Facial Broken Capillaries

Hi:

I had open heart surgery at the beginning of the year. I am on many medications including blood thinners. I am a 55 year old male. I have been getting a lot of broken capillaries on my face. My internist said he wasn't sure if a dermatologist could help as most of the capillaries are very small and the lasers only work on the larger facial capillaries. I asked him about medicine and he wasn't sure.

I would appreciate if anyone has a suggestion.

Thank You!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These small capillaries are due to telangiectasia. They are small dilated blood vessels present under the skin especially on the face. It can be due to environmental changes, skin trauma, overuse of steroids, acne rosacea or venous hypertension. Laser treatment is the best option for telangiectasia.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[springer123]

My internest said the capalleries are too small to be taken away by a laser. So is there a topical medicine to help reduce it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Apart from laser treatment, if these are capillary telangiectasia, then photothermal coagulation with laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) is employed and if these are venous telangiectasia, sclerotherapy can be employed.

Please discuss these treatment modes with your dermatologist and check out the type of telangiectasia that you are having.

I hope it helps. take care and regards.

[springer123]

WIll do.