Facial telangiectasia (spider veins) – causes and treatment

It is called facial telangiectasia – or dilated capillaries – when there are multiple tiny blood vessels that look like spider webs visible on the facial skin, which results from blood vessels dilatation or expansion (including small blood vessels and peripheral veins). Dilated capillaries are manifested by the concentration of tiny, red, blue, and purple blood vessels in a variety of shapes. This phenomenon usually occurs in thin, poorly elastic, and injured areas of skin such as nose tip, cheeks, frontal jaws, or temples (often called facial dilated capillaries). Not only facial skin, but telangiectasia also develop in other areas of the body such as legs, thighs, posterior calves, etc. However, in this article, we are only referring to capillary dilatation on facial skin.

What causes facial telangiectasia?

There are many causes of facial dilated capillaries, but the most common ones include:

Genetic factors

Genetic factors determine the pigmentation and skin structure in each of us; therefore, if you are born with thin skin, the phenomenon of visible spider veins beneath facial skin is greatly influenced by genetic factors.

Sun exposure

Harmful UV radiation strongly affects the skin and the collagen and elastin layers beneath it, resulting in loose connective tissue, leading to weak cell-cell connection, making the skin lose its resilience. As a consequence, the pressure around blood vessels decreases, leading to the visibility of small capillaries under the skin.

Incorrect use of inappropriate cosmetics

The widespread use of cosmetics from unknown origin or alkaline/acidic products can weaken the skin, making it fragile, thinning and vulnerable. Cosmetic products containing corticosteroid is typically the culprit of dermal atrophy, thinning, contributing to the appearance of small capillaries on the face.

Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal changes are very likely to lead to dilated capillaries, mostly in women going through pregnancy, puberty, or menopause. During this time, the body is affected by the hormone, leading to certain changes of the blood vessels, swelling, combining with the proliferation of blood vessels.

Consumption of stimulants

Some hot or spicy stimulants may increase the blood flow in the capillaries. If you have thin skin, the capillary system will gradually be dilated, followed by a loss of elasticity and eventually, the capillaries become more visually prominent on the skin.

Aging

Dilated capillaries are considered one of the signs of aging. As we are older, our skin becomes more fragile, thin, the connective tissue under the skin weakens and leads to telangiectasia.

According to Dermatologist Hun Kim Thao, Medical Director of Grace Skincare Clinic, the first thing to do for successful treatment of telangiectasia is to determine the cause, then the appropriate protocol. To prevent recurrence after successfully treated, it is best to avoid using cosmetics containing corticosteroids. Other than that, it is recommended to focus on skin protection and staying healthy by applying sunscreen daily, maintaining the nutritional balance, and using skincare products regularly.

Currently, there have been numerous methods to treat dilated capillaries such as medication, topical cream, cold compress, traditional medicine, etc. However, with many years of experience in the field, Dr. Thao evaluates that these methods can only offer either poor or temporary efficacy. To completely eradicate dilated capillaries on facial skin, it is required medical intervention, practiced by an experienced dermatologist. Laser IPL therapy has been introduced at some beauty centers as a treatment of telangiectasia; however, the treatment result depends greatly on how advanced the technology is, its safety, and the skill of the performing doctor.

Treatment of telangiectasia at Grace Skincare Clinic

As a globally recognized method and used in more than 6,500 clinics and hospitals around the world, the Alma-Q Laser at Grace Skincare Clinic is one of the most advanced laser technologies available today (also the first and only technology in Vietnam that meets FDA & CE standards). Alma Q Laser can effectively treat facial dilated capillaries, as proved in numerous clinical cases. Alma Q Laser also benefits patients as the treatment requires less time, with accuracy and safety remarkably higher compared to the old technology. Beyond that, the intelligent light technology Alma Q penetrates deeply into the skin and precisely targets every single cell to improve skin problems such as hyperpigmentation, sagging skin, wrinkles, freckles, enlarged pores, acne scars, etc. Depending on each case and patient’s requirement, the doctor will apply the appropriate method for each area of the ​​skin, assuring a smoother, fresher, and healthier skin at the end of the treatment course.

Eradication with the shortened amount of time, high accuracy, safety, comprehensive treatment of skin imperfections at the same time and no rest time required are amongst the outstanding advantages of the Alma Q therapy compared to other technologies available on the market.

Alma Q Laser – the innovative technology in the treatment of telangiectasia

The innovative Alma Q technology excels by integrating the 3 latest technologies in 1:

YAG Laser (LP)

Long-pulsed laser with 1064nm wavelengths that emits high energy to penetrate deeply into the dermis beneath the skin, approaching the wall of blood vessels, clogging the capillaries that need treating, and then vanishing them. With extremely high pulse lengths (10-60ms), the laser can perform deep penetration and emit high energy levels that help to treat deeper lesions, which is something that a short-pulsed laser can not do. This is one of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of facial capillary dilatation.

Q-Switched ND Technology

YAG Laser is considered as the most effective treatment of removing melanin (both natural and synthetic ones), with good depth control and safety, minimizing damages to the skin in the surrounding area. Q-switched technology of Alma-Q also excels in the treatment of skin problems, including age-related imperfections such as melasma, freckles, tattoos, and other pigmentation conditions.

Laser QLP

Capable of delivering pulses whose width is sub-millisecond at a high repetition rate (5Hz), hence provide the ideal treatment for microscopic blood vessels (less than 50 microns in diameter). At the same time, laser QLP archives safe and effective heating that allows deep penetration to the skin dermis, stimulating the production of new collagen, resulting in firmer, rejuvenated skin This method works in treating acne scars, sagging skin, wrinkles, and other aging problems.

Sharing

Her thoughts on Alma Q technology, Dr. Thao confessed: “I am really impressed by the power of Alma Q because of its high accuracy in treatment of skin lesions, especially telangiectasia. The therapy is almost completely safe and requires only a very short amount of time, which helps patients to save time and money. In fact, our clients can see the transformation of their skin only after a few sessions done. I feel totally comfortable with choosing the world-renowned brand Alma Q to be the ‘savior’ for my patients and also very honored as Vietnam’s first representative doctor of Alma Q technology.”

Advantages of capillaries dilatation treatment at Grace Skincare Clinic

• Professional, FDA & CE accredited skincare clinic, equipped with the most modern technologies and equipment
• Assessment and treatment practiced by Dr. Hun Kim Thao – our experienced dermatologist, with the highest safety and accuracy guaranteed
• Pain-free therapy that requires shortened treatment time and no rest period.
• No unnecessary products pushed on customers

As one of the world-class standard skincare clinics, along with a team of experienced doctors, we are confident to provide our clients with the highest quality and safest services Should you need more details on capillary dilatation treatment or any other dermatological problems, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Reviewed by Dr. Hun Kim Thao

Contact Us

Grace Skincare Clinic
An international cosmetic dermatology clinic in Vietnam using FDA and CE-approved medical devices and treatments.

Mayfair Suites, 102ABC Cong Quynh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Book your appointment: https://www.graceskinclinic.com/book-now
Tel: 0822-531-223
Hotline: 0961-796-809