Telangiectasias are small, broken, or widened blood vessels found near the surface of the skin.
They typically appear as fine pink/red patches or as obvious red/purple lines which whiten (blanche) under mild direct pressure. The telangiectasias typically measure between 1mm-3mm in diameter and are usually harmless. However, some patients experience some itching and even tenderness in the area because of pressure on the small veins.
They most commonly are found on the face, nose, chin, and cheek, although the also occur elsewhere on the body. Furthermore, the more general facial redness that some patient also suffer is caused by telangiectasias on the face are due to broken blood vessels or spider veins in the face.
Causes
In many cases, the exact cause of telangiectasia is unknown.
However, there are several factors which can contribute to the development of telangiectasia, including:
- Genetics
- Ageing
- Sun and wind exposure
- Medications that widen blood vessels
- Pregnancy or the oral contraceptive pill
- Trauma to the skin
- Surgical incisions
- Rosacea
- Acne
- Prolonged use of oral or topical corticosteroids
Importantly, telangiectasia can sometimes precede a more serious disease or medical condition, such as autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and scleroderma, and liver disease. If these conditions are suspected by your treating doctor, then tests may be needed to investigate further.
Treatment
It is important to understand that there is no outright cure for a telangiectasia as they tend to creep back gradually over time. However, they are very treatable.
For patients with an obvious underlying medical condition such as acne or rosacea, an oral or topical antibiotic s with anti-inflammatory properties such as minocycline may be prescribed to clear the pimple component. This, in turn, may significantly improve the associated telangiectasias and redness. However, often the telangiectasia and redness does not resolve or only partially improves.
In this scenario, Laser treatment can be used as a very effective treatment for the appearance of telangiectasia. Laser therapy is minimally invasive and is generally the most effective treatment for facial telangiectasia and broken capillaries. It is often the treatment of choice for the face and next but can be used to treat other parts of the body. The laser targets the red blood cells in the vessel and causes thermal injury in the tiny skin blood vessels causing the widened blood vessels to be sealed. This procedure does not cause much pain and has a short recovery time.
At LaserCare Dermatology we use q-switched NDYAG 1064nm, q-switched 532nm KTP and IPL to individualise your treatment to achieve consistent and excellent results for facial and neck telangiectasia/redness. And it some circumstances a Medicare rebate may apply to some treatments.
Life after treatment
After treatment, patients can resume their normal activity although they may have some mild increased flushed redness in the first 24hours. It is important to protect the treated areas from sunlight until the skin colour in that area has returned to normal.
You should gently cleanse the skin and apply a soothing ointment base in the unusual situation that blistering, crusting or scabbing is seen.
If your telangiectasias are due to an underlying condition such as rosacea, over time you may gradually develop new blood vessels. When this does occur, they can also be treated with subsequent laser.
Whilst, some causes of telangiectasia are not curable, regular treatment will get rid of any new telangiectasias that pop up. With proper treatment, especially for underlying conditions, a telangiectasia is treatable, and patients can lead a normal life.