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Broken Blood Vessels

Broken blood vessels, medically known as telangiectasias, are small, dilated vessels just beneath the skin. Although they are not actually broken, they become wide enough to appear as thin red, blue, or purple lines, sometimes forming patterns that resemble spider webs. On the face, they commonly cluster around the nose, cheeks, and chin. Facial telangiectasias are harmless and almost entirely a cosmetic concern. Cumulative sun exposure is the most common cause, while rosacea, aging, hormonal changes, and genetics account for much of the rest. At Wall Street Dermatology, treatment uses the Vbeam pulsed dye laser. Its light is absorbed by the blood inside the vessel, causing the vessel to collapse before the body reabsorbs it over the following weeks. A session takes 10 to 30 minutes with eye shields in place. Afterward, the skin is iced and a topical steroid is applied. Recovery ranges from five to 21 days, and results generally become visible within a few weeks to a month. Pulsed dye laser is not appropriate for every skin tone, so Dr. Julia Tzu assesses complexion before treatment.

5 min read·Last updated: 2026-02-08·Reviewed by Dr. Julia Tzu, MD, FAAD, FACMS

At a Glance

  • Spider veins (telangiectasias) are damaged blood vessels just beneath the skin that appear red, blue, or purple[1]
  • Laser treatment for facial telangiectasias typically requires 2-4 sessions every 5 weeks[2]
  • Treated blood vessels can reopen, requiring maintenance treatments every 6-12 months[2]
  • Sun damage (photoaging) is the most common cause of facial spider veins[2]

What are the symptoms of Broken Blood Vessels?

  • Thin red, blue, or purple visible lines on skin
  • Spider web or tree branch-like patterns
  • Clusters of small visible blood vessels
  • Flat or slightly raised appearance
  • Usually painless
  • May become more noticeable with temperature changes
  • Can appear anywhere but common on face, nose, cheeks

When should you seek care for Broken Blood Vessels?

  • Visible red or purple vessels on the face that bother you cosmetically
  • More than about three new angiomas appearing
  • Associated symptoms such as frequent nosebleeds
  • Vessels appearing alongside flushing or persistent facial redness, which may point to rosacea underneath
  • Vessels accompanied by other skin changes
  • Uncertainty about whether the spots need evaluation
  • Interest in laser treatment, which requires assessment of complexion first, as pulsed dye laser is unsuitable for darker skin tones
  • Any active skin infection, cold sore in the area, current blood-thinner use, or recent isotretinoin, all of which affect timing

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What causes Broken Blood Vessels?

  • Sun damage and UV exposure (photoaging)
  • Rosacea
  • Natural aging and skin thinning
  • Hormonal changes
  • Pregnancy
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Trauma or injury to skin
  • Chronic alcohol use
  • Connective tissue disorders
  • Overuse of topical steroids

How are Broken Blood Vessels treated?

We offer a service to help manage this condition: Laser Treatment.

Prognosis

  • Telangiectasias are benign and harmless
  • Laser treatment typically requires 2-4 sessions
  • Treated vessels may reopen over time
  • Maintenance treatments may be needed every 6-12 months
  • New vessels can form without sun protection
  • Underlying conditions (rosacea) may require ongoing management

Frequently Asked Questions

What are broken blood vessels on the face?
Broken blood vessels, or telangiectasias, are dilated capillaries that show through the skin as thin red, blue, or purple lines. They often form spider web-like patterns around the nose, cheeks, and chin. Despite the name, the vessels are not broken. They are widened and visible. They are harmless but may be cosmetically bothersome.
What causes broken blood vessels on the face?
Sun damage is the most common cause. Other factors include rosacea, natural aging, hormonal changes, pregnancy, genetics, skin trauma, alcohol use, and certain medications. Fair skin and chronic sun exposure also increase the likelihood of developing visible facial vessels.
When should I see a dermatologist about broken blood vessels?
See a dermatologist if the vessels bother you cosmetically, if you develop more than three spider angiomas, if they occur with symptoms such as frequent nosebleeds, or if you are uncertain whether the spots need evaluation. More than three new spider angiomas may indicate an underlying condition.
How are broken blood vessels on the face treated?
Laser therapy is the primary treatment for facial telangiectasias. The laser creates heat that destroys the visible vessels. Treatment typically involves 2-4 sessions every 5 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments every 6-12 months as needed. Intense pulsed light, or IPL, is another treatment option.
Is treatment for broken blood vessels permanent?
Treatment closes the visible vessels, but they can reopen and new vessels can form. Most patients need maintenance treatments every 6-12 months. Consistent sun protection helps prevent new vessels from forming and extends treatment results.
Can broken blood vessels be prevented?
Not all broken blood vessels can be prevented, but risk may be reduced by protecting the skin from sun exposure with SPF 30+ sunscreen and hats, limiting alcohol, avoiding harsh skin products, maintaining a healthy weight, and not overusing topical steroids.
How does the Vbeam laser clear a visible vessel?
The Vbeam pulsed dye laser emits light that is absorbed by the blood inside the vessel. That energy creates heat that destroys the visible vessel, causing it to collapse and disintegrate. The body then reabsorbs it over the following weeks, reducing its visibility.
Does Vbeam treatment hurt, and what is recovery like?
Most patients describe each pulse as feeling like a rubber band snapping against the skin. The procedure is generally well tolerated without anesthesia. Afterward, the skin is iced and a topical steroid is applied. Recovery takes five to 21 days depending on the settings and treatment area. Temporary redness or bruising may occur, and makeup covers it once the skin has healed.
Is pulsed dye laser suitable for every skin tone?
No. Darker skin tones carry a higher risk of hyperpigmentation in the treated area, and a darker complexion is considered unsuitable for this treatment at Wall Street Dermatology. Dr. Julia Tzu therefore assesses complexion before a session is booked.
Do treated vessels come back?
Treated vessels can reopen over time, and most patients need maintenance treatment every six to twelve months. New vessels can also form because the factors that produced the original vessels may still be present, including continued sun exposure, untreated rosacea, or a genetic tendency. Daily sun protection and management of an underlying condition help stretch the interval between sessions.

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Sources & References

This article draws from 3 peer-reviewed sources.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Julia Tzu, MD, FAAD, FACMS · Last reviewed: 2026-08-31