Those tiny red, blue, or purple lines across your cheeks, nose, or chin are often caused by enlarged or visible blood vessels, commonly known as broken capillaries or spider veins. Once they appear, they typically don’t go away on their own. The good news is that laser treatments are an effective way to help you achieve a smoother, more even-looking complexion.

What Are Broken Capillaries?

Broken capillaries are small blood vessels that have dilated and become visible beneath the surface of your skin, which is what causes them to stand out. They usually appear as fine red, blue, or purple lines, sometimes branching out in a web-like pattern. Broken capillaries are most common on the face, but they can also appear on other areas of the body.

What Causes Broken Capillaries?

Several factors can cause broken capillaries, including:

• Sun exposure⎯Years of sun exposure can damage both collagen and blood vessels in the skin. As collagen breaks down and vessel walls weaken, tiny blood vessels may become more visible on the surface of the skin.

• Genetics⎯Family history is a common risk factor for spider veins. If your parents have them, your chances of developing them may be higher.

• Aging Skin⎯Aging causes the skin to lose collagen and elasticity, which can make underlying blood vessels more noticeable.

• Rosacea⎯This skin condition commonly causes facial redness and visible blood vessels, particularly on the cheeks and nose.

• Hormonal changes⎯Pregnancy and some medications can affect how blood vessels function, and could make them more noticeable under the skin.

Laser Treatment for Broken Capillaries

Laser treatment is one of the most effective options for reducing the appearance of facial veins because it uses targeted light energy that treats specific blood vessels without harming surrounding skin. The blood vessels absorb the laser energy, heat up, and close them so they gradually fade as the body naturally clears the damaged blood vessels over the following weeks.

What is the Best Treatment for Broken Capillaries on the Face?

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused laser energy to safely target and reduce the appearance of spider veins. Lasers deliver precise pulses of light that are absorbed by the pigment in the blood vessel, without affecting the surrounding skin.

Smaller spider veins may begin to improve within a few weeks of treatment, gradual fading as the skin heals. Larger blood vessels often take longer to clear and may darken at first before gradually fading over 1 to 3 months as the body naturally absorbs them. After laser therapy, it’s important to protect the skin from sun exposure for at least 3 to 4 weeks so the skin can fully heal. 

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Face Treatment

Unlike lasers which use a single focused wavelength, IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light to treat large areas. This is effective in treating both facial redness and more spread-out, visible blood vessels across the face, as well as improving overall skin tone and texture.

After a series of IPL treatments, usually 2–4 sessions spaced several weeks apart, most patients begin to notice a gradual improvement in skin clarity and overall tone. Facial redness and visible blood vessels become less noticeable as the skin appears calmer and more balanced.

Laser Treatment Recovery

Here are tips to care for your skin after laser treatment or IPL treatment to reduce irritation and help your skin recover faster:

• Protect your skin from the sun by wearing SPF 30 or higher daily. Shop recommended SPFs.

• Don’t take a hot shower or go in a sauna for 24–48 hours after treatment to help minimize redness and support optimal healing.

• Avoid using retinoids and exfoliants for a few days.

• Stay hydrated and moisturize to help the healing process. Shop recommended moisturizers.

• Don't pick your skin. Let any dark spots fade naturally.

Treatment for Facial Spider Veins at NM Aesthetics in the DMV Area

If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of facial spider veins and have a balanced and brighter complexion, reserve an appointment at NM Aesthetics, proudly serving clients throughout the DMV area. If you’d like to have a consultation first, we offer virtual and in-person consultations, and are conveniently located in the Ballston Exchange.

FAQs 

Can broken capillaries come back after treatment?

Treated blood vessels are permanently closed and gradually reabsorbed by the body. However, new capillaries can still form over time due to factors such as sun exposure, natural aging, genetics, or certain skin conditions.

What does the skin look like after treatment?

Mild redness, swelling, or slight darkening of treated vessels can occur immediately after treatment. These effects usually subside within a few hours to a few days.

How many IPL treatments for broken capillaries?

Most patients need 2–4 IPL sessions to reduce broken capillaries. For facial redness or rosacea, this may require 4–6 treatment sessions for best results.

How many laser treatments are needed for broken capillaries?

Most patients need 1–3 treatments depending on the severity and amount of visible capillaries.