Broken capillaries are permanently dilated vessels that won't resolve without treatment. IPL and vascular laser collapse them quickly, with no downtime.
get startedBroken capillaries (telangiectasias) are small, permanently dilated blood vessels that are visible near the skin surface, typically presenting as fine red, pink, or purple lines. They form when the walls of superficial capillaries lose elasticity and remain permanently dilated rather than contracting. They're not painful, not dangerous, and not self-resolving — they require targeted treatment to collapse and remove.
Patients come in about broken capillaries when they've become prominent enough to affect how the skin reads without makeup, or when they've developed across an area large enough that concealing them has become effortful.
Broken capillaries form when capillary walls lose the elasticity that allows them to contract normally.
UV damage: The primary driver. UV radiation degrades the collagen and elastin in capillary walls, reducing their ability to contract. Cumulative sun exposure is the most reliable predictor of broken capillary development over time.
Rosacea: Vascular dysregulation in rosacea causes repeated capillary dilation that eventually produces permanent enlargement. Broken capillaries are a hallmark feature of rosacea progression.
Temperature extremes: Repeated exposure to significant temperature changes — particularly extreme cold followed by heat — stresses capillary walls over time.
Genetic predisposition: Some patients have thinner, more fragile capillary walls by genetic makeup, making them more prone to visible vessels regardless of lifestyle factors.
Patients with broken capillaries typically describe:
Broken capillaries accumulate with age and UV exposure. Each year of unprotected sun exposure contributes further wall degradation. Patients with rosacea typically see progressive increase in visible vessels unless treated regularly with IPL.
Unlike sun spots, which can sometimes be partially managed topically, broken capillaries have no topical treatment that meaningfully addresses them. Early in-office treatment prevents the cumulative progression that makes the concern harder to address over time.
Broken capillaries require in-office treatment — topical products cannot restore vessel wall elasticity.
At CAMI, broken capillary treatment is efficient and predictable. IPL produces visible improvement within 1–3 sessions for most patients. We also address the underlying drivers — assessing rosacea when present and ensuring patients understand what maintenance looks like. Treated vessels don't return, but new ones form without UV protection. That conversation is part of every treatment plan.

Care guided by experience, precision, and a deep understanding of natural beauty.
get started