How to Get Rid of Broken Capillaries of the Face

How to treat, prevent, or even get rid of broken capillaries. Explore effective strategies to reduce their appearance and keep them at bay.

Source: Pixabay

DIY for Broken Capillaries of the Face

Broken capillaries are tiny blocked vessels that can appear at any age and are often impossible to get rid of unless caught early.

I first noticed mine on the bridge of my nose when I was in my 20s, which I put down to the heavy glasses I wore at the time due to nearsightedness, as well as aggressive acne treatments.

A further broken blood vessel appeared below my right eyebrow a couple of years later; laser therapy helped, but didn’t get rid of it completely.

So, it was obvious from an early age that I was prone to broken capillaries, which is why I’ve always taken measures to keep them at bay. A number of decades later, I haven’t developed any more, and the ones I do have are less prominent than they were back then.

In this post, I’ll tell you:

1. What exactly broken capillaries are and what causes them
2. How to prevent their onset (if you don’t yet have them)
3. How to reduce their appearance (if it’s too late)
4. How deep tissue facial massage could get rid of them completely

What Are Broken Capillaries ?

Broken capillaries of the face—also referred to as “broken blood vessels,” “dilated capillaries,” or “spider veins”—affect mostly the nose and cheeks, making you appear ruddy. They’re a symptom of rigid vessels that have become blocked. The correct term, however, is telangiectasia.

The condition is hereditary for many people, but even if it does run in the family, it needn’t be inevitable.

Causes of Broken Capillaries

Ironically, broken capillaries are often triggered by the very things with which we intend to improve or maintain our appearance, like dieting, facial scrubs, and saunas.

Tobacco consumption, alcohol, sun damage, sneezing, coughing, and vomiting may also be to blame.

Prevention

10 Things to Do to Prevent Broken Capillaries

1. Avoid all facial treatments that involve applying pressure. Mechanical exfoliation using scrubs and facial massage brushes, etc. is one of the most common causes of broken capillaries. Instead, use a chemical method—e.g., with alpha and beta hydroxy acids (I use The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution). Clay and “peel-off” facial masks may also trigger the condition.
2. Be gentle when cleansing your face; never rub or pull.
3. Wash your face with cold or lukewarm water—never hot.
4. Avoid saunas, steamy baths, and hot showers.
5. Protect your face in cold weather with a fatty, oil-based barrier cream.
6. Wear sunscreen.
7. Avoid heavy glasses, which, through pressure of weight, can cause broken capillaries of the nose.
8. Keep to a balanced diet, paying special attention to your intake of vitamins C, E, and B complex—consult a medical practitioner if in doubt.
9. Refrain from smoking.
10. Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Red wine in particular is renowned for causing broken capillaries.

Why Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Sadly, once broken capillaries appear, there’s often no simple way of getting rid of them. Even IPL (intense pulsed light) and laser treatments won’t help in severe cases. But there are creams and serums to prevent them getting worse, as well as cosmetics to make them less prominent, which are also suitable for men.

Source: The Neat and Tidy Man

How to Cover Broken Capillaries of the Face

Pigmented Cosmetics

Cosmetics can be useful for appointments where you want to make a good overall impression, like a job interview or date, but be aware that any product that is opaque enough to completely cover broken capillaries will be visible for all to see.

So forget makeup like tinted moisturizers, alphabet creams (BB, CC, DD), foundation, and concealer, which, regardless of how well you apply them, will be very obvious in the sun and under harsh lights.

Color Corrector

A green color corrector, sometimes referred to as “green concealer,” is another option less suitable for men—mostly because it shimmers green unless you cover it with a pigmented cosmetic like foundation.

How Color Corrector Works

If you want to try it anyway, let me tell you how it works and why choosing the right product isn’t easy.

According to color theory, red and green are complementary colors that neutralize one another when combined. So, from our perspective, the green should cancel out the red.

But because shades differ from brand to brand, finding the right green is often difficult.

Light green works for some, while others benefit from a darker color. And if your broken capillaries seem more purple than red, you most likely need a yellowish-green. If possible, collect product samples to find which works best for you.

How to Apply Color Corrector

Always apply as little corrector as possible, and only to the affected areas. It should be enough to do its job without shimmering through the pigmented cosmetic you’ll need to apply over it.

In my opinion, this is impractical for men. Instead of trying to completely cover broken capillaries, play them down.

Discreet Cosmetics

Look for perfecting balms like M. Asam’s Magic Care Perfect Teint or Magic Finish Perfect Me Transparent. They help play down facial imperfections such as broken capillaries and redness while remaining invisible.

Don’t worry about their largely female-oriented marketing; they work well on any complexion.

Another way to make broken capillaries less obvious is by darkening the skin slightly to reduce contrast.

Try CeraVe’s tinted mineral sunscreen with iron oxides, self-tanner, or—my favorite—a product like Pycnogenol serum by The Ordinary.

This is a dark, reddish‑brown liquid containing French maritime pine bark extract that adds a healthy glow while remaining undetectable. It’s so subtle that there’s no need to apply it to the neck, where it would stain collars. Just distribute it over the face and dome, then smear across your ears with your palms.

For improved skin texture, add a perfecting balm.

A further advantage of these products: they benefit skincare.

Cosmetic Treatments

Creams

Creams and serums to treat broken capillaries, which are sometimes labeled “anti-couperose,” contain secondary plant substances extracted from crowfoot and celandine. These stimulate circulation to keep capillary walls elastic and flexible.

Although such creams don’t serve to actually get rid of broken capillaries, they are an excellent preventative measure. Start using one at the first sign of visible vessels or if there’s a family history of the condition.

Retinoid Creams

Due to decreasing testosterone levels, the skin becomes thinner and drier as we age, thus more transparent. Consequently, broken capillaries become more prominent.

To remedy this, I was prescribed tretinoin, a vitamin A-based product referred to as a retinoid.

You’ve probably heard of it under the brand name Retin A.

Stimulating collagen production, tretinoin makes the skin appear thicker, causing it to lose its transparency. As a result, broken capillaries become less visible.

In most western countries, tretinoin is available by prescription only. I now use an over-the-counter preparation called A-Game, which contains a retinoid called retinal. So far, my broken capillaries remain unobtrusive

Cold Water

You may have heard that cold water can cause or worsen broken capillaries, but I’ve found the opposite to be true.

I’ve been showering and shaving with cold water for some time now and actually see an improvement. This is because cold temperatures keep blood vessels flexible. You’ll also notice that they’re less prominent after a cold shower. This is because the cold causes the vessels to constrict.

Myofascial Release: A Deep Tissue Massage

Although you should avoid applying pressure to the face if you’re prone to broken capillaries, myofascial release is an exception.

I began with this deep tissue massage after my laser treatment.

Like the plant-based creams and serums mentioned above, myofascial release stimulates circulation to keep capillary walls elastic, making it a good preventative measure. But, unlike creams and serums, it can get rid of broken capillaries completely as long as they’re not too prominent.

How to Self-Myofascial Release

Most cosmeticians should be able to administer facial myofascial release, but it’s just as effective if you do it yourself at home.

I self-myofascial release before going to bed. This is how it’s done:

1. Lubricate your face with moisturizer. I use my retinoid cream.
2. Spread your fingertips (excluding your thumbs) at either side of your nostrils and massage in a circular motion to the count of five. Apply minimal but firm pressure—your skin should appear white when you lift your fingers.
3. Now move your fingers up a fraction and massage again. By the time you reach the bridge of the nose and the area beneath the eyes, you should only be using two or three fingers.

That’s all there is to it. Massage four times a week for about ten minutes.

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I’ve been prone to broken capillaries since my twenties, yet decades later they’re still manageable. Keep things simple, stay consistent, and choose routines that work with your skin rather than against it.

© 2024 J. Richardson