Dilated Capillaries

Small, visible blood vessels near the skin's surface, often on the cheeks or around the nose.

Dilated capillaries, sometimes called broken capillaries or telangiectasia, are small blood vessels that have become permanently widened and visible near the skin’s surface, usually on the cheeks, nose or chin.

Why they happen

Sun damage, extremes of temperature, genetics, rosacea and general skin ageing can all weaken the walls of small blood vessels over time, causing them to stay dilated rather than contracting back to their normal size. Once a capillary has widened this way, it generally doesn’t resolve on its own.

What treatment can do

Laser-based capillary reduction treatments target these vessels directly, and can visibly reduce their appearance over a course of sessions. This is a cosmetic improvement rather than a cure, since new capillaries can still form over time, particularly with continued sun exposure or other triggers. Daily sun protection helps limit new ones from developing.

Suitability

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for capillary reduction treatment, and suitability depends on skin type, the specific vessels involved and overall skin condition. A consultation is the appropriate way to find out whether treatment is likely to help in your specific case.

Tropical North Queensland context

Heat causes blood vessels to dilate, so Cairns' warm climate can make existing dilated capillaries more noticeable day-to-day, particularly after sun exposure or exercise.