Locations:
SearchAdvertisement
The short answer on telangiectasias from a dermatologist
A: When the teeny-tiny blood vessels on the surface of the skin are prominent, they’re called telangiectasias.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
The most common cause of telangiectasias is photoaging, aka aging related to sun exposure. Telangiectasias are also common among people with rosacea, liver disease, or connective tissue diseases like scleroderma, dermatomyositis and lupus. Chronic corticosteroid use and pregnancy can also promote their development.
Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of them at home. Your best bet to get rid of those telangiectasias — and the only real way — is by paying a visit to your dermatologist’s office. Make sure your dermatologist is taking patients due to COVID-19 and if so, practice social distancing and wear a mask to and from the appointment.
We treat telangiectasias with a vascular laser that specifically targets these vessels, heats them up and causes them to collapse. This doesn’t mean we’ve gotten rid of them, though. We’ve merely closed the blood vessels down and they can reopen.
We’re not talking about a one-time treatment, either. Telangiectasias would require laser therapy for three to four sessions every three to four months. After that, you would need a touch-up treatment every six months to one year as needed.
—Dermatologist Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Both can protect you from the sun’s rays, but they do it in different ways
Your skin tone determines if a sunburn becomes a suntan
Working with a therapist, staying active and practicing mindfulness are just a few ways to help manage stress
You can still get a tan (a sign of skin damage) while wearing sunscreen
Ice and ice-cold water can damage tissue, restrict blood flow and delay the healing process
Your skin care routine doesn’t need to be overly involved — or expensive
First-degree burns can benefit from cool water, moisturizer and nonstick bandages, but worse burns require medical intervention
Studies are mixed, but frequently wearing very tight, warm hats could stress your follicles and lead to hair loss
If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help
If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style
If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods
