Broken capillaries are one of those things that can feel sudden, even though they usually develop over time. You might notice fine red lines on your nose or cheeks that don’t fade, no matter how calm or cool your skin feels that day.
They’re very common and usually harmless. For many patients, treating broken capillaries is about restoring a clearer, more even-looking complexion, not fixing something that’s wrong.
Enlarged blood vessels visible beneath the skin
Nose, cheeks, chin, around the eyes
Clearer, more even-looking skin
What Are Broken Capillaries?
Broken capillaries are enlarged blood vessels that occur just underneath the skin. Despite the name, they aren’t actually broken — they’re dilated or weakened, which makes them easier to see.
Appearance:
Common locations:
These veins usually appear around the central face where skin is thinner and blood flow is more visible.
Why Broken Capillaries Develop
Several factors can contribute to the appearance of broken capillaries. There are some commonly known causes:
Genetics: If a person in your family has spider veins, you are more likely to have them too. Family history plays a significant role.
Sun exposure: Sun damage can cause blood vessels to enlarge, resulting in spider veins. UV exposure weakens vessel walls over time.
Changes in weather: Drastic changes in the weather can affect blood flow in the body, causing the facial skin to flush. The blood vessels may burst, causing a spider vein to form.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, many women experience broken blood vessels on their face due to hormonal changes. Fortunately, these facial veins will typically go away after giving birth.
Rosacea: People with rosacea are more likely to develop broken capillaries. The chronic flushing associated with rosacea puts stress on blood vessel walls.
Alcohol consumption: Frequent consumption of alcohol can lead to long-lasting broken blood vessels and redness on the face.
Temperature extremes: Exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures can cause vessels to dilate and potentially become permanently visible.
Aging: As we age, skin becomes thinner and blood vessels become more fragile and visible.
How to Prevent Broken Capillaries
While you can’t completely prevent broken capillaries, certain habits can help reduce their development.
Apply sunscreen with UVA & UVB broad spectrum: Daily sunscreen protects against sun damage that enlarges blood vessels. EltaMD offers excellent broad-spectrum options for facial use.
Use a gentle exfoliant: Harsh scrubbing can irritate skin and worsen broken capillaries. Choose gentle exfoliating products and avoid aggressive techniques.
Keep your skin hydrated: HydraFacial MD treatments help keep skin hydrated and healthy, especially important in winter when skin is more prone to dryness and irritation.
Wash your face gently with warm water: Avoid using hot water or cold water on your face. Extreme temperatures can cause blood vessels to dilate. Warm water is gentlest on the skin.
Protect from temperature extremes: When possible, protect your face from very hot or very cold environments. Use scarves in winter and avoid prolonged heat exposure.
Moderate alcohol consumption: Reducing alcohol intake can help prevent new broken capillaries from developing.
How Broken Capillaries Can Affect Appearance
Broken capillaries don’t usually cause discomfort, but they can change how skin tone looks overall.
Patients often say broken capillaries:
These concerns are very common. Treating broken capillaries is usually about calming the look of the skin, not altering natural features.
What to Expect During a Consultation
A consultation at Lazaderm is focused on education and comfort.
During your visit, your provider will:
You’ll have time to ask questions and decide what feels right for you.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Treatments for broken capillaries can provide noticeable improvement, but they don’t prevent new capillaries from forming.
What to understand:
Once capillaries have become visible, the only way to get rid of them completely is with laser or light treatments. The goal is clearer, more even-looking skin — not perfection.
Once capillaries in the body have become visible, the only way to get rid of them completely is with laser or light treatments. Non-surgical treatments can significantly reduce the appearance of broken capillaries with minimal discomfort. A consultation allows your provider to evaluate your skin and recommend the best approach.
Laser therapy can eliminate the majority of red veins with minimal discomfort.
How it works: Laser energy is absorbed by the blood in the vessels, causing the vessel to coagulate and gradually fade from view. The surrounding skin is left intact.
Results:
Treatment protocol: Depending on the condition of your facial veins and your aesthetic goals, several treatment sessions may be necessary to achieve ideal results.
Best for:
BroadBand Light is the world’s most powerful IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy for treating broken capillaries.
How it works: BBL uses a special light to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. The light energy targets the hemoglobin in blood vessels, causing them to coagulate and fade. The procedure also rejuvenates your skin while removing the broken vessels.
Benefits:
Best for:
In addition to laser and light treatments, certain supportive treatments can help maintain results.
HydraFacial MD: Regular HydraFacial treatments help keep skin hydrated and healthy, which supports overall skin quality and may help reduce the likelihood of new broken capillaries forming.
Medical-grade skincare: Products that support skin barrier health and hydration can complement professional treatments.
Sun protection: Daily sunscreen use is essential both before and after treatment to protect results and prevent new broken capillaries from developing.
If broken capillaries are something you’ve been noticing or would like evaluated, a consultation can help you understand your options. At Lazaderm, consultations focus on education, safety, and helping you feel confident moving forward.
