What are (Face) Telangiectasias?
Telangiectasias (commonly called “spider veins” or “broken blood vessels”) are very small pink, red, or blue-colored dilated blood vessels located near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. When located on highly visible areas, like the face, many patients seek our advice on scarless removal.
What causes Face Telangiectasias?
Most commonly, facial telangiectasias are caused by chronic sun damage; however other conditions or diseases may cause or promote telangiectasias, including, but not limited to:
- rosacea,
- liver disease,
- pregnancy,
- autoimmune diseases (e.g. scleroderma, dermatomyositis and lupus), and
- Chronic systemic or topical corticosteroid use or elevated systemic cortisol states
Activities or conditions that trigger blushing or flushing may worsen telangiectasias.
Although triggers and response varies from person to person, common triggers include:
- sunlight (ultraviolet radiation),
- exposure to environmental temperature extremes (heat or cold),
- strong winds,
- hot or cold drinks,
- spicy foods, and / or
- alcohol consumption.
Skin care products and routines that irritate the skin, such as abrasive cleansers, may contribute to telangiectasia worsening.
What can I do to minimize or prevent Telangiectasias?
- Protect your skin from the sun (wear SPF 30 or higher sunscreen as needed).
- Use a mild, gentle, hypoallergenic, moisturizing cleanser.
- Avoid chronic topical corticosteroid use without intervening periods of disuse.
- Avoid or minimize exposure to known flushing triggers (listed above), as much as possible.
What are treatments for Face Telangiectasias?
Telangiectasias themselves are not dangerous and pose no health risk or serious problems. Telangiectasia treatment is usually sought for cosmetic purposes to improve appearance.
Telangiectasias on the legs, referred to as spider veins, are usually treated by sclerotherapy.
Facial telangiectasias or telangiectasis of other skin body areas treatments include:
- Camouflage with concealing creams (i.e. makeup),
- Broad band light therapy / Photofacial (Intense pulsed light) or Lasers, and / or
- Electrosurgical destruction, and
- Sclerotherapy (rarely)
Broad band light (BBL) (aka photofacial) is our preferred and usual treatment method for most facial telangiectasias. Usually, a series of 2-5 treatments is recommended for best outcomes.
Gentle, safe, effective, relatively painless, non-invasive, no down-time, quick and easy, photofacials with BBL have few disadvantages and contraindications.
BBL or similar lasers selectively target the telangiectasias via their distinctive discoloration, without significantly causing injury to adjacent tissues.
Avoid blood thinners, sunburn and suntan skin before BBL / Photofacial / Laser treatment.
Use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen for at least 2 weeks before and after treatment.
Darker skin types may not be ideal candidates for BBL / Photofacial telangiectasia treatments.
Some larger telangiectasias or vessels will not respond well to BBL / photofacial and may require more aggressive / invasive electrosurgical destruction (aka electrodessication). Electrodessication is a non-selective destructive method, thus, also, causing some minimal injury to adjacent tissues. Care, skill and experience is required to avoid scarring or minimize scar risk with electrosurgery. Electrodessication requires one to two treatments and results are usually long-lasting or permanent. Expect some visible, yet small superficial ablation wounds along the paths of the treated telangiectasias that require once or twice daily wound care with a topical antibiotic ointment for several days or more until healed. Use sunscreen as well.
Face or other telangiectasia treatments are one of the most commonly requested and performed procedures by our board certified dermatologists and laser treatment aestheticians. With over 50 years combined experience, our dermatologists are among the most experienced cosmetic dermatologists in Las Vegas. Our dermatologists have been voted or selected among the "Best Dermatologists" in Las Vegas and America multiple years.
Strimling Dermatology, Laser & Vein Institute of Summerlin, Las Vegas treats patients not only from all over the Clark County valley and nearby areas, but also, nationally and internationally.
Contact us at info@strimderm.com or call us at (702) 243-6400 to schedule with one of our experienced cosmetic dermatology providers or aestheticians.