Telangiectasias: what are they and how can you treat them?

It sounds like a fantasy language, but magic spells stand no chance. Telangiectasias are small, dilated blood vessels that become visible in the skin. They often look like fine red, purple, or bluish-red lines on the skin surface. Some people also call them visible blood vessels or burst vessels, although the latter is not entirely the correct medical term.

They often occur on the face, for example on the cheeks, nose, or chin, but can also be visible on other parts of the body. Although telangiectasias are usually harmless, they can be perceived as cosmetically bothersome. In this article, you will read exactly what telangiectasias are, how they develop, the difference between them and couperose, and what treatments are available.

What are telangiectasias?

Telangiectasias are small blood vessels that are permanently dilated. Normally, these vessels are so small that you cannot see them, but when they widen and lie closer to the skin surface, they become visible.

That can look like:

• thin red lines
• a network of fine vessels
• local redness
• small vascular branches on the skin

The term might sound complicated, but in fact, it simply means that small blood vessels in the skin stand out more than normal.

Where do telangiectasias occur most frequently?

Telangiectasias are most often seen in areas where the skin is thinner or more sensitive, such as:

• the nose
• the cheeks
• the chin
• around the nostrils

Sometimes they also occur on the legs or other parts of the body, but in skin therapy practice, it usually involves visible veins on the face.

How do telangiectasias develop?

There is no single cause. Often, multiple factors play a role simultaneously. Telangiectasias can be caused by, among other things:

• hereditary predisposition
• sensitive or reactive skin
• sun damage
• skin aging
• temperature fluctuations
• rosacea or couperose
• hormonal influences
• repeated irritation of the skin

In some people, small blood vessels gradually become more visible as the skin ages. In others, redness or vascular reactivity has already played a role for a longer period.

What is the difference between telangiectasias and couperose?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.

Telangiectasias are the visible, dilated blood vessels themselves.
Rosacea is more of a skin condition in which redness and visible blood vessels occur together, usually on the cheeks and nose.

Simply put:

• telangiectasias = the visible blood vessels
• couperose = the broader picture of redness of which those small vessels are often a part

Therefore, someone can have telangiectasias without pronounced couperose, but conversely, telangiectasias are often seen with couperose.

Are telangiectasias dangerous?

In most cases, telangiectasias are innocent. They usually do not cause medical problems, but they can be bothersome regarding the appearance of the skin. They are often noticeable, especially on the face, certainly on fair or thin skin.

However, it is a good idea to have your skin professionally assessed if you have any doubts.Not every redness or vascular change is the same, and sometimes a different cause or approach is more likely.

Can telangiectasias go away on their own?

Usually not. Once a blood vessel is permanently dilated and becomes visible in the skin, it usually does not disappear completely on its own. However, redness may be temporarily more or less visible, for example due to heat, cold, exertion, or stress.

The small vessels themselves usually remain present until they are treated specifically.

What treatment is available for telangiectasias?

For visible blood vessels, treatment is often sought that focuses on reducing the visibility of the vessels in the skin. Which treatment is most suitable depends on:

• the location
• the depth of the vessels
• the color of the blood vessels
• the skin type
• the sensitivity of the skin
• any underlying redness or rosacea

In practice, treatment using equipment specifically targeting capillaries is often chosen. During an intake, it is assessed which approach suits your skin and complaint.

What does an intake look like?

A thorough intake is important because not every red vein is the same. During an intake, the following are usually examined:

• your skin type
• the nature of the redness
• whether it involves isolated capillaries or a broader picture of redness
• how sensitive the skin reacts
• which treatments have been done previously

Based on that, a specialist can assess which treatment is feasible and appropriate.

What can you do yourself?

Telangiectasias usually do not disappear with skin care alone, but you can try to prevent the redness from increasing further or becoming more visible.

Consider, for example:

• use sun protection daily
• treat the skin gently
• avoid aggressive scrubs or irritating products
• limit heat and extreme temperature fluctuations
• provide good support to sensitive skin with appropriate care

For skin that reacts red easily, it is wise to carefully tailor products and treatments.

For whom is this treatment interesting?

A treatment for telangiectasias is particularly interesting for people who:

• suffer from visible red veins in the face
• to be bothered by persistent redness
• want a more even skin tone
• want to know the difference between couperose, rosacea, and visible blood vessels
• want a professional assessment of what suits their skin

How many treatments are usually needed?

That varies from person to person. Some blood vessels respond faster than others, and the extent of the redness also plays a role. For some people, a limited number of treatments is sufficient, while for others, a course of treatment is more logical.

Therefore, it is better not to look at just “a single treatment” beforehand, but at a plan that suits your skin.

What can you expect after a treatment?

The skin may react temporarily after a treatment. For example:

• slight redness
• heat in the skin
• temporarily sensitive skin

That varies per treatment and skin type. Good aftercare and sun protection are important in this regard.

When is it smart to ask for advice?

It is wise to seek advice if:

• the redness increases
• you see more and more visible veins
• You are unsure whether it is couperose, rosacea, or something else.
• You want to know if treatment is possible.
• your skin reacts quickly, becoming red and sensitive

Precisely because redness can have many different causes, a professional consultation is often the best first step.

Conclusion

Telangiectasias They are small, visible blood vessels in the skin that often occur on the nose, cheeks, and chin. They are usually harmless, but can be bothersome if you suffer from redness or an uneven skin tone.

Although they usually do not disappear on their own, there are treatment options. Which approach is best depends on your skin, the visibility of the capillaries, and any underlying redness such as couperose or rosacea.

Do you want to know if your visible veins can be treated? Then an intake is the best first step. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation intake interview or plan a video consultation. This way, you gain clarity on what you see in the skin and which treatment suits it.

Literature

• Karsai S, Raulin C.
  Treatment of facial telangiectasia using a small spot high-fluence intense pulsed light system.
  Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy.
  
• Tierney EP, Hanke CW.
  Review of treatment options for facial telangiectasias and erythema.
  Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
  
• Ross EV, Domankerevitz Y.
  Laser treatment of vascular lesions.
  Clinics in Dermatology.
  
• Babilas P, Schreml S, Szeimies RM, Landthaler M.
  Intense pulsed light (IPL): a review.
  Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2010.
  
• Taub AF.
  Treatment of rosacea and facial telangiectasia with intense pulsed light.
  Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.