Have you seen web-like visible structures on the skin? It is known as
broken veins, spider veins, or telandiectasia in the medicine world. These are
small, dilated blood vessels that are located near the surface of the
skin.
So, are you the one who has these broken veins? Do you know why they
appear?
These spider-like structures are commonly visible on the face and legs.
Various factors, like genetics, sun exposure, aging, and lifestyle choices, can
be the reason for it. Though harmless, they can be a major aesthetic concern
for many people. Interestingly, many successful non-invasive treatments have
evolved to effectively minimize or get rid of broken capillaries. This post will help you interact with those
non-invasive treatments.
Understanding Broken Veins and Capillaries
Before describing the treatments, understanding their causes is crucial.
These vessels are pronounced when they are enlarged and dilated. This can
happen because of increased pressure or damage to the vessel walls. Overall,
its common causes are the following:
- Genetics: If there is a history of this problem
in the family, this skin condition is likely to develop.
- Hormonal
Changes:
Certain phases, like pregnancy, menopause, and birth control pills, can
cause hormonal changes that lead to spider veins.
- Sun
Exposure: The harmful
ultraviolet rays of the sun can also defect the skin and its blood
vessels, leading to broken capillaries.
- Aging:
Aging
reduces the layer of collagen, which makes the skin lose its elasticity
and become thinner over time. This may also be the reason for spider
veins.
- Lifestyle
Factors: The
next one is related to your lifestyle. Permanent sitting, obesity, and a
lack of exercise can lead to dilated capillaries.
Non-Invasive Cosmetic Treatments
Unlike surgical methods, non-invasive treatments are evolved to help
people achieve flawless skin. Broken veins and capillaries can make it look
flaky. Don’t worry! This condition is absolutely treatable. The following
non-invasive treatments are evolved to effectively treat them and achieve
optimal results: So, let’s introduce you to them:
- Laser
Therapy
Laser therapy is well-known for its outstanding results. It is one of
the most common and effective nonsurgical treatments for dilated veins or
capillaries. This procedure involves focused light energy, which heats up the
targeted blood vessels. Their precise and controlled heating makes them
collapse. And over time, they fade away.
Types of Lasers: In this procedure, different types of laser devices, like pulsed dye
lasers (PDL), Nd lasers, and intense pulse light (IPL), can be used.
Effectiveness: Considering the results of a study published in the Journal of
Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, laser treatments are highly successful treatments.
Most patients accept that they experienced significant improvement in 1-3 sessions.
Side Effects: Although not permanent, these lasers can cause temporary redness,
swelling, and bruising. Fortunately, these effects are minimized and even fade
away in a few days.
- Intense
Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
It is popularly known as light therapy. Doctors use a broad spectrum of
light’s wavelengths, but not a single wavelength. Once penetrated, it helps in
treating a variety of skin conditions, including broken blood vessels. And it
won’t take more than a single session for vein treatment.
How It Works: This procedure targets the hemoglobin (RBC) in the blood vessels. As
the light penetrates, they heat up and, hence, die. The body’s metabolism
reabsorbs them over time.
Advantages: This extremely effective light treatment can make skin tone and
texture flawless and radiant shortly. That’s why people prefer it over other
facials to rejuvenate skin.
Effectiveness: This procedure is found to be extremely helpful in reducing the
appearance of broken blood vessels with minimal downtime and discomfort.
- Sclerotherapy
This procedure has been traditionally used to get rid of large varicose
veins. But, for smaller veins and capillaries also, it is found effective. The
certified practitioner and skincare specialists inject a sclerosing solution
directly into the broken blood vessels. Its effect causes them to collapse. And
over time, our bodies absorb them naturally.
Procedure: As the sclerosing solution goes in, the lining of blood vessels gets
irritated. These dead vessels stick together and eventually dissolve naturally.
Effectiveness: Studies have proven that sclerotherapy is highly recommended for being
able to treat dilated veins or capillaries. So, its success rate is 80% to
90%.
Side Effects: Temporary redness, slight inflammation, and bruising are obvious in the
area where it was injected.
- Radiofrequency
(RF) Therapy
Radiofrequency, or RF therapy, works on heat. Like lasers, this heat is
produced by radio waves. They penetrate the area where broken veins are
located. Despite being effective, doctors prefer it less because it is not
completely effective for all patients.
How It Works: To treat, a small thing is inserted into the vein to probe and deliver
RF energy. The radiofrequency energy gets in and heats up. Consequently, the
defected blood vessels die and disappear over time.
Advantages: This therapy is minimally invasive because it requires a small
incision to probe into veins. For a painless experience, doctors use local
anesthesia.
Effectiveness: Certainly, it has shown impressive results with many patients, who
experienced improvement right after one or two treatments.
- Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is not an approved treatment for broken blood vessels.
But it can improve overall skin appearance. Typically, it is responsible for
peeling off dead cells from the topmost layer of the skin so that new cells can
grow smoothly, improving overall texture.
Procedure: A device
is used in this procedure, which sprays fine crystals onto the skin and
simultaneously vacuums them away, removing dead cells.
Effectiveness: This is basically an exfoliation treatment that improves the overall
skin texture and its health.
Side Effects: Like other non-invasive treatments, patients may see slight redness
and feel sensations. But these side effects subside in a day.
Complementary Treatments and Lifestyle Changes
The aforementioned nonsurgical treatments can resolve this vein
condition. Parallel to it, you need to make certain lifestyle changes in order
to prevent and reduce the chance of their reappearance.
- Sun
Protection
Lavishly apply sunscreen to protect your skin from hazardous UV rays,
which is certainly the main cause of this skin condition. Also, avoid excessive
sun exposure.
- Healthy
Diet and Hydration
Take a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to improve your
skin’s health. Lubricate your skin with water, which helps in maintaining its
elasticity and minimizing damage.
- Regular
Exercise
Do workouts so that your blood continues to circulate smoothly. It
reduces the likelihood of vessel damage and blood pooling.
- Elevating
Legs
If the veins are located in the legs, elevate your legs periodically to
improve blood circulation and reduce pressure on the veins.
Choosing the right treatment
As a piece of advice, it is always good to consult with a certified doctor. His experience will help him understand the severity of the condition. So, search for an experienced doctor who has years of hands-on experience and certifications.
Conclusion
Broken veins or capillaries are mostly painless and won’t cause any concern. But aesthetically, it can be a concern. Multiple non-invasive treatments have evolved, like laser therapy, IPL, sclerotherapy, RF therapy, and microdermabrasion. They precisely and effectively help in dissolving these dilated blood vessels so that your skin will look flawless.