Broken capillaries are tiny, dilated blood vessels that are visible through
the skin. They become more common as we age and our skin becomes thinner
and more fragile. Several factors can contribute and/or hasten their formation.
Fair-skinned people are generally more prone to broken capillaries.
People with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure
or lupus, appear to be more susceptible to their formation. In addition
to these indicators, there are certain environmental and behavioral
factors that can contribute to the formation of broken capillaries.
These include: temperature extremes, frequent nose-blowing, abrasive
exfoliating products (such as apricot-kernel scrubs) and excessive
sun exposure - wear a broad spectrum sunscreen daily. Alcoholic
beverages, as well as hot and spicy foods, have also been known
to aggravate broken capillaries.
Once they form, broken capillaries will not disappear on their own.
However, they can be successfully removed using a diode laser. This
treatment, performed by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, costs
between $300.00 and $350.00. The procedure is virtually painless,
typically does not require downtime, and rarely requires more than
one treatment. It should be known that broken capillaries may reappear
after a few years, requiring this treatment to be repeated. |
