Dear Dr. Seckel, I have a couple tiny red dots that appear to be broken blood vessels near my nose, one on my cheek, a few on my chest, one on my hand, and another on my arm. I do get a lot of sun exposure but I have noticed that I am getting more over the years. They don’t hurt or bother me in anyway other than being unsightly but is there a way to remove them or treat them? Also, what causes them to appear in the first place? Juliana, Brooklyn, NY
Dear Juliana,
Small red spots or blood vessels on the face are called Telangiectasia. They may appear on the face of people with very fair skin at an early age.
However most commonly they appear as “broken blood vessels” after many years of sun exposure. The UV rays of the sun injure the skin and cause inflammation. When inflammation occurs the skin responds by forming new blood vessels to remove damage caused by the sun.
These blood vessels stay on the skin after the inflammation has occurred and are seen as red spots, telangiectasia or broken blood vessels.
Sun block is the most effective and important way to prevent these “broken blood vessels” from occurring.
For people with sensitive skin and a tendency toward Rosacea a topical cream called Proheal Serum made by IS, Innovative Skin Care, can help.
IPL or Photofacial light treatments can remove the red spots or telangiectasia.
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For more information on broken blood vessels and IPL read Save Your Face or contact me.
Thank you,
978-369-4499