Telangiectasia: Causes and Cosmetic Treatment

Telangiectasia is the medical term for a dilated blood vessel. Visible on even the healthiest of individuals, telangiectasias can be found anywhere on the skin but are most common on the face around the nose, cheeks and chin and the legs on the thighs just below the knees and ankles. Generally they are red, blue or purple.

Causes

There are a variety of congenital causes that include a variety of syndromes but many of the reasons that people come to suffer from telangiectasia are acquired.

Spider veins which appear on the legs are often caused by the following:

1. Age. The onset of these markings on the legs generally starts somewhere between the ages of 18 to 35 and reaches a pinnacle in the decade from 50 to 60.

2. Employment. Individuals who sit or stand for prolonged periods will have an increased risk, such as cab drivers and waiters.

3. Gender. Statistics show that females are generally affected at a four to one ratio to males.

Common causes of telangiectasia on the face may be slightly different:

Exposure to the elements. Too much of either the sun or the cold has been known to be a contributing factor.

Trauma to the skin, including surgical procedures and radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer.

Combined with the above, pregnancy and other hormonal changes can cause this condition.

Several minor diseases can also cause telangiecta, such as scleroderma, acne, rosacea and any one of a number of inherited disorders.

Treatment

Scleroptherapy is a procedure where the offending blood vessel is injected with foamed sclerosant drugs which close the feeder veins in the area thereby stopping the formation of any further telangiectasia. The solution works by causing a reaction in the vein wall that causes the vein to fade out. Many patients require at least two treatments.

Laser Vein Removal

Another popular option is laser spider vein removal. Advanced lasers such as the Lyra ND: Yag Laser or the Starlux 500, target the dilated blood vessel and heats the blood within the offending vein so that the walls collapse. The offending vein then eventually disappears.

More Information

Learning Centre

Complexion Problems
Common skin problems
Melanin and Pigmentation
Keratosis Pilaris
Rosacea
Eczema
Spider Veins
Dilated Veins
All About Stretch marks

Acne
A Brief Overview
More Information
Acne Cosmetica
Acne Coverup
Laser Acne Removal

Skincare and Treatments
Microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion
A Brief History of Chemical Peels
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Skincare Ingredients
Taking Care of Problem Skin
Pores

Other
Body Odour

Tattoos
A Brief History of Tattoos
Technical Tattoo Information
Common Reasons to Remove Tattoos

The Sun
Sun and Skin
Sunscreen and Sunblock