Broken Capillaries

[acester]

Hi

On my face I have annoying Capillaries, there is one quite priminent one..which is noticeable sometimes and sometimes not but it's the tiny little ones that are making my face look red and blotchy!!!

Does anyone know what I could do?

 

[Hanne]

I think they are what is termed "broken capillaries" (because they show ?).

I think I'm proned to those (my dad and aunt have them on their cheeks, I sofar only have tinny ones close to my nose that I can cover up).

Do you have thin skin ?
Cold harsh winter weather can bring them out so I use a cream on my face especially made to protect the skin from them. It's by Comfort Zone and called Absolute Protection Couperosis..and this winter my skin has shown no sign of even the tinniest addition to the ones I have allready.

I just google' and found this (so it's totally subjective..I don't know if its bull or not...but I guess K-vitamin and echinacea never hurt anybody

A very interesting active agent too is vitamin K which stabilizes the surface capillary system of the skin and therefore reduces erythema (purpura) as well as dark eye contours. Hence, vitamin K can also be applied for the cosmetic treatment of rosacea and couperosis. Though, couperosis can alternatively be treated with echinacea. Both the substances can be used to soothe the skin in cases of temporary erythema.

- From http://www.dermaviduals.de/english/publics/special_actives.htm

Another google provided this insight:

Genetics, extreme temperatures or climatic change, sun exposure and even vitamin shortage can lead to widening of the small blood vessels on cheeks and nose. With modern laser or radio-surgical equipment, the burst vessels can be effectively sealed in one or several sessions, depending on the severity of the condition. You will have to be prepared for a few days of swelling and light scabbing, which can be adequately dealt with by cosmetic camouflage. Both after care and prevention center around the daily use of a special skin crème that suppresses the tendency to develop further lesions.

..it was from a dutch laser clinic ..so subjective say the least.

 

[meowmix]

thank you, hanne.. i needed that as well!

 

[acester]

Thankyou Hanne

I live in australia and can't survive without my sunscreen so I mean exposure to too much sun doesn't seem right and of course not extreme cold

I'm not sure whether my skin is thin though..how do you tell?
I think it is a genetic thing

 

[Hanne]

To be perfectly honest I'm not sure thin skin has anything to do w. broken capillaries. I have thin skin around my eyes..but thats not uncommon and thats not were I have broken capillaries..

 

[Tarden]

It's possible that you may have rosacea, or may be at risk for it in the future. It can occur in anyone, but is especially common in fair-skinned people, and is more common in women than men.

Just FYI
http://www.rosacea.org/

 

[acester]

eeek..lol soz i jsut hope i don't have that. I have pretty clear fair skin but like I was going to take photos but if you go to close to something the photo ends up really bright.

 

[Tarden]

eeek..lol soz i jsut hope i don't have that. I have pretty clear fair skin but like I was going to take photos but if you go to close to something the photo ends up really bright.

The symptoms don't usually show up until your late 30s or 40s. Rosacea is an underdiagnosed disorder, which is why I mentioned it. It's just something to be aware of as you get older. In the meantime, take good care of your fair skin.

 

[chavtwo]

Metrolotion/metrogel

Everyone has those capillaries. But when they are very visible and your skin seems red and blotchy or flushed - sounds like Rosacea.

My derm told me to wash with Cetaphil (no fancy cleansers...) and then prescribed Metrolotion topical cream twice a day. It also comes in a gel form but the lotion is more moisturizing. Then wait 20 minutes before applying suncreen lightly and applying cosmetics. It's really working well for me.

However, if you have rosacea, any harsh weather (cold, wind, heat/humidity) will likely make your face flush. Also alcohol can make rosacea sufferers flush. Try to avoid those conditions (easier said than done).

 

[Tinuviel]

My aunt had some small red capillaries on her cheeks that were bothering her and she went and had them zapped with IPL, which is apparently some kind of laser. She says they disappeared.

 

[chavtwo]

Laser zapping; green-colored cosmetics

Yes, you can reduce the appearance of large capillaries on your face via laser. Go to a dermatologist rather than the folks that do bikini lines 'cause it's not the same thing! My friend with rosacea had it done and it reduced the redness significantly (but not totally).

The procedure is considered cosmetic so insurance (in the US) will not cover it. (I've tried every excuse and it's still a no go.) It's not cheap - my derm charges around US$2000 for it.

If laser zapping is too taxing on the pocketbook, try Physician's Formula green colored products. You find them at the drugstore. I blend some of the green cream cover up with my normal sunscreen and use it on my cheeks & red areas. I also really like the green powder. Warning - use a very light hand with all of the green products or you will look like Frankenstein!

 

[ryan_nz]

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is amazing, it's not a lazer, it works well and fast - ring up local beauty clinics and ask if they have someone who comes in to do this as it will probably be cheaper than going to a lazer / dermatologist clinic

 

[Tallulah]

I suffer from Roscea and had the V-Beam procedure twice to treat my redness. It was only $400 US a treatment and my insurance did cover it. I know I got very lucky but also my redness was severe. I constantly look like I fell asleep in the sun with my sunglasses on. Anyway the procedure is somewhat uncomfortable. They described it as "having a hot rubberband snapped repeatedly over your face" and guess what they where dead on with that description. After the procedure my face my somewhat red and a little swollen but by the next morning I was fine.