Broken capillaries

Broken capillaries are inefficient, useless vessels. Technically known as “telangiectasia” these broken capillaries are near the skin surfaces and look like little red spiders. These web-like vessels can appear anywhere on the body, but are predominately present on the face and legs, which can make clients extremely self-conscious. Fortunately, the treatment is quick and easy — A quick touch of HF current will vaporize them gone!

What are they

Capillaries connect arteries and veins, and help transport nutrients such as water and oxygen between the blood and tissue. They normally expand and contract in size all the time, similar to a rubber band being stretched. However, at times they can get dilated too much to the point that they are no longer able to return to their original smaller sizes. The capillaries stay over dilated and remain visible permanently as a result. This condition is known as telangiectasia, or broken capillaries. They are commonly found on the face, and also the legs (known as leg veins).

These broken blood vessels are not actually abnormal in the sense that they don’t work. They still perform their normal functions of transporting nutrients with no issues. The blood vessels are simply unable to shrink down to a smaller size due to being overstretched, and do not repair themselves. This condition is not painful and is usually a cosmetic concern only, but it does make the skin look red, aged, and splotchy. A high amount of broken capillaries in the same area are frequently referred to as spider veins.

How you get them 

Because blood vessels expand and contract all the time, there are numerous causes that may lead to the development of broken capillaries. The concept is simple though – something excessive causes the blood vessels to get dilated too much.

Sun

Excessive sun exposure can cause blood vessels to dilate, resulting in more prominent and noticeable capillaries. Protecting your skin from the sun is essential to maintaining healthy circulation and minimizing vascular visibility.

Alcohol consumption

Light to moderate alcohol consumption can lead to skin flushing and enlarged blood vessels, while heavy drinking increases the risk of over dilation and spider veins. Furthermore, beverages such as red wine may trigger inflammation, worsening these vascular conditions and their visible effects on the skin.

Injuries

Bruising can lead to broken capillaries and spider veins in both, the face and legs. A simple action such as popping a pimple has the potential of leaving a sore spot, scarring, or a broken capillary. Certain home treatments such as DIY facial steaming are not skin friendly, and some facial scrubs can cause excessive physical trauma – especially scrubs with large grains. Treatments such as these should always be performed by a professional aesthetician, and are not advised to do on your own.

Dry and dehydrated skin

Dry skin causes the skin to become thinner and contain less tissue. This can cause capillaries and other conditions such as fine lines and wrinkles to become more visible.

Rosacea

Broken capillaries are very common in inflammatory conditions such as rosacea. Often, an underlying inflammatory condition such as rosacea can lead to having many telangiectasia’s on the face as a result of excess flushing. Similarly, autoimmune disease can also cause broken capillaries. 

Environmental/chemical irritants

Broken capillaries are very common during the winter. Because the body needs to use more energy to regulate temperature and preserve heat, the cold weather constricts blood vessels. Going inside someplace warm after being outside causes capillaries to rapidly dilate, and places them under a large change in pressure. Water based moisturizers can also freeze on the face in cold weather.