The sun is the main reason of capillary and facial vein visibility. It thins the skin and causes the release of substances that form new capillaries. Smaller capillaries are often seen in areas most exposed to the sun. These are particularly concentrated in your nose, cheeks and lower parts of your eyes. In such areas, capillaries are dense and cause redness. Larger capillaries can be seen in the nasal area and all over your face. Besides sun exposure, rosacea is the second main cause of their development. Rosacea causes a tendency for facial redness; coupled with external stimuli it can lead to the development of new capillaries.

Causes of Broken Capillaries

Broken capillaries occur on areas where the skin is the thinnest or most sensitive, such as the face, especially the cheeks and nose. As mentioned above, appearance of broken capillaries can be caused by sun exposure, hot weather, strong wind, sunburn, trauma, rosacea and some other factors. Dry skin is also considered to be prone to broken capillaries.

How Can Laser Treatment Remove the Appearance of Capillaries and Veins?

In the past, the method used to eliminate the appearance of capillaries and veins was to burn them with electricity, which often caused complications. This method could only remove smaller capillaries. The application of optical energy-using devices; lasers, IPL and PFT treatments have shown the greatest progress in the treatment of this condition. 

Laser light energy concentrates on the targeted vessel. The energy is then transferred from the laser to the vein and is absorbed by the veins, causing blood congestion. Since the vein no longer carries blood, the blood is absorbed by the body, eliminating the appearance of broken capillaries.

As explained above, the treatment principle is based on the mechanical destruction of veins and capillaries with optical energy. Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, absorbs laser beams, releasing energy that destroys blood vessels. IPL devices and AFT treatments eliminate small capillaries and redness of the skin. Lasers with a wavelength of 755nm can be used, but their usage is not common. A 980nm diode laser easily removes medium, large and small capillaries. 1064nm Nd Yag laser removes all capillaries and vessels regardless of their size and color.

Pulsed Dye Lasers

Pulsed dye lasers are the most common type of laser used to treat broken capillaries. Also known as the V-ray laser, this laser is used to treat a variety of skin conditions including birthmarks, acne scars, port wine stains or spider veins in addition to broken capillaries, This type of laser is thought to provide a fairly painless burst of energy, and the laser light works to both cool the outer layer of the skin while targeting damaged blood vessels under the skin.

Necessary Treatments

The number of treatments required to completely eliminate broken capillaries varies depending on the number and appearance of broken capillaries. While a large capillary network may require several treatments, smaller capillaries may disappear after one treatment. Treatments typically take 30 minutes or less.

Who Is Ideal For Laser Treatment?

Most people can easily get laser treatment for their capillaries. However, people with vascular diseases or bleeding and/or scarring disorders may not be good candidates. Before starting treatment, you will have a skin assessment to determine the best type of laser to use and to make sure your veins are not actually varicose veins. Although laser therapy is beneficial for spider veins, it is not used for varicose veins.

How Could I Prepare For The Procedure?

Avoid sun exposure, alcohol and anticoagulants such as aspirin for at least one week before treatment. Creams, lotions and moisturizers should not be applied to the treatment areas before your appointment.

What Happens During Treatment?

Normally, only very small and superficial veins are treated and the whole process takes less than an hour. Although most patients report minimal discomfort, some patients may be more comfortable if topical anesthesia is applied prior to the procedure. Eyes will be covered with opaque protective glasses to protect them from intense laser beam. The laser has a cooling system that reduces any burning sensation. Patients often report a slight tingling sensation as laser files.

What Should I Expect After Treatment?

After treatment, you may feel a slight lump under the treated area that will disappear within a few hours. The skin may temporarily become redder and have a cat scratch-like appearance. Very rarely, mild bruising or crusting may occur. After therapy, spider veins will gradually change color and most of them will disappear within two to four weeks.

Is It Possible To Completely Remove All Veins and Capillaries?

The answer to this question has two aspects, first of all it is not possible. Secondly, doing so can lead to different and very serious complications. However, they can be removed almost completely. Capillaries and veins tend to reappear, especially if you continue to expose them to the sun.

Is Treatment Painful?

The treatment is not painful. Minor discomfort is possible when treating the nasal area. The treatment takes a few seconds to a few minutes, after which you apply ice to the areas for 15-30 minutes. Makeup can be done immediately after treatment.

How Many Sessions Are Required?

The initial treatment is performed with a weaker laser power to see the skin's reaction and prevent complications. On average, 1 to 3 sessions of treatment are needed. The number of sessions required cannot be estimated. In case of skin damage or sensitivity in the sun, we recommend a few more treatments as a safety measure. On rare occasions, some patients may not respond to the treatment or the achieved result may not be very satisfactory. The intervals between treatments should be approximately 30 days.

What Are Possible Complications?

In order to prevent complications, the treated area should be cooled with an ice pack or cold bandages for 1 to 2 days after treatment. In addition, you should avoid all direct heat sources such as heaters or ovens. Often some redness around the treated area is observed, however it disappears very quickly. Scarring due to the laser treatment is an almost insignificant threat. A minor crust or skin damage may occur if there are certain capillaries or veins near the skin surface. After treatment, swelling or tingling in the treated area may occasionally occur. If this happens, tell your doctor immediately. These problems are solved immediately with an injection. Minor bruising is also possible when removing small capillaries and they will heal within a few days.

When Can I See the Result?

Results are usually visible within 2 to 4 weeks after treatment because it takes longer for the organism to discard capillaries. Usually, smaller capillaries disappear immediately, but it should be noted that this situation differs from patient to patient.

Do Capillaries and Veins Reappear After Treatment?

Treated veins and capillaries do not reappear, but there is a possibility that new ones will emerge. Therefore, if new ones appear, it is sometimes necessary to have a maintenance treatment once every two years. After the treatment, you should protect yourself from the sun by applying sunscreen lotions.

Broken capillaries occur on areas where the skin is the thinnest or most sensitive, such as the face, especially the cheeks and nose.