How to Reduce Redness From Broken Capillaries

Broken capillaries are associated with direct injury (resulting in a bruise) and with skin conditions like rosacea. They also occur more frequently with older age, as blood vessels become less elastic, and from sources of irritation or excessive strain on the vessels, such as hard rubbing or alcohol use. There are simple techniques to decrease the redness from many of these causes.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack and warm compress
• Water
• Gentle cleansers and moisturizer

Instructions

1. Decrease initial redness from a bruise or other irritation by applying ice to reduce swelling at the injured area.

2. After swelling is reduced, apply a warm compress to move blood through the vessels and away from the area of broken capillaries, reducing the discoloration at the injured site.

3. Decrease redness from capillaries broken as a result of excessive caffeine or alcohol by drinking more water in place of the dehydrating products.

4. Decrease redness from capillaries broken as a result of excessive abrasion by switching to gentle cleansers and moisturizers and by massaging them into the skin instead of rubbing them harshly. A switch to less-irritating products may also benefit older people whose capillaries break because of poor elasticity.

References

• Victorian Cosmetic Institute: Treatments for Rosacea and Facial Capillaries
• MayoClinic.com: Easy Bruising: Common As You Age