Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels – their diameter is only between 4 and 40µm, but they are an essential part of the circulatory system. It is they that form the periphery of the general arterial system, supplying every cell in our tissues with oxygen and nutrients. Despite being so small in size, capillaries can cause serious aesthetic concerns if they become enlarged or burst.
In medicine, the anomaly of dilated or broken capillaries is also met with the term couperose. This condition causes particular discomfort when its signs are localized on the face. In the following lines, we will take a closer look at the causes of its occurrence and modern treatments with the best results for each.
Haemangiomas are benign tumour growths originating from blood vessels. The neoplasms grow slowly or do not grow at all. They are easily affected by treatment and have a good prognosis. 'Vascular stars' are often solitary and not associated with any other disease. They consist of one or several capillaries and multiple branches and therefore take the shape of asterisks or spider webs. Hemangiomas and vascular stars are treated with the Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser. They often respond after the first procedure. The therapy lasts a short time and does not cause any discomfort. There is rarely a recovery period. It is necessary to use an appropriate sunscreen according to the skin type after the procedure.
Telangiectasias are permanently dilated capillaries of the skin. They are of the linear type, and what is specific about them is that they form reticular structures. They are formed on the exposed parts of the body during intense sun exposure or are a manifestation of a skin disease. They are affected by Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser therapy. Repeated treatments are often necessary. It is important to have a break of at least 3-4 weeks between treatments.
Vascular malformations are benign, red to dark purple hemispherical vascular growths of the skin. They are rarely solitary. They are highly noticeable because they are made up of multiple dilated capillaries over a wide area and increase in size and number with advancing age, which can significantly lower the self-esteem of the affected person. Thanks to modern laser beauty therapies, their removal becomes painless and easy. They are treated with Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser. Repeated treatments are often necessary, with treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart.
IPL is one of the latest innovations in the effective treatment of various skin imperfections. Recently, specialists have also been highly recommending it for dilated capillaries - both on the face and all over the body. It is a classical phototherapy, i.e. its action is based on light and heat energy directed by a high-tech device. Usually the device has enough modes and intensity levels to be used selectively only on the affected area. Treatment with an IPL device does not damage the dermis. Instead, the light beam is directed directly at the deformed capillary, which absorbs the energy. Accompanied by a slight sensation of heat, the blood vessel begins to coagulate and decompose. The result is a permanent breakdown of the capillary pigment created or the visible redness causing the aesthetic discomfort of the dilation/rupture. The advantage of IPL therapy for facial capillaries is that it is painless and safe, but other than that, usually only one treatment is required. In most cases, the effect is immediately noticeable, but it develops over time to allow the redness to fade completely.
Dilated and broken capillaries can appear not only on the face, but also on the whole body. Usually they are not a cause of discomfort because they are not noticeable when they are localized in different places, that is, they are distant from each other. However, in the case of densely located dilated or burst capillaries, the already mentioned vascular stars are formed. These appear mostly on the limbs and especially often on the legs. The aesthetic problem occurs when several stars are densely spaced next to each other, as well as with very pale skin.
Treatment of capillaries on the legs or other parts of the body is similar to facial approaches. There are no risks or contraindications, they are not accompanied by any pain or long recovery period. The procedures proceed in an identical manner. The same is true for the follow-up prophylaxis recommended by an expert when needed.
Rosacea is not a spontaneously occurring skin imperfection due to mechanical impact. It is a disease that is categorized as chronic. It is pro-inflammatory in nature and also manifests itself in dilation of blood vessels. Its typical manifestation is severe redness on the face.
There are four main types of rosacea. They have a similar clinical picture, but have certain differences in the degree of redness, the areas affected and additional signs – such as the fine pimples resembling acne. There are patients who develop more than one type of rosacea.
There is no treatment that can permanently cure rosacea. However, modern aesthetic medicine has already established quite a few effective methods for relieving its symptoms, including the superficial removal of unaesthetic redness. Depending on the way the blood vessels are damaged, as well as their location on the face, the specialist chooses the appropriate method, and it is especially important to follow the recommendations for subsequent prophylaxis.
Gentle Max Pro Plus / Cynosure Elite+
Gentle Max Pro Plus and Cynosure Elite+ are laser technologies that have been successfully applied to a wide range of aesthetic procedures. They are equally effective for hair removal and for removing skin imperfections. What is specific about them is that they combine an alexandrite 755 nm laser and an Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser in one platform, i.e. they have the proven advantages of both types of technology.
The reason the Gentle Max Pro Plus and Cynosure Elite+ are so often chosen for rosacea treatment is that the devices can be applied to any skin type. It is well known that the chronic condition of rosacea is often cited as a contraindication to a wide range of aesthetic cosmetic treatments, including those based on laser technology, but fortunately for patients, not in this case. Gentle Max Pro Plus and Cynosure Elite+ are particularly effective for vascular defects and malformations such as dilated capillaries, which actually occur in rosacea.
Lumenis Stellar M22 / Lumecca IPL
The Lumenis Stellar M22 and Lumecca IPL are some of the newest additions to the laser industry for treating aesthetic and medical concerns. To date, they have been successfully applied to more than 30 different types of dermatological conditions, including rosacea.
Lumenis Stellar M22 and Lumecca IPL operate on the principle of super-intense pulsed light. However, the beam does not damage the dermis and its effect is completely safe even for sensitive and reactive skin, as rosacea patients usually have. The Lumenis Stellar M22 and Lumecca IPL treatments are suitable for relieving all types of redness and pigmentation, because the light flashes of the devices have a therapeutic effect on the capillary damage itself.
This is why the Lumenis Stellar M22 and Lumecca IPL are considered to be one of the optimal means of putting the disease into remission. Traditionally, a minimum of 4-6 IPL treatments are administered, and it is important to have a rest period of about one month in between.
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