What Are Broken Capillaries?
Broken capillaries (also called telangiectasia) are small, thread-like red or purple blood vessels that become visible near the surface of the skin — most commonly around the nose, cheeks and chin. Unlike general facial redness, they appear as distinct fine lines or webs rather than an overall flush.
Broken capillaries often appear alongside rosacea, but plenty of people have them without any other redness or sensitivity. If ongoing flushing or general redness is your main concern, our Rosacea & Facial Redness page covers that in more detail.
What Causes It?
- Genetics — some people are simply more prone to visible vessels than others
- Sun damage — UV exposure weakens vessel walls over time
- Ageing — skin thins with age, making underlying vessels more visible
- Pressure or trauma — sneezing, vomiting, extreme temperatures or physical pressure can all rupture small vessels
- Alcohol and rosacea — both are commonly linked to broken capillaries
How We Assess It at Cosmetic Skin Co
At your consultation, Lisa will look at the size, depth and location of your broken capillaries to work out the right approach — smaller, precise vessels often respond best to a different technique than broader networks of larger vessels.
Recommended Treatments
- VascuLyse — VascuLyse — precise, pinpoint RF treatment ideal for individual broken capillaries, with most imperfections resolving in 1–3 sessions.
- Laser Vascular Treatment — Laser Vascular Treatment — laser treatment suited to broader networks or larger areas of visible vessels.
- IPL Skin Rejuvenation — IPL Skin Rejuvenation — light-based treatment that can also target broken capillaries, often combined with general skin rejuvenation.
Which treatment (or combination) suits you best depends on the size and spread of your broken capillaries — this is exactly what your consultation is for.
Recommended Skincare
- Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Cosmetic Skin Co Reusable Makeup Removal Pads (3-Pack) — Lisa’s own go-to, used with every client in clinic; ultra-fine reusable microfibre pads that gently remove makeup without the rubbing that can aggravate visible vessels.
- Dermaceutic K Ceutic — Dermaceutic K Ceutic — repairing recovery cream that nourishes and supports the skin following treatment.
- Queen Crème — Queen Crème — restorative antioxidant and peptide moisturiser that hydrates, soothes and helps protect the skin.
- Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50+ — Good Morning Daily Face Sunscreen SPF50+ — broad-spectrum daily SPF; sun exposure weakens vessel walls, so daily protection helps prevent new capillaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can broken capillaries be permanently removed?
Yes — treated vessels are generally permanently removed, though new ones can develop over time due to genetics, sun exposure or other triggers.
How many sessions will I need?
Most broken capillaries resolve within 1–3 sessions, though this depends on the size and number of vessels being treated.
Which treatment is right for me — VascuLyse or Laser Vascular Treatment?
It depends on the size and spread of your vessels. Lisa will recommend the right option (or combination) at your consultation.
Is there any downtime?
Both treatments involve minimal downtime — some redness or minor swelling immediately after, settling quickly.
Can I have broken capillary treatment in summer?
Yes — summer treatments can still go ahead, as long as your skin is well prepped beforehand and you continue to follow your post-treatment care instructions.
Book a Consultation
Ready to talk about removing your broken capillaries? Book a free skin consultation with Lisa and get a treatment plan tailored to your skin.