Facial Spider Veins, Broken capillaries or Telangiectasia, are one of the most common facial skin conditions for which patients seek treatment. These unsightly dilated blood vessels are seen almost exclusively in patients with fair skin.  Contrary to popular opinion, facial Telangiectasia is not associated with alcohol abuse and is most often associated with chronic sun exposure, rosacea, overuse of cortisone creams, certain autoimmune diseases and it is sometimes hereditary. In many cases, the exact cause is unknown.

Unlike leg veins, which are induced and aggravated by gravity, facial Telangiectasia are usually capillaries or small arteries (arterioles) in the second layer of skin which have dilated and become visible because of weakened elastic fibres in the skin’s walls. Despite their common name, they are not true ‘veins’. They occur most commonly around the nose and on the cheeks.

The laser at Cosmos Cosmetic Medicine is able to remove the broken capillaries without any downtime. The laser emits a light which is absorbed by the haemoglobin in blood. The blood absorbs the laser energy more than the surrounding tissue therefore the blood vessel can be selectively clotted without causing damage to the skin.

No anaesthesia is needed for treatment of facial Telangiectasia - the laser pulses feel like little ‘snaps’, and can be easily tolerated by most patients. In most cases a transparent cooling gel is used on the skin to increase comfort and decrease superficial blistering. You may be red for 24-48 hours after the treatment however you can apply make up during this time.

In some cases (especially in larger, high flow telangiectasia around the nose) there may be an improvement instead of complete resolution after the initial treatment. It is much safer to re-treat than to run the risk of scarring - anticipate a re-treatment about a month after the initial treatment for best results. You may need 3-4 treatments (a month apart) for best results. To maintain the results a sunscreen needs to be applied daily.

For more information please call us on 1300 138 797 or email info@cosmosclinic.com.au