The best treatment for broken capillaries

We talk a lot about loving your beauty flaws, but it’s hard to make the same case for visible capillaries.
Look closely in the mirror and you may see them – those angry-looking, red or purple lines disrupting your otherwise flawless complexion.
Thankfully, they’re not dangerous – just a bit unsightly. We speak to Nip + Fab skin care expert Misty Francis to find out just how they come about and the best way to treat them.
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What are visible capillaries? Are they really 'broken'?
Otherwise known as telangiectasia, visible capillaries are tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin, and are responsible for the circulation in the face.
According to Misty, some visible capillaries are simply “dilated and large blood vessels”, while others are “ruptured blood vessels”. So in the latter case, ‘broken’ is a pretty apt description for what’s happened.
How do visible capillaries occur?
Misty lists the following causes:
- Trauma: Wounds, skin surgery or intense cosmetic treatments.
- Ageing: As we get older, the collagen and elastin in our skin becomes weaker. This, among other factors, makes our skin thinner and our veins more noticeable.
- Genetics: It’s not guaranteed, but if your parents or grandparents have broken capillaries on their face and/or arms, your chances of having them are higher.
- Hormones: If you’re going through hormonal changes (such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause), you may experience broken capillaries on your face and arms as your body tries to adjust.
- Environment: Environmental factors like sunburn, windburn or extremely cold weather can lead to broken capillaries.
- Some medical conditions: Those who suffer from rosacea (a condition that makes the skin red and flushed) tend to suffer from broken capillaries on the face and arms, especially around the nose and eye areas. Liver damage can also cause this condition.
What can be done to prevent them?
It isn’t always possible to stop broken capillaries from forming, but you can protect yourself from some of the environmental causes.
Sunlight is known to aggravate the problem, so a high SPF sunscreen such as Cetaphil Suntivity Liposomal Lotion 50+, Elucent Anti Ageing Day Moisturiser SPF 50+ or Ella Bache Great 50+ Facesaver Active is always a good idea.
Moving from one extreme temperature to another in a short space of time can also be a contributing factor, which means some sufferers may benefit from staying away from saunas or very hot showers.
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And if all else fails…
You can also use concealer to cover visible capillaries. Try a medium to high coverage formula such as Clarins Concealer Stick or Innoxa Lasting Cover Concealer, which will help cover not just broken capillaries, but blemishes, pigmentation and sunspots as well.
Do you have visible capillaries? What other skin conditions would you love to learn more about?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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105 Member Comments
Rosacea sufferer here! I've tried a KTP laser treatment once and I saw slight immediate benefits and it wasn't too painful, just felt like very slight stings. To see further improvement a few more treatments were recommended alongside a targeted skincare routine; it's something I will try in the future as it is quite costly. I'd love to learn more about Rosacea and Psoriasis as I suffer from both.
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Unfortunately I also have some broken capillaries on my face, the side of my nose and the side of my face. Guess it is just a side affect of getting older and something that we need to accept and can cover up with concealer.
Like having age spots as well. Would love to have porcelain white skin like Nicole Kidman or Cate Blanchett.
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I dont think I have any
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I've got a little one on the side of my nose, I can't stand it
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I do not have visible capillaries currently but it is good to know tips on prevention.
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I think I caused mine by pushing too much with face vibrators under thin eye area top cheek. So I have small one there still
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I've never heard of treating broken capillaries with vitamin A before.
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I was thinking the same thing. I have heard about Vit C as a possibility but not Vit A.
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I’ve been using prescription retin A for years and it’s done nothing for mine
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I have some around my nose from when it was pierced, I am really considering fraxel laser treatment so this was good advice about what does and doesn't work
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Good luck with it all duality
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My parents don't have them so I'm hoping I don't get them!
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I only have a tiny few but I did have more about 15 years ago ... I got them zapped off ... I can't remember exactly what the beauty salon did ... it was using a needle ... worked well ... they never came back
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Unfortunately if put broken capillairies as just one of those life things!
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I have them on my chin. Never heard of Vit A to treat them. Concealer is usually my go-to. lol. I'm not too bothered by it.
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Apparently my local doctor's surgery (not my doctor, unfortunately) can treat broken capillaries, and bulk bills! Must investigate further.
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I have some random small ones but its not surfaced so much, its like if I press gently on the spot I can see it.
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I have this from genetics, but didn't realise microdermabrasion can make them worse! What an amazing article, Thankyou BH!!
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I have visible capillaries all my life. No one has ever suggested vit A as treatment
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Mine is linked more with hormones. It just looks so odd on my face!
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Yup...its in DNA...both Mum and Dad had them. Its just part of me so I tend not to focus on them and pretend they are not there.
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Yes that's genetics for you. Some good some not so
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Very true,...the good thing is that both my parents had good skin. Mum passed away at 77 and didnt have a single wrinkle :D
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Wow. I hope you have inherited that beautiful wrinkle free skin also.
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I think im doing quite well so far Sootyhere. I have had beauticians tell me that my skin looks younger then my years. The interesting thing is that one of my daughters has always been a sun worshiper and has never really bothered with a good skincare routine and she is now in her 30's and has wrinkles around her eyes and on her forehead. She cant believe that she has wrinkles were I have none. Her youngest sister has taken care of her skin since she was in her young teens and although shes still her twenties its easy to see the difference. So I do think DNA plays a party but even so you still have to put the loving care into a skincare routine.
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