Vascular skin conditions are characterized by a slow and progressive disorder of the patient’s circulatory system, usually indicating a narrowing of the arteries, veins, and other lymphatic vessels that result in restricted blood flow. They occur mostly in the legs, but have also been known to affect other parts of the body as well.
Our practice treats various vascular conditions affecting the skin. Although there are many conditions that can affect the skin, vascular problems remain to be one of the most prevalent complaints among patients who develop symptoms of vascular related skin conditions that result from abnormalities for impaired functions of the blood vessels in the dermis, or lymphatic vessels in the subcutaneous layers.
Blood Vessel Redness
One of the most common vascular problems is facial redness, which may be caused by various conditions and these may include broken blood vessels or rosacea. When the tiny blood vessels on the face become broken, it results to a visible reddening of the skin on the affected areas.
What are the causes of blood vessels to turn red?
There are a number of conditions that can cause redness and broken blood vessels, these include:
Obesity – excessive weight gain could cause blood vessels to burst because they are not able to withstand the extra load
Hormonal changes – fluctuations in hormonal levels that usually occur during pregnancy, puberty, or menopause could result to the breakage of blood vessels
Pregnancy – in addition to the hormonal changes that occur during this stage, there is also a marked increase in blood flow that results in enlarged blood vessels and broken capillaries
Alcohol Intake – chronic alcoholism increases the patient’s blood pressure and causes the blood vessels to become enlarged.
Skin Damage – including sun damage, extreme temperature changes, and exposure to other harsh environmental factors can cause inevitable damage to facial skin and cause blood vessels to break
Family History – weakened blood vessels can be a result of genetic disposition or heredity.
How can redness/blood vessels be treated?
If broken blood vessels are the cause of the redness, then the condition can easily be treated with the help of the following procedures.
There are specially designed lasers that can eliminate the broken blood vessels in just one or two sessions. With laser treatment, the patient is required to have very minimal downtime and can usually go right back to resuming normal activities on the same day. This procedure is fast and comfortable, with a chilled tip that helps keep the skin cool during the procedure to minimize discomfort.
Drug regimens that include medicated creams that are used for shrinking enlarged blood vessels to prevent breakage may also be used to treat redness/blood vessels. Before a proper diagnosis is made, however, patients are advised to avoid using over-the-counter medicines to prevent possible complications.
Sclerotherapy involves the injection of the indicated blood vessels with a specialized solution that closes them off to effectively reroute blood flow to the healthier blood vessels.
If you have rosacea or broken blood vessels on your face, contact our office to learn about the available treatments.r
