Broken capillaries are recognised as spider veins. These are tiny, pronounced blood vessels that you can see close to the skin’s surface. They may appear red, blue, or purple in colour, possibly on the face, nose, and legs.
However, these are harmless and painless. But many people prefer its aesthetic treatment for cosmetic reasons, especially when these veins become more pronounced. Several treatments are available these days to minimise this condition, which range from sclerotherapy to advanced laser treatment.
However, these advanced treatments are effective. But the risk is always there. So, it’s necessary to understand the potential side effects of broken capillaries treatments. Let’s start with why broken capillaries need treatment.
Why Treat Broken Capillaries?
Although it’s not a severe condition, broken capillaries may indicate poor circulation. It can be considered as vascular weakness, especially in the legs. Its treatment can improve the appearance while preventing its worsening over time. Its worst case can be the one when it accompanies larger venous issues. A varicose veins specialist is required in this case to treat it well and carry out a broader strategy to effectively manage circulatory health.
Common Treatments for Broken Capillaries
As multiple treatments have been evolved, a few most popular ones are the following:
- Laser Therapy (Advanced Laser Treatment): It harnesses light energy to collapse and seal the affected vein.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): This is a little like lasers, but it uses a broader spectrum of light to collapse defective capillaries.
- Sclerotherapy: This is an injectable treatment that is penetrated the vein to collapse it.
- Electrocoagulation: Electric current may be required to shut off the broken capillaries.
These methods to treat spider veins are found successful, particularly when an experienced professional uses modern technologies.
Potential Risks
However, these treatments are not fully risk-free, which makes it necessary to discover potential risks or side effects.
1. Redness and Irritation
The laser or IPL treatment leaves redness, warm, and swollen surface in the treated area. This condition is normal, as it’s a natural response of the body. The inflammation subsides within a few hours to a few days. Mild itchiness or irritation may be observed, particularly with IPL. It is our body’s response to the thermal energy that is used during the procedure. But slight tingling is real if it is the case of a sensitive skin or rosacea.
2. Bruising and Swelling
Sclerotherapy or advanced laser procedure certainly leaves its mark, which can be recognised as bruising in the legs where veins are larger and more prone to pressure. However, bruises will be minor and fade within one or two days.
Swelling may accompany bruising, particularly in the case where multiple capillaries were addressed within a session. Doctors use cold compresses and suggest rest to minimise these effects.
3. Pigmentation Changes
Hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (light spots) in the treated area may emerge after the treatment. These changes can be seen when the thermal or chemical components affect melanin production.
People with darker skin tones are prone to pigmentation, which may be more pronounced or last longer. A varicose veins specialist will recommend patch testing or lasers with specific wavelengths, so the patient won’t have the fear of this risk.
4. Blistering or Burns
Blistering or burn is barely seen, but laser or IPL treatments may cause it. This risk is obvious if the device is improperly used or, the settings are too aggressive for the sensitive skin type. These side effects can end up in scabbing, or temporary scarring.
So, you may opt in advanced laser treatment, which is an FDA-approved technology. A licenced provider or vein specialist should be considered for this treatment, as he or she knows the right laser settings or cooling techniques. This is how one can avoid likelihood of burns.
5. Scarring
Now comes scarring, which is indeed uncommon. It can be the case when the skin reacts or an infection occurs right after a vein treatment, such as sclerotherapy. These scars may be raised, indented, or pigmented.
Patients with a history of keloid formation or slow wound healing should share it with the doctor in the beginning of this treatment. It may put the patient in dilemma whether to opt in a particular method or technology.
6. Pain or Discomfort
If evaluated, most procedures to treat broken capillaries are minimally invasive or relatively painless. But still, a few patients may not feel easy or may experience mild discomfort like tingling, or a slight burning sensation during or after the procedure.
However, local anesthesia or cooling devices make this procedure comfortable. As far as the injections during sclerotherapy is concerned, it might be like stinging sensation. But eventually, it feels like nothing has happened, and pain becomes manageable.
7. Infection Risk
Minimally invasive procedures like sclerotherapy and electrocoagulation are risky because they break the skin. Although this is a rare case, infection may hit when the post-treatment care is not provided carefully. Similarly, unclean conditions may also attract this risk.
This risk can be averted by following post-care instructions carefully. Keep the area clean. Do not scratch. Keep makeup or topical products away until the microinjury heals.
8. Allergic Reactions
Sclerotherapy is conducted by injecting a solution into the vein, which can invite allergens to cause allergic reactions. This is again rarely seen, but possibility says that it may happen. You can recognise it from minor irritation to more serious systematic responses.
Also, your doctor must know about any allergies or sensitivities if you have. So, talk to your doctor before undergoing any procedure. He or she may start with a patch test beforehand.
9. Temporary Worsening Before Improvement
Therapies like sclerotherapy or laser may turn your skin worse before looking better. The skin might become darker or more visible right after the treatment following the procedure. This reaction is temporary and hence, indicates that the vein is closing. Eventually, it will fade away.
How to Minimize Risks
Many risks can be averted with a few simple strategies:
- Prefer a certified varicose veins specialist with experience in cosmetic varicose procedure over any other physician.
- Advanced and safe laser treatment technologies like Nd: YAG or pulsed dye laser should consider primarily.
- Follow pre-and post-procedure care, such as avoid sun exposure, and keep the area clean.
- Don’t shy, but communicate with your doctor openly disclosing your medical history, skin sensitivity, and treatment goals.
Conclusion
In essence, there are multiple challenges associated with broken capillaries. Generally, these effects are mild, temporary, and preventable provided the doctor is experienced. So, it is always a safe choice to consult with a vein specialist.
Salman Zafar is the Founder of Health Loops. He is a professional blogger and content creator with expertise across different subjects, including health, environment, tech, business, marketing and much more
