Laser capillary removal at a glance
- What is treated: dilated capillaries on the face – cheeks, sides of the nose and chin – and fine telangiectasias
- Technology: Nd:YAG laser on the Fotona platform, with skin cooling throughout the treatment
- Treatment time: around 15-30 minutes, depending on the area
- Recovery: short; temporary redness, mild swelling or fine scabs may occur and settle over the following days
- Number of treatments: most often 1-4, spaced about six weeks apart
- Price: charged per treated area – view our price list
Dilated capillaries: why do they appear?
Fine, dilated blood vessels visible through the skin are called telangiectasias. They most often appear on the cheeks, the sides of the nose and the chin. Contributing factors include an inherited predisposition, years of sun exposure, frequent temperature changes, and chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea – read more on the page about rosacea and capillaries.
Once dilated, a capillary does not recede on its own, and cosmetic products can soften the accompanying redness but cannot remove the vessel itself. Lasting removal of visible capillaries is most often performed with a laser.
How does the Nd:YAG laser remove capillaries?
The Nd:YAG laser emits light at a wavelength selectively absorbed by haemoglobin in the blood inside the dilated vessel. The absorbed energy converts to heat, the vessel wall coagulates and closes, and the body gradually breaks the closed vessel down over the following weeks. Because the laser beam selectively targets the blood vessel, the surrounding skin is spared.
An integrated skin-cooling system is used throughout the treatment, protecting the surface and making the procedure more comfortable. At the ESTERA clinic, laser capillary correction is performed with the Nd:YAG laser on the Fotona platform.
Cherry angiomas and spider naevi (up to 3 mm)
Besides dilated facial capillaries, we also use the Nd:YAG laser to remove individual red dots on the skin (cherry angiomas) and small spider naevi, up to a few millimetres across, outside the eye area. The principle is the same as with capillaries: the laser beam selectively heats the blood vessel, which closes and is gradually broken down by the body – usually in one to two sessions. Larger, deeper or unclear lesions are assessed first; if something is not suitable for laser treatment, we will tell you and refer you on.
What does the treatment involve?
At the consultation, the number, size and distribution of the capillaries are assessed and a plan is agreed. The skin is cleansed beforehand, and both you and the doctor wear protective eyewear. As the laser passes over the skin you feel brief warmth and a mild stinging, which the skin cooling softens. The treatment itself usually takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the area.
Who is it for, and when is it postponed?
The treatment is intended for healthy adults with visible facial capillaries and realistic expectations. It is postponed in the case of an active skin infection or inflammation in the treatment area, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and on freshly tanned skin – sun exposure should be avoided beforehand. Tell the doctor about any medicines you take regularly, especially those that increase light sensitivity.
Recovery and aftercare
Recovery is short. Temporary redness and mild swelling may occur, and fine scabs sometimes form over larger vessels, settling over the following days. Scabs should not be picked. Regular high-factor sun protection is recommended, along with avoiding saunas, sunbeds and intense training for the first few days.
How many treatments are needed?
Fine capillaries often disappear after a single treatment, while denser changes and larger areas usually call for 1-4 treatments spaced about six weeks apart, which is the time the skin needs to recover. A closed vessel does not reopen, but new capillaries can appear over time in predisposed individuals, in which case a touch-up is performed.
How much does laser capillary removal cost?
The price is set per treated area. See our treatment price list for current prices; the exact number of areas and treatments is assessed at the examination.
Frequently asked questions about laser capillary removal
Is laser capillary removal painful?
Most patients describe brief warmth and a mild stinging. The skin is cooled throughout, so the procedure is well tolerated and requires no anaesthesia.
Can removed capillaries come back?
A closed vessel does not reopen. In predisposed individuals, new capillaries may appear elsewhere over time, in which case a touch-up treatment is performed.
When is the result visible?
Fine capillaries disappear during the treatment itself, while larger ones first darken and then gradually fade over the following weeks.
Does the laser damage the skin?
Nd:YAG laser light acts selectively on the haemoglobin in the vessel, so with correctly chosen parameters the surrounding skin is spared.
How many treatments are needed?
Most often 1-4 treatments spaced about six weeks apart, depending on the number and size of the capillaries.
Read more
- Rosacea and capillaries: when redness needs treatment
- Fotona4D laser lifting: skin tightening without needles
- Fotona SmoothEye: laser eyelid tightening
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