The Best Treatment For Broken Capillaries

We talk a lot about loving your beauty flaws, but it’s hard to make the same case for visible capillaries.

Look closely in the mirror and you may see them – those angry-looking, red or purple lines disrupting your otherwise flawless complexion.

Thankfully, they’re not dangerous – just a bit unsightly. We speak to Nip + Fab skin care expert Misty Francis to find out just how they come about and the best way to treat them.

What are visible capillaries? Are they really 'broken'?

Otherwise known as telangiectasia, visible capillaries are tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin, and are responsible for the circulation in the face.

According to Misty, some visible capillaries are simply “dilated and large blood vessels”, while others are “ruptured blood vessels”. So in the latter case, ‘broken’ is a pretty apt description for what’s happened.

How do visible capillaries occur?

Misty lists the following causes:

Trauma: Wounds, skin surgery or intense cosmetic treatments.
Ageing: As we get older, the collagen and elastin in our skin becomes weaker. This, among other factors, makes our skin thinner and our veins more noticeable.
Genetics: It’s not guaranteed, but if your parents or grandparents have broken capillaries on their face and/or arms, your chances of having them are higher.
Hormones: If you’re going through hormonal changes (such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause), you may experience broken capillaries on your face and arms as your body tries to adjust.
Environment: Environmental factors like sunburn, windburn or extremely cold weather can lead to broken capillaries.
Some medical conditions: Those who suffer from rosacea (a condition that makes the skin red and flushed) tend to suffer from broken capillaries on the face and arms, especially around the nose and eye areas. Liver damage can also cause this condition.

What can be done to prevent them?

It isn’t always possible to stop broken capillaries from forming, but you can protect yourself from some of the environmental causes.

Sunlight is known to aggravate the problem, so a high SPF sunscreen such as Cetaphil Suntivity Liposomal Lotion 50+, Elucent Anti Ageing Day Moisturiser SPF 50+ or Ella Bache Great 50+ Facesaver Active is always a good idea.

Moving from one extreme temperature to another in a short space of time can also be a contributing factor, which means some sufferers may benefit from staying away from saunas or very hot showers.

Sunscreen 50+

And if all else fails…

You can also use concealer to cover visible capillaries. Try a medium to high coverage formula such as Clarins Concealer Stick or Innoxa Lasting Cover Concealer, which will help cover not just broken capillaries, but blemishes, pigmentation and sunspots as well.

Do you have visible capillaries? What other skin conditions would you love to learn more about?

105 Member Comments

Gilded 3 Oct 2017 11:43 AM

I've got some on my left cheek that is probably from all the cystic acne trauma my skin suffered. I hope to get rid of it someday but for now mac studio finish concealer does the trick for me.

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Seashells 3 Oct 2017 11:19 AM

I have a broken blood vessel on the left side of my nose, but I can't see any veins around it. My dermatologist keeps saying to me that I could have laser done on it, but I can neither afford it nor be bothered with it (the only time it annoys me is when I apply makeup because I don't own concealer). I know I'm at risk of developing more as I think I've inherited my Mum's rosacea condition and I have had a broken capillary form this year underneath my right eye, which I strangely got rid of with my Avéne Spot Treatment Pen.

Miss19 14 Nov 2016 11:31 PM

Thankfully I do not have any on my face

skincare junkie 31 Aug 2016 12:09 AM

I am so glad I found this article!! (worth staying up late at this time). I have this problem although not very serious I still want to prevent and repair.

Arty Girl 23 Aug 2016 11:13 PM

I have a tiny area of visible capillaries on my left cheek. It's not large enough to worry about yet but it is there.

Goldcat 10 Jul 2016 4:08 PM

I always used to think it was just old people that got this, that was until I noticed them around my nose. And I'm not old yet.

dollparts__x 7 Jul 2016 11:01 PM

i have broken capillaries among other skin concerns, i found this article super helpful. Thank you <3

moonbaby54 7 May 2016 2:28 AM

Thanks for this informative article. I have a very small patch on my face, but the ones that concern me most are those on my legs. I have had them since I was 18 or 19 and they have always bothered me. I will be looking at having them removed.

sootyblack_14 16 Apr 2016 3:43 PM

I have broken capillaries all over, and to be honest they don't bother me one bit....I think they give me character!!!!

Shop A Everyday 10 Apr 2016 8:18 PM

Glad to hear they can be treated

Elefante 8 Apr 2016 12:47 PM

I do around my cheeks, concealer does the trick

cwingy83 8 Apr 2016 11:40 AM

i have some on my skin

talk-a-lot 6 Apr 2016 10:38 PM

I am pretty sure I don't suffer with broken capillaries, I can't see any little red lines on my face.

Petal 28 Feb 2016 6:53 AM

I developed broken capillaries on my face when I was in my early twenties. I'm almost certain it was due to sun damage (a time when people didn't talk about sun safety) and going into saunas. I've sometimes thought about treating the redness with laser etc, but I'm not sure if I could tolerate the pain.