Facial Redness & Vascular

Facial Redness, Capillaries & Rosacea 

Red cheeks or visible blood vessels maybe a result of chronic environmental damage (usually sun), trauma (accidental or surgical), or could be a sign of a medical condition called rosacea.

Rosacea is characterised by redness of the face, especially the cheeks and nose. The cause of rosacea is unknown, and it is frequently associated with acne pustules, in a condition called acne rosacea. Sufferers of this condition appear constantly red on the face, with visible broken capillaries.

Facial capillaries and redness can be effectively removed or significantly reduced with a combination of vascular Laser and IPL treatments. Light based treatments of this type work on the principle of a short pulse of intense light being delivered to the skin to selectively heat up the underlying blood vessels without burning the skin surface. This is achieved by using a wavelength or combination of wavelengths of laser light that are strongly absorbed by the red haemoglobin in the red blood cells. This results in shrinkage of the blood vessels with minimal damage to the surrounding skin.

At East Coast Laser & Cosmedic our Cutera Vascular laser (Nd:Yag 1064nm) is the treatment of choice for red blemishes such as redness of the face, neck and chest, rosacea, broken capillaries, spider naevi, and angiomas. 

A course of one to four treatments with the vascular laser is used to reduce the visible capillaries particularly on the nose, cheeks and chin. This can then be followed by further IPL treatment to treat any background redness.

A Medicare rebate may apply for the treatment of red blemishes on the face or neck that are visible from 3 meters after consultation with our In-clinic Doctor

This treatment is suitable for a variety of patients, including men and women, as well as light, tanned and dark skin.

The number of treatments can vary from patient to patient. This will depend on the colour and number of the vessels that are being treated.

• Laser Full Face $300
• Cheeks only $150

What causes broken capillaries?

Capillaries are the tiny blood vessels just below the surface of the skin. They are extremely fragile, easily damaged and, until recently, difficult to repair.  As we age, they sometimes appear around the nose, cheeks and chin.  Whether caused by heredity or excessive exposure to sun and wind, their appearance can be aggravated by environmental factors such as spicy food, wine or exercise, or by emotional responses.

How can laser treatment help?

Heat from the laser, applied directly to the affected area, breaks down the already damaged walls of the capillaries, causing them to collapse in on themselves.  The destroyed capillaries are then reabsorbed by the body, disappearing entirely.  The laser affects only the red area, leaving normal surrounding tissue unaffected.

What results can I expect?

1-4   treatments may be required depending on client requirements.

Does vascular laser therapy hurt?

Clients report this treatment as relatively pain free according to individual pain thresholds. It has been described as feeling like an elastic band snapping against the skin. This non-invasive, safe treatment may induce some redness for a day and/or some minor swelling for up to three days.