Facial Vein
Laser
Treatment

The Scientific Stuff

Facial telangiectases, commonly known as broken capillaries, are small to medium sized red or purplish visible blood vessels on the face, most commonly on the nose and cheeks. For the majority of people they are caused by a combination of sun-damage and inheritance but in a small percentage they may be genetic due to other medical conditions.

There are several ways these vessels can be treated. Techniques commonly involve photothermolysis. This technique involves using light of a certain colour (or more accurately light of a certain wavelength) that is shone onto the skin for a very short time interval – usually less than ten thousandths of a second. The light is taken up by the blood inside the blood vessel and converted to heat which damages the blood vessel causing it to be reabsorbed by the body over the next few weeks leaving no evidence that it had ever been there before.

The Good Stuff

Facial redness and broken veins can be treated either by using an IPL machine or an Nd Yag Laser. The IPL is largely used for more generalised redness/small blood vessels and larger areas of broken capillaries. The Nd Yag Laser is useful for treating larger diameter blood vessels and those that are in difficult areas on the face eg nose and chin but this laser can also be used to treat diffuse redness and redness associated to Rosacea (see Laser Genesis). It is common to require a combination of treatments with IPL and Nd Yag Laser and more than one treatment with each technology for complete clearance of the broken capillaries. Each treatment with either an IPL machine or an Nd Yag Laser MUST be separated by 4-6 weeks.

What You Need To Know

The skin will be cleansed prior to the treatment but it is advisable to attend for treatment without any makeup or moisturisers on the skin. In an IPL treatment a cold gel may be applied to the skin before the treatment. The head of the IPL machine is applied to the skin and a bright flash of light will be seen (eye protection will be given to you) when the IPL is activated. It will feel like a hot elastic band has been flicked on the skin and this discomfort will pass after 1-2 seconds. The treatment consists of multiple applications of the IPL to the skin and a treatment can take up to 45 minutes to complete. An Nd Yag Laser treatment requires the use of several laser shots over the affected blood vessels. This feels like multiple hot pinpricks on the skin, relieved in 1-2 seconds by immediate cooling of the area. The laser shots tend to leave a red raised area where the laser light has penetrated the skin followed by a crusty area of dead skin that goes after a few days.

What I Need To Tell You

After IPL treatments there may be a sunburn-like redness that can last for 1-3 days and some blood vessels may darken for a few days before eventually clearing. Bruising is possible and this may last for 1-7 days, and is especially common after IPL. Nd Yag Laser treatments tend to leave a crusty area of dead skin where the laser has been fired and this will settle after a few days. It is important to NOT pick or scratch these areas after the treatment as this may introduce bacteria and lead to skin infections. After an Nd Yag Laser treatment there may be a small area of coffee-coloured discolouration remaining on the skin where the laser has been fired. This can be prevented in most situations by avoiding sun exposure and applying a 30+ sun block to the areas treated for 1-2 weeks afterwards. Both technologies generate heat on the skin so there is always a small risk of blisters, which can take 7-14 days to resolve, usually without scarring.

You MUST avoid sun exposure and solarium treatments for at least 3 weeks after the IPL treatment (and at least 2 weeks after the Nd Yag Laser treatment) because the area treated will be more prone to burning and increased pigmentation during this period. Apply a 30+ sunblock frequently and daily for 1-2 weeks after treatment. If your treatment was for broken capillaries, these may return if you continue to expose your skin to sunlight.

It is important to maintain a good skincare routine with adequate moisturisation on a daily basis. However, you should avoid using any skincare that contains AHA, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid or Retinoic Acid (eg Retin A) for 3-5 days.

It should be emphasised that whilst most veins are cleared by this treatment, it is possible for new veins to form in the future and further treatments are commonly required at 18-24 months. It is important to maintain good sun protection by using a 30+ sun-block.

To ensure the best results and reduce any possible complications from this treatment it is important that you follow the aftercare instructions given to you by your cosmetic practitioner.