Patch Blog: How to Treat Broken Capillaries

Those of us who tend to worship the sun or have “unlucky” genetics—particularly if we happen to have fair-skinned complexions—can suffer from a fairly widespread condition: Broken capillaries.

These appear as tiny red splotches that show through the skin’s surface. Other imperfections, such as cherry angiomas (small growths of blood vessels common on the neck and chest) and facial spider veins can also appear with age. Makeup can camouflage these imperfections. The good news is that there are ways to remove them altogether.  

Removing Isolated Capillaries and Imperfections

What works best? For isolated capillaries and cherry angiomas, the treatment is a no-brainer. A great solution is radiofrequency energy, usually applied through a needle-like device at the surface of the skin. The heat from the radio frequency is attracted to the fluid in the capillaries. It effectively vaporizes them instantly—you can see them disappear as if by magic before your eyes. The treatment takes just seconds.

Improving Widespread, Diffuse Conditions of Redness

For diffuse redness, spider veins or rosacea, such a pinpoint delivery system obviously becomes less practical. These conditions are handled best by phototherapy treatments—a fancy term for “light therapy.” Phototherapy, specifically IPL (Intensed Pulse Light Therapy), works in the same manner as radiofrequency treatment.

The difference is that the wavelengths of energy used in IPL treatments are applied all over the area of concern with a paddle-like device rather than on spots with a tiny needle. This wavelength of energy is uniquely attracted to dilated blood vessels, which are destroyed by the absorbed energy and heat. As the fragments get reabsorbed in the body the complexion clears.  

At-Home Solutions

Even a brief Internet search reveals no shortage of lotions, creams, and serums designed to relieve these conditions as well. Be very wary, though, of purchasing hope in a bottle. Blood vessels lie relatively low, in the dermal area of the skin. This is a depth not treated well with over-the-counter products, which fail to penetrate very far.

Blood vessels are also resilient and not likely to disappear without strong treatment. Think about how much energy is stored in directed radiofrequency and beams of light—then try to imagine a cream having the same kind of power and effect.

Calming products can slow or prevent the formation of new capillaries—and certainly improve the look of red tones at the surface of the skin. They are a good place to start. But keep your expectations in line—low-tech solutions have limited results in treating capillaries.