Small, broken capillaries or blood vessels on the face are something that many people experience.
Capillaries are small and fine, part of the circulatory system that connect veins and arteries. Capillaries are fragile and can easily break. Broken capillaries, medically called telangiectasia, occur when the vessels become enlarged and dilated.
Broken capillaries are more prominent around your nose, cheeks and mouth.
While for some the problem is hereditary in nature, broken capillaries on your face can also occur due to extreme weather conditions, exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) sunrays, rosacea, or drinking too much alcohol. In some cases, sneezing or vomiting can cause the capillaries to pop.
While broken blood vessels or capillaries do not pose any health risk, they are unsightly and can give a red, blotchy appearance to your face.
There are many simple and effective home remedies for broken capillaries. These remedies help shrink the dilated capillaries and reduce the redness on your face.
Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of broken capillaries on your face.
1. Cold Compress
To reduce the redness and blotchy appearance on your face, you can apply a cold compress on the affected area.
The cold temperature helps contract the blood vessels underneath the skin, which restricts the extra blood flowing in the vessels, making them look thinner and normal. This in turn reduces the redness due to broken blood vessels or any other reason.
- Wrap some ice cubes in a thin towel.
- Gently rub the compress all over your face for 1 minute.
- Take a break for 10 minutes.
- Repeat again as needed.
You can also make a cold compress with chilled chamomile tea. Simply refrigerate the tea for 20 minutes, then soak a clean washcloth in it and place it on your face for a few minutes.
Caution: Do not apply ice directly on the skin, as it can damage the skin cells.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another good remedy to deal with the symptoms of broken capillaries on your face. Its anti-inflammatory nature can reduce the redness and swelling associated with broken capillaries.
Also, it helps keep the skin moisturized, which is important for healthy and even skin color.
- Massage your face with fresh aloe vera gel. Wait 30 minutes, then take your bath. Do this once daily.
- Cut an aloe vera leaf lengthwise and put it in a refrigerator for a couple of hours. Apply the chilled gel on the affected skin. Do this once daily before going to sleep.
3. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can help combat redness on the face due to broken capillaries. Witch hazel is high in tannins and volatile oils and even has astringent and anti-inflammatory effects.
It can constrict the blood vessels under the surface of your skin, which in turn minimizes the redness.
- Soak a cotton ball in some witch hazel extract.
- Dab it on the affected area.
- Wait 10 minutes, then rinse the skin with cool water.
- Repeat 2 or 3 times a day for a few days.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
You can also use apple cider vinegar to reduce the look of broken blood vessels on your face. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce skin redness associated with broken capillaries.
Always dilute apple cider vinegar before applying it on your skin.
- Dilute 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 3 tablespoons of water. Soak a cotton pad in it and apply it on the broken capillaries on your face. Leave it on for up to 15 minutes before rinsing it off. Repeat twice a day.
- Also, mix 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of raw honey into 1 cup of filtered water. Drink the mixture twice daily to help heal the blood capillaries from within.
5. Vitamin C and Lysine
Both vitamin C and the amino acid lysine are beneficial for skin health. Taking vitamin C and lysine can help reduce the appearance of broken blood vessels on your face.
Vitamin C in particular can help strengthen your blood vessels. A 2013 study published in Antioxidant & Redox Signaling reports that vitamin C plays an important role in circulation and keeping blood vessels healthy.
When combined with lysine, vitamin C helps blood vessels retain their elasticity and helps collagen form on the membrane of blood vessels.
- Some foods that are rich in Vitamin C include oranges, kale, red peppers, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit and guava. For lysine, you can eat foods like cheese, turkey, fish, shrimp, shellfish, beans, peas and lentils.
- You can opt to take vitamin C and lysine supplements, after consulting with your doctor to determine the correct dosage.
Also include nutrients like zinc, selenium, copper and vitamin K in your diet; a deficiency of these can make you susceptible to developing broken capillaries.
6. Arnica
Arnica is helpful for treating broken capillaries. Being a natural anti-inflammatory agent, arnica aids circulation and reduces the redness on your face.
It also helps keep the skin moisturized, which is important for healthy skin tone.
- Mix ½ cup of coconut oil and ¼ cup of dried arnica flowers in a jar.
- Put the lid on and keep the jar in a sunny place for 2 to 3 weeks.
- Strain out the arnica flowers.
- Apply the oil on the broken blood vessels and massage gently.
- Use it 2 or 3 times a day.
7. Parsley
Parsley is another good remedy to treat broken blood vessels on the face. It contains rutin, which helps strengthen the capillaries and in turn reduces the symptoms of broken capillaries.
It also contains a good amount of antioxidants that protect the skin from free-radical damage.
- Boil 3 parsley sprigs (chopped) in 1 pint of water for a couple of minutes.
- Remove it from the heat, cover and allow it to steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain the solution and add 1 drop each of rose and marigold essential oils.
- Mix well and put the solution in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Using a cotton ball, apply the chilled solution to the affected area.
- Do this 2 or 3 times a day.
Also, include parsley in your diet.
8. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil can also be used to cure broken blood vessels on your face. Its astringent properties help constrict the blood vessels under the surface of your skin, which in turn reduce the redness on your face.
It also works as a good moisturizer and helps maintain the skin’s natural elasticity.
- Massage a little grapeseed oil on your face in circular motions for 5 minutes. Repeat 2 or 3 times a day.
- Alternatively, mix a few drops of grapeseed oil in 1 tablespoon of whipped butter. Apply this paste on the affected skin for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water. Do it twice daily.
9. Butcher’s Broom
The herb butcher’s broom can also help reduce the appearance of broken capillaries on your face and improve your skin tone. This herb improves blood circulation and constricts veins due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-elastase activity.
It also helps moisturize your skin, providing for a brighter and more even skin tone.
- You can take 100 mg of butcher’s broom supplements 3 times a day. However, it is important to consult your doctor before starting any kind of supplement.
Caution: Do not take butcher’s broom if you have high blood pressure.
10. Horse Chestnut
The herb horse chestnut can also be used to improve the appearance of broken blood vessels.
The compound called aescin in horse chestnut promotes blood vessel health and prevents the vessels from breaking. Also, it has anti-inflammatory properties and helps improve circulation.
- Mix equal amounts of grapeseed oil and horse chestnut seed extract. Gently apply it on your face and leave it on overnight. The next morning, clean your face with a damp towel or rinse it off with cool water. Repeat daily.
- You can opt to take horse chestnut supplements. The most common dosage is 300 mg twice daily. However, consult your doctor before taking any supplements.
Caution: Pregnant or nursing women should not take horse chestnut.
Additional Tips
- Avoid washing your face too vigorously. Always be gentle while washing or pat drying your face.
- Protect your face from coming into direct contact with freezing cold or very hot air.
- Keep the thermostat steady at home to prevent the temperature in your house from rising or falling too much.
- Do not use excessively hot water for washing your face, as it can be damaging for the sensitive skin.
- Avoid exposing your skin to the sun and its harmful UV rays for too long.
- When going out in the sun, do not forget to apply sunscreen, irrespective of the weather conditions outside.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol. It can increase blood pressure and cause the capillaries to dilate.
- Vitamin A creams may be helpful for minimizing the appearance of broken capillaries, since the creams can boost collagen quantity and quality in the skin.
- Quit smoking. The harmful chemicals in the smoke can greatly damage your skin.
- Eat a balanced diet by incorporating more healthy fruits and vegetables.
- You can also massage vitamin E oil on the affected skin for 10 to 15 minutes twice daily.
- Introduce anticoagulants into your diet to fight blood clots in broken capillaries, which may become dangerous. Foods rich in anticoagulants are fish, nuts, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, paprika, licorice root and cayenne pepper.
- Always choose appropriate cosmetics and makeup products for your skin.
- Protect your skin from environmental damage.