*One treatment for broken capillaries on the nose – results are individual.
What Are Facial Capillaries?
Capillaries that become visible at the skin’s surface are called ‘broken capillaries.’ They commonly occur on the face, appearing on the side of the nose, cheek, or chin. However, broken capillaries also appear on the neck and chest, and these areas can also be treated.
Broken capillaries are superficial capillaries that become visible because of collagen and elastin weakness in the dermis and capillary walls. Sun exposure is the primary cause of this damage. So our high UV levels in Brisbane increased our risk of developing facial capillaries and redness. In men, superficial capillaries and redness tend to be restricted to facial areas on the cheeks, chin and around the nose. However, in women, they commonly extend to the neck and chest. Other signs of sun damage, such as surface pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and other changes to skin texture, typically accompany superficial capillaries.
What Predisposes You To Broken Capillaries on Face?
- A light skin complexion that is more susceptible to UV exposure.
- Exposure to the sun without SPF protection.
- Hormonal fluctuations that occur during pregnancy or while on the pill
- Rosacea, as well as causing diffuse redness and flushing, can progress to dilated facial capillaries.
- Skin trauma
Broken Capillaries Treatment Options
The options for facial capillaries treatment include IPL, laser, diathermy and injections. IPL treats capillaries on the neck, decolletage, and facial capillaries. It can be used in other body areas but is not recommended for treating the leg’s spider veins. IPL is an effective treatment for diffuse redness and isolated capillaries up to 2 mm in diameter on the face. However, once the facial capillaries are larger than 2mm in diameter, better treatment options include lasers, diathermy, or injections. So why do we prefer IPL for broken capillaries treatment of the face?
Laser vs IPL for Broken Capillaries on Face
We prefer IPL over laser for capillaries on the face because IPL can treat all signs of sun damage in a single treatment. Lasers use a single wavelength of light that only attracts the red/blue colour in blood vessels. In comparison, IPL uses a broad spectrum of visible light. IPL targets the red/blue blood vessels, brown pigment, and water in the skin to address skin texture change. As a result, IPL is well suited to treating various sun damage issues. Thus IPL will settle diffuse redness, facial capillaries and pigmentation and improve skin quality. We use the Sciton BBL, which has corrective and ‘Forever Young’ treatment programs. It is in a league of its own!
Laser treatments are more precise but less versatile and better for larger isolated capillaries, such as broken capillaries around the nose. IPL and lasers can be used in combination for facial capillaries. Alternatives include diathermy for nose capillaries or injections.
Laser and IPL For Broken Capillaries around the Nose
Capillaries around the nose area (also called spider veins and nose veins) often coincide with chin vessels. As a result, the nose veins appear as faint lines that streak onto the cheek, whereas veins on the nose tend to be more like a web or star, giving the nose a diffuse red appearance. IPL broken capillary treatment can help treat all these unwanted vessels up to 2mm. In contrast, lasers frequently treat vessels over 2mm and spider leg veins.
Diathermy for Broken Capillaries
Once facial capillaries reach a 2 mm diameter, it is best to use something like diathermy. Diathermy can be used for all sizes of vessels; however, there is a risk of pinpoint scar at the site of diathermy—Reserve diathermy for broken capillaries to vessels that cannot be treated with IPL.
For a free consultation with our laser nurse therapists, call us on 07 33505447 or book online.
