Light therapies and lasers have been effectively used over the years for the management of rosacea. Light-based therapies are particularly effective in treating the varied vascular manifestations of this disease like flushing, redness, and prominence of capillaries.
Both the IPL and the long pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser are treatment options for prominent capillaries and spider veins for the face and body. The treatment with IPL and Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser is suitable for spider veins on the face & body but is not suitable for treatment of varicose veins. A course of 1-3 or more treatments is recommended for best results.
IPL treatment is an effective modality for the treatment of the disease and is associated with significant patient satisfaction, especially as the vascular component may not improve with other therapies.
The 1064 Nd:YAG laser can penetrate below the skin, and is useful to treat vessels in the face and legs. A quick pulse of light and heat is delivered to the skin eliminating and sealing the visible part of the vein. The laser is fast, and cooling is used throughout treatment to minimise discomfort. The Nd:YAG 1064 nm vascular laser treatment can reduce the redness and facial flushing, and can clear the angiomas, prominent veins with safety and supreme efficacy. Treatments take up to 30 minutes, with minimal downtime.
IPL – IPL treatment promotes the formation of blood clots in dilated blood vessels according to the principle of photocoagulation, leading to the occlusion and disappearance of the expanded capillaries. Simultaneously, the thermal effect of IPL can stimulate changes in the skin thus increasing the production of collagen in the dermis and reducing the inflammation to reduce rosacea. The advantages of the IPL include the ability to treat larger areas at once, due to the light being flashed through a larger window. This allows the IPL to evenly treat conditions marked by general redness such as rosacea, and to efficiently treat lots of fine vessels at once.
Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser – The 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treats dilated veins and broken capillaries and other small red spots on the face and upper body by shining a bright laser for a few milliseconds at the troublesome vessel. Such a laser will pass through skin without ill effects but will strike red blood cells and cause them to heat up. These heated red blood cells will damage the blood vessel and cause it to collapse and shrink. Thus, the laser causes shrinkage and likely disappearance of the visible and unwanted dilated blood vessels. Simultaneously, the thermal effect of the Nd:YAG laser can stimulate changes in the skin thus increasing the production of collagen in the dermis and reducing the inflammation to reduce prominent capillaries and redness. In addition, the treatment modulates the local immune response, which makes the skin shrink and thicken, increasing skin elasticity, skin texture and reducing fine wrinkles
Cherry angiomas, also known as red spots or Campbell de Morgan spots, are benign harmless, but permanent overgrowth of skin blood vessels. They tend to increase in size and number with age, and often have no cause. One study showed 75% of people at the age of 75 have at least 1. Occasionally, they can be secondary to hormonal changes.
They are typically not a cause for concern unless they are changing size, shape, or are bleeding frequently. If this occurs see your local doctor for an assessment.
They are very common in all races and ages. They become more common with age.
They are often small bright red circular or oval structures that can range from a pinhead to half a cm in size. They may be flat, raised, red, blue, or varying shades of purple. If they become thrombosed (blood clots within them), they may appear black.
Any changing or black lesion should be evaluated by a doctor.
There is no known way to prevent cherry angiomas from growing.
While they are more common in older age, they are normal in teens and those in their 20s.
Yes. Most people will have at least one cherry angioma on their body at some point in their lives.
There is no determined normal number of cherry angiomas. Some people have one, some have hundreds.
What is not normal is if you have increasing numbers appearing. This should prompt you to visit your doctor for assessment.
Yes. They can tend to slowly grow over time. Some, however, may form then stay the same size.
No. Cherry angiomas are not contagious.
Whilst most are slightly raised. There are some cherry angiomas that are flat. All cherry angiomas will start off flat when they are developing.
True cherry angiomas present on the skin are not dangerous. However, as with any new skin lesion, these should be checked by your doctor
Yes. Although uncommon, If exposed to trauma they may bleed.
These red spots are easily removed with IPL. Treatments take up to 5 minutes and may require 2-3 treatment sessions to remove the red spot completely. There is no downtime, and we can remove every red spot on your body during the same session, although we do suggest limiting treatments to 50 spots maximum in one sitting. Other options you may read about include:
In most cases only one treatment is necessary. Larger stubborn cherry angiomas may require 3-5 sessions. This is uncommon.
No, cherry angiomas will not go away with cream.
Rosacea is the result of chronic skin inflammation, usually over the cheeks, nose, and chin. There are multiple factors usually involved including:
Treatment of Rosacea is often multi-dimensional depending on the severity of the condition. General principles of Rosacea treatment include:
Topical rosacea creams or oral tetracycline antibiotics may be prescribed by your cosmetic physician during your complimentary consultation. These can be very useful in the treatment of rosacea. Our laser treatments include the Intense Pulsed Light in treating Rosacea. These are very effective treatments and work well in combination with our prescription cream range.
When starting your treatment regimen to reduce redness/rosacea and facial flushing you may find the following general measures helpful:
Also known as Telangiectasias or broken capillaries, prominent veins result from broken blood vessels becoming visible on the surface of the skin. They are usually caused by excessive sun exposure, corticosteroid creams, and skin trauma. There are rarer causes that your Cosmetic Physician will assess you for at your complimentary consultation.
No, once damaged these veins remain enlarged and visible to the naked eye. These need to be treated with laser therapies. Creams help to treat the underlying cause, but will not remove veins and capillaries already enlarged and damaged.
Yes, as capillaries enlarge they are prone to rupturing and bleeding. Particularly when exposed to trauma. This is usually seen as a bruise under the skin, or occasionally outright bleeding.
Yes. Our laser therapists will direct you to the latest technologies to remove your broken capillaries with the least discomfort and quickest results.
There is no downtime and minimal pain associated with this type of laser treatment. Treatments take less than 5 minutes.
They are unlikely to fade on their own. However, fading or even complete removal is very possible with our gold standard laser technologies.
These capillaries and veins were always there. The reason you can now see them is that they have become enlarged.
Enlargement of capillaries and veins occurs for a variety of reasons, each requires its own unique treatment regimen to ensure there are no worsening/new capillaries forming.
Regardless of the reason for enlargement, laser or IPL therapy is the most effective method for removal.
The area around the base of the nose where the nostril meets the cheek is a common area for broken capillaries. This is a thin area of skin where capillaries are quite close to the surface and easily visible when they enlarge.
These are comfortably treated with our variety of laser devices.
If left untreated, yes.
Fortunately, these can be easily removed with our laser therapies.
Yes. Rosacea can cause larger visible broken capillaries, along with smaller prominent capillaries that can present as a diffuse redness across the usual rosacea-prone areas (chin, cheeks, forehead and nose).
These are most often benign cosmetic concerns. Rarely are they associated with an underlying medical condition. It is important you have any skin change checked by a doctor.
At Elixir Hunter, all doctors are experienced in checking prominent veins and capillaries to ensure they are safely removed and not any more than a cosmetic concern.
Yes. Spider veins are a form of broken capillary.
Yes. There are many terms to describe dilated veins and capillaries. They include:
Alcohol can increase the appearance of broken capillaries owing to its ability to dilate blood vessels. Often people notice their redness and capillaries appear more prominent when drinking alcohol.