser which targets the blood vessel and destroys it quickly. After only a few quick zaps, the blood vessel or capillary is destroyed, and you only feel quick hot “flick”. The laser has built in cooling and most Excel V Laser treatments take between 10 and 20 minutes, leaving you with only mild redness and swelling and, in some cases, slight bruising. This typically clears up within a few days, providing you with a glowing clear complexion. Depending on size of the area will depend on how treatments you might need.