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Those tiny red veins? We can fade them.
Broken capillaries are the fine red or purple vessels that show up on the cheeks, nose, and around the nostrils. They are common, harmless, and, with the right light-based treatment, very treatable.
What are broken capillaries?
Broken capillaries, sometimes called spider veins or telangiectasias, are small blood vessels that have become dilated and visible near the surface of the skin. They most often appear on the nose, cheeks, and chin as fine red, pink, or purple lines or web-like clusters.
They are extremely common and are not a health concern, but many people find them frustrating cosmetically, especially when they cluster around the nose or across the cheeks and become hard to cover. A number of things can cause or worsen them:
- Sun damage, which weakens vessel walls over time and is one of the most common contributors.
- Genetics, since a tendency toward visible vessels and fragile capillaries often runs in families.
- Rosacea and chronic flushing, which are closely linked to visible facial vessels.
- Aging and thinning skin, which make existing vessels more noticeable.
- Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as extreme temperatures, wind, alcohol, and trauma to the skin.
IPL: our go-to for broken capillaries
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is one of the most effective and reliable ways to treat visible facial vessels. It works by delivering broad-spectrum light that is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the blood vessels. That light energy heats and collapses the targeted vessel, which your body then gradually clears, so the vessel fades from view while the surrounding skin is left intact.
Because IPL treats vascular concerns and pigment at the same time, it often improves overall tone and brightness too, not just the individual vessels. Most people need a short series of treatments for the best, longest-lasting result, which we map out for you at your consultation.
Book a Free ConsultationWhat to expect with IPL
The treatment
Pulses of light are applied to the treatment area. Most people describe a quick, warm snapping sensation, like a light rubber-band flick, that is very tolerable and needs no numbing.
Afterward
Skin may look mildly flushed for a few hours. Treated vessels may darken briefly before fading. There is no real downtime, and most people return to their day right away.
Your results
Vessels fade over the days and weeks following treatment. A series of sessions gives the most complete, lasting clearance, with good sun protection to help maintain it.
Is IPL right for your skin?
IPL is most effective and safest on lighter skin tones, Fitzpatrick types 1 to 3. On deeper skin tones, IPL carries a higher risk of pigment changes, so it is not the right tool for everyone, and we will tell you honestly at your consultation whether it suits your skin.
If IPL is not the best fit for you, we will talk through your options rather than treat you with something that is not appropriate. An honest assessment is always the starting point, and the consultation is complimentary.
Related concerns
Broken capillaries often travel with other vascular and redness concerns. If any of these sound more like what you are seeing, we treat those too.
Facial Redness
If your concern is more of a diffuse, all-over flush or persistent redness rather than distinct vessels, our redness page covers how we approach it.
Learn about redness →Rosacea
Visible vessels often go hand in hand with rosacea, a chronic condition involving flushing, redness, and sometimes bumps. See how we help manage it.
Learn about rosacea →Broken capillaries, answered
IPL can clear the vessels it treats, and those specific vessels do not return. However, if the underlying tendency remains (from genetics, sun, or rosacea), new vessels can develop over time. Many people do periodic maintenance treatments and use sun protection to stay ahead of new ones.
It varies with how many vessels you have and how prominent they are. Many people see meaningful improvement over a short series of IPL sessions. We give you an honest estimate at your consultation based on what we see.
Most people find IPL very tolerable. Each pulse feels like a quick, warm snap against the skin. No numbing is usually needed, and there is no real downtime afterward.
IPL works best and most safely on lighter skin tones (Fitzpatrick types 1 to 3). On deeper skin tones it carries a higher risk of pigment changes, so we assess your skin carefully first and will recommend against it if it is not the right fit for you.
Common causes include sun damage, genetics, rosacea and chronic flushing, aging and thinning skin, and factors like extreme temperatures, wind, alcohol, and skin trauma. Sun protection is one of the best ways to reduce new ones from forming.
Ready to clear those tiny veins?
Book a complimentary consultation and we will assess your skin, confirm whether IPL is right for you, and map out a plan to fade those visible vessels for a clearer, more even complexion.
