Broken Blood Vessels on Face - A Dermatologist's Guide to Causes and Treatments

Those fine, red, web-like lines that appear on your nose, cheeks, or chin can be a frustrating cosmetic concern. Commonly known as broken blood vessels, spider veins, or medically as telangiectasias, they are a frequent reason for visits to the dermatologist. While typically harmless, understanding their causes is the first step toward effective treatment and prevention.

This comprehensive guide synthesizes information from leading dermatological sources and clinical studies to provide a clear picture of what causes broken blood vessels on the face and the most effective ways to manage them.

What Are Broken Blood Vessels on the Face?

Contrary to their name, the blood vessels aren't truly "broken." They are small capillaries near the surface of the skin that have become permanently dilated or enlarged. This makes them visible as fine red, purple, or blue lines. Unlike a temporary rash, these marks do not fade on their own and can become more prominent over time. They are essentially smaller versions of the varicose veins that can appear on the legs.

!A close-up view of a woman's cheek showing broken blood vessels, also known as telangiectasias or spider veins.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/broken-blood-vessels-face-GettyImages-1152013599-f0025291555b41e995c1dd64cfafa097.jpg) Image Source: Verywell Health

Common Causes: Why Do They Appear?

The development of facial telangiectasias is often multifactorial. Several key factors can contribute to their appearance.

Genetics and Aging

For many, a predisposition to fragile capillaries is hereditary. If your parents have them, you are more likely to develop them. Additionally, as we age, our skin thins and loses collagen and elasticity, making the underlying blood vessels more fragile and visible.

Sun Exposure and Environmental Factors

Chronic exposure to the sun's UV rays is a primary cause of broken blood vessels. According to dermatologists at Banner Health, sun damage weakens the walls of blood vessels, making them more likely to dilate permanently. Sudden and extreme changes in temperature, from hot saunas to cold winds, can also stress capillary walls, leading to their appearance.

Skin Conditions like Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by persistent facial redness, flushing, and visible blood vessels. The NHS notes that tiny broken blood vessels that do not go away are a key feature of rosacea.

Physical Trauma and Pressure

Any action that puts sudden, intense pressure on the face can cause delicate capillaries to burst. This includes:

• Aggressively squeezing pimples or blackheads
• Harsh facial scrubbing
• Vomiting or intense sneezing
• Direct injury to the face

Lifestyle Choices

Certain lifestyle habits can contribute to the formation of spider veins:

• Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol temporarily dilates blood vessels. Over time, frequent and excessive consumption can lead to permanently enlarged vessels.
• Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels throughout the body, impairing their health and elasticity.

Professional Treatments to Remove Broken Capillaries

While home remedies can't erase existing broken capillaries, several highly effective in-office procedures can significantly reduce or eliminate them. It's essential to consult a board-certified dermatologist to determine the best approach for your skin.

Laser Therapy: The Gold Standard

Laser treatments are widely considered the most effective way to remove broken blood vessels. They work by sending a concentrated beam of light into the vessel, which is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the blood. This generates heat, causing the vessel wall to collapse and seal shut. The body then naturally absorbs the destroyed vessel over a few weeks.

• Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL): Often referred to by brand names like Vbeam, PDL is excellent for treating superficial redness and smaller vessels, making it a top choice for rosacea-related telangiectasias. A study comparing treatments found that Long-Pulsed Dye Laser (LPDL) was superior in the overall reduction of telangiectasias, with 46% of patients achieving excellent clearance.
• Nd:YAG Laser: This laser uses a longer wavelength that penetrates deeper, making it more effective for larger or deeper blue vessels.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

Also known as a photofacial, IPL uses broad-spectrum light to target hemoglobin. While not technically a laser, it functions similarly by heating and destroying the vessels. IPL is particularly effective for treating diffuse, widespread redness and smaller capillaries, and it has the added benefit of improving overall skin tone and texture. A 2-year follow-up study on IPL for rosacea-related telangiectasia found a low recurrence rate of just 8.41%.

Other Medical Procedures

• Sclerotherapy: More common for leg veins, this procedure involves injecting a specialized solution into the vessel, causing it to close and fade.
• Thermocoagulation (Electrodesiccation): This technique uses a fine needle to deliver a high-frequency electrical current or radio waves to heat and destroy the vessel.

What to Expect: Recovery and Long-Term Results

Most light-based treatments have minimal downtime. You may experience temporary redness, slight swelling, or bruising, which typically resolves within a few days to a week. Multiple sessions, spaced 4-6 weeks apart, may be necessary for optimal results. While treatments can permanently remove the targeted vessels, new ones can still form over time, especially without proper preventative care.

Prevention and Management at Home

Once a capillary is visible, it cannot be "repaired" with creams. However, you can take significant steps to prevent new ones from forming and reduce the appearance of overall redness.

The Power of Prevention: Your First Line of Defense

• Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is the single most important step in preventing broken blood vessels.
• Gentle Skincare: Wash your face with lukewarm, not hot, water. Avoid harsh scrubs and be gentle when cleansing and applying products.
• Moderate Your Lifestyle: Limit alcohol intake and avoid triggers that cause flushing, such as spicy foods and extreme heat, especially if you have rosacea.

Can Skincare Products Help? Efficacy of Topical Ingredients

While no cream can erase a broken blood vessel, certain ingredients can strengthen the skin and capillary walls, making them less prone to damage and reducing overall redness.

• Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that helps build collagen and strengthen capillary walls.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Known for its ability to reduce inflammation and redness.
• Retinoids: By boosting collagen production, retinoids can thicken the skin over time, making underlying vessels less visible. However, they can be irritating for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, so use them with caution and under a doctor's guidance.
• Vitamin K: The efficacy of topical Vitamin K is debated. While it may help with post-procedure bruising, there is little scientific evidence that it affects existing telangiectasias.

Home Remedies: Managing Expectations

Home remedies like applying a cold compress can temporarily constrict blood vessels and reduce redness. Soothing ingredients like aloe vera can also help calm inflammation, but these effects are temporary and will not remove the vessel.

Could It Be a Sign of Something More Serious?

In most cases, facial telangiectasias are a benign cosmetic issue. However, in rare instances, they can be a cutaneous marker for underlying systemic diseases. Conditions such as scleroderma, lupus, liver disease, and the rare genetic disorder Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) can present with broken blood vessels on the face.

When to See a Dermatologist

You should consult a healthcare professional if:

• You are bothered by the cosmetic appearance and want to explore treatment options.
• The broken blood vessels appeared suddenly and are spreading rapidly.
• They are accompanied by other symptoms like unexplained bruising, pain, swelling, or bleeding.
• You have a family history of related systemic diseases.

A board-certified dermatologist can provide an accurate diagnosis, rule out underlying conditions, and recommend the most effective treatment plan for your specific needs.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long do broken blood vessels on the face take to heal? Untreated, broken blood vessels (telangiectasias) on the face are generally permanent and do not heal on their own. After professional treatments like laser therapy, you can expect initial redness and swelling to subside within a few days. The treated vessels themselves will gradually fade and be absorbed by the body over the course of several weeks.

Do broken capillaries automatically mean I have rosacea? Not necessarily. While broken capillaries are a very common symptom of rosacea, they can also be caused by many other factors, including sun damage, genetics, aging, and physical trauma. However, if your broken blood vessels are accompanied by persistent facial redness, flushing, and small bumps, it's a good idea to see a dermatologist for a proper diagnosis, as it could be rosacea.

Can squeezing a pimple cause a broken blood vessel? Yes. Applying excessive pressure or trauma to the skin, such as aggressively squeezing a pimple or harsh scrubbing, can damage the delicate capillary walls beneath the surface, causing them to break and become permanently visible.

Are laser treatments for broken capillaries painful? Most patients describe the sensation of laser treatment for broken capillaries as a quick snap, similar to a rubber band hitting the skin. The discomfort is generally mild and very brief. Dermatologists may use cooling devices or topical numbing creams to ensure patient comfort during the procedure.

References

• Columbia Skin Clinic - Broken Capillaries – Cause and Treatment
• Medical News Today - Broken blood vessels on face: Causes, treatment, and home remedies
• Advanced Dermatology, P.C. - Broken Blood Vessel Treatment
• Banner Health - How to Treat Broken Blood Vessels on Your Face
• Verywell Health - Broken Blood Vessels on the Face: Causes and Treatments
• OHSU - Facial Redness: Rosacea and Blood Vessels