Broken Capillaries

Broken capillaries on the face, the nose, cheeks and chin, or the lower legs are due to both genetic and lifestyle factors. On the face, broken capillaries are often the result of sun and wind exposure, alcohol consumption, and facial extractions, in combination with aging. With the lower extremities, sitting in a cross-legged position, extended plane travel, long car trips and pregnancy greatly increase the chance of unsightly broken blood vessels. Spider hemangiomas and cherry angiomas (red moles) are also vascular malformations which increase in pregnancy and aging. Genetic factors, like Rosacea, also play a role in the development of broken vessels of the face and can cause skin changes that increase the likelihood of developing broken capillaries. These unsightly capillaries become more pronounced with age and after pregnancy. Fortunately, they are primarily cosmetic in nature.

Using a combination of lasers & injections Dr. Christine Brozowski is able to remove most capillaries and broken vessels of the nose and face. Dr. Brozowski has extensive experience with laser sclerotherapy * and is one of the only physicians in the East Bay to have a laser especially designed to ablate facial capillaries, or telangectasias. Superficial leg veins are more challenging to treat, and often need a combination of modalities, including Asclera injections and laser therapy.

Please call us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brozowski either in our Berkeley, California or Ketchum, Idaho offices to find out if you are a candidate for treatment of your facial capillaries and leg veins.

*From 1/1/05-11/1/19 Dr. Brozowski performed over 2,000 individual laser sclerotherapy procedures.

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Q&A

Will I notice an immediate improvement after the laser treatment?

Once the redness subsides, you will notice an immediate resolution of the broken capillaries of the nose and face. Vessels on the leg take longer to resolve, and benefit from wearing support stockings for 3 days after the treatment.

How does the capillary repair treatment done at your office compare with other treatments elsewhere?

Dr. Brozowski performs all aesthetic procedures herself, unlike other practices which pass you off to nurses or technicians. Our sclerotherapy laser treatment is especially designed to repair broken capillaries without injections to the face. Additionally, we use a combination of two lasers, one which ablates red vessels, and the other which ablates purple and blue vessels, and Asclera injections to address the more recalcitrant vessels of the lower extremities.

What is the level of discomfort during and after the treatment?

The discomfort is modest compared to other types of laser treatments. Most patients tolerate the procedure easily without any pain medication. If desired, you may take Tylenol prior to your procedure, however. Immediately after the treatment, you can expect a slight redness and swelling, which is a normal result of the laser treatment. The discomfort is only temporary and generally disappears in a few days. The use of aloe and ice facilitates recovery. Patients are able to continue their daily routine after the laser session and can return to work immediately. 

How long will the procedure take?

Restoring your skin to its former complexion is quick and easy.  While mutliple sessions may be necessary, each session lasts less than 15 minutes.

How should I take care of my skin after the treatment?

Immediately after your treatment, we apply chilled aloe to your skin and give you a soft fabric ice pack to use throughout the day, which reduces inflammation and speeds your recovery. For follow-up skincare, we recommend a mild cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen to protect your results and prevent the recurrence of unsightly broken capillaries. Our staff will be happy to show you products that will maximize your recovery and protect your investment in yourself.

Please call us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Christine Brozowski in either of our offices to evaluate your skin for laser sclerotherapy in North Berkeley, CA or Ketchum, ID.