Broken Blood Vessels – What They Are, Why They Happen & What You Can Do About Them

Deborah Berry
Jun 4
3 min read

Have you spotted a red, spidery mark on your face or body that refuses to fade—no matter what cream or serum you throw at it?It might not be a blemish or sunspot at all. That persistent little mark is likely a broken blood vessel, also known as a broken capillary—and it’s not as uncommon (or untreatable) as you might think.

What Are Broken Capillaries?

Despite the dramatic name, broken capillaries aren’t truly broken. They’re actually tiny blood vessels that have become stretched or weakened, creating a visible web-like appearance beneath the skin. These marks often resemble red blotches with fine, thread-like branches and are most common on the nose, cheeks, and chin—but they can pop up just about anywhere.

Why Do Broken Blood Vessels Happen?

The leading cause? Physical trauma to the skin.Your skin is delicate—whether you're squeezing a pimple, over-exfoliating, or having repeated abrasive treatments like microdermabrasion, you could be pushing your capillaries past their limit.

But trauma isn’t the only culprit:

Sun damage (hello, unprotected beach days )
Temperature extremes (hot showers, windburn, icy mornings)
Rosacea or generally reactive skin
Smoking (which narrows vessels and depletes collagen-producing vitamin C)
Genetics (some skin just runs on the sensitive side)
Alcohol (especially red wine—vasodilation in a glass)

The Vitamin C Connection

Vitamin C isn’t just your skin’s BFF—it’s the foundation for strong capillaries. Think of it this way:Vitamin C is to collagen what water is to plants.If you’re deficient, your capillaries are more prone to weakening, dilating, and eventually becoming visible. That’s why boosting your C intake—through diet, topical antioxidants like Vital 18 Antioxidant Serum, or gentle supplementation—can be game-changing.

We love the Solgar Ester-C Plus 1000mg because it’s pH neutral (perfect for those with sensitive tummies or absorption issues).

Can You Treat Broken Capillaries with Skincare?

Short answer? Not really.While calming, anti-inflammatory products (think niacinamide, green tea, or arnica) can reduce the appearance of redness, they won’t eliminate the vessel itself.

What they will do is:

Soothe inflamed skin
Minimize visible redness
Support your skin barrier so the issue doesn’t worsen

Our top topical for redness relief?Vital 18 Antioxidant Serum — packed with niacinamide and calming botanicals to help minimize flare-ups and protect your skin long-term.

The Real Fix? In-Clinic Treatments

There are two tried-and-true options that truly work:

1. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)Perfect for surface-level redness and spider veins. Quick, effective, and minimal downtime.

2. Laser Vein RemovalBest for deeper, more stubborn vessels. A bit more targeted and also a quick treatment.

Both treatments use heat to collapse the vessel, and while that may sound intense, most clients describe the sensation as mildly uncomfortable at worst. Aftercare is simple: some temporary redness or swelling (aka edema and erythema), a little darkening of the spot, and a return to your normal routine within a day.

Bonus: Mineral makeup can safely conceal any post-treatment darkening while healing.

The Real Truth Takeaway

Broken blood vessels are a sign that your skin (and capillaries) may need a little more TLC. But they’re not dangerous—and totally treatable.

At Skin Maven, we combine thoughtful skincare education with personalized treatment strategies to get you back to radiant, calm, even-toned skin.

Ready to say goodbye to red threads and hello to skin confidence? Contact me below: Email: deborah@theskinmaven.com

Text: 408-406-7241

Instagram DM: @skinmaven

Start today by scheduling your free broken capillary consultation.

Want to try something new? Check out my full skincare line here.

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