Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that connect arteries and veins, which may be visible on the skin surface, especially where skin is thin, such as the face. Broken capillaries look like thin red threads on the skin that have a webbed appearance, so that they are called spider veins. Luckily, we can use home remedies to relieve the condition and if necessary, medical treatment can provide cure. First, let’s take a look at the culprits for broken capillaries:
Why Do You Have Broken Capillaries?
The medical term for broken capillaries is telangiectasia rosacea. There are various factors that can cause broken capillaries to appear:
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Causes |
Why It Causes Broken Capillaries |
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Delicate skin on face |
The veins under your skin are very delicate and easy to get damaged. Even a slight damage can cause the veins to dilate and break. If the broken veins do not constrict back to their original state, broken capillaries, or spider veins appear. |
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Scrub with force |
Washing or scrubbing your wash too vigorously can bring damage to the skin and the veins, causing broken capillaries on your face. |
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Extreme temperature |
If you wash your face with very hot water, it can cause the veins to expand and even break and not go back to the original size. |
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Rosacea |
Broken capillaries on face is sometimes a symptoms of Rosacea, which causes your skin to flush and become red. |
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Age |
Broken capillaries on your face are more prominent as you age, as your skin usually gets thinner, which makes it easier to see the veins. |
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Excessive alcohol intake or smoking |
Chronic alcohol intake can increase blood pressure, which makes the veins in the face to enlarge. Frequent alcohol intake causes repeated blood vessel dilation, which may be locked in this position. Smoking can damage your circulatory system, which makes it easier for you to get broken capillaries. |
Home Remedies for Broken Capillaries
1. Use Sunscreen
The heat of the sun can cause harm to your skin. Sunscreen is not only treatment for broken capillaries on your face but it is also for beauty protection. The UV rays of the sun have a strong effect to your skin which will damage the wall of your skin cells.
2. Have More Vitamin C and K
Fruits and vegetables like spinach, citrus fruits, cauliflower and sprouts are rich in vitamins C and K, which can help reduce the risk of getting broken capillaries. Another way to increase your intake of these vitamins is to take dietary supplements daily.
3. Try Topical Creams
Applying topical creams on the face that increase blood circulation can help reduce broken capillaries by strengthening the walls of the blood vessels in the skin. They also help reduce the redness of the capillaries. Creams containing vitamins K and C, peppermint, and rosehip oils also help promote blood flow, which can reduce broken capillaries in the face.
4. Apply Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains a lot of vitamin C and has a natural bleaching effect, so applying it directly on the face may reduce the appearance of broken capillaries. Try adding lemon juice to your daily moisturizer to strengthen your capillaries and reduce redness.
5. Wash Face with Proper Force and Temperature
Keep your skin healthy and well hydrated with proper skin care. Always protect your skin from sunburn, dry wind, and extreme changes in temperatures. Do not scrub your skin excessively or bathe with hot water to prevent skin damage. Wash your face with lukewarm or cold water to reduce the development of broken capillaries on the cheeks, nose, and chin.
6. Make Lifestyle Changes
Having a healthy lifestyle is key to preventing weak blood vessels and broken capillaries. Cigarette smoking has an oxidizing effect on the cells, which weakens and damages blood vessels. Avoid smoking to prevent disease of the circulatory system, which can increase your risk for broken capillaries. Alcohol consumption dilates blood vessels and leads to spider vein formation. Chronic alcohol intake can lead to liver damage, which can cause spider veins to appear.
The following video explains more remedies to relive and prevent broken capillaries on your face:
Medical Treatments for Broken Capillaries
1. Medications
Ask your doctor or dermatologist about oral medications as well as medicated creams to shrink broken capillaries. After proper evaluation, your doctor will determine the suitable treatment for you. Treatment may begin showing results in several days. Avoid using over the counter medicines without proper consultation.
2. Laser Treatment
Laser treatments work by sending powerful bursts of light to the blood vessels, making them slowly disappear. No needles or incisions are used. However, this treatment can have side effects such as bruising, itching, redness, and swelling in the skin. Complications include blistering of the treated skin, which can lead to scarring. Laser surgery may be less effective than Sclerotherapy.
3. Sclerotherapy
This treatment involves injection of the veins with a special solution that closes the veins, causing blood flow to reroute to healthier veins. The treated veins fade immediately. Sclerotherapy is very effective if done properly. This procedure can be performed without anesthesia in the doctor's office. Side effects may include itching, swelling, and color changes in the treated skin area.
What About Broken Capillaries on Your Body?
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Causes |
Why It Causes Broken Capillaries |
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Family history |
Weakness in blood vessels can run in the family and it may be considered a hereditary condition. A child who has a family history of broken capillaries may manifest the condition later in life. |
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Obesity |
Putting on excess weight causes the vein valves to be unable to withstand the additional load and thus get broken. Obesity is one major cause of broken capillaries in the legs. |
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Pregnancy |
The amount of blood flowing through the body increases during pregnancy, which results in vein enlargement and many broken capillaries. |
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Hormonal changes |
Hormonal fluctuations that occur in puberty, pregnancy, and menopause may be responsible for the appearance of broken capillaries. |
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Skin damage |
Changes in temperature, sun exposure, and hot, dry winds can damage the sensitive skin of the face and cause broken capillaries to appear. |
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Liver disease |
Liver damage may occur after chronic alcohol abuse or due to liver disease, causing the appearance of spider veins. |