Fall is finally in full swing, and besides putting on a comfortable pair of boots and going for a long hike (be sure to bring your favorite warm drink!) and a warm coat, there are a few other things to keep in mind before heading out.
While summer often hogs a great deal of attention when it comes to skin protection, there are some fall skincare tips that are absolute essentials – particularly when it comes to treating broken capillaries on one’s face.
What Are Broken Capillaries, Anyways?
As dermatologist Brian Hibler, MD, told InStyle: "Broken capillaries are enlarged blood vessels just below the skin surface," said Dr. Hibler. "They are most common on the face and lower legs."
Fellow dermatologist Sameer Bashey followed up on this explanation, suggesting that broken capillaries are often the result of sun damage, trauma, genetics, or simple aging.
“As this occurs, blood vessels become slightly more obvious and emerge close to the junction between the epidermis and the dermis,” Dr. Bashey concluded.
How To Treat (and Prevent) Broken Capillaries on Your Face
There are a number of ways to treat or prevent broken capillaries on your face, according to experts.
- Keep your skin moisturized (and avoid bad habits): As Byrdie detailed, proper moisturizing is the foundation of healthy skin. “Remember to moisturize and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption," esthetician Renee Rouleau told Byrdie. "When your skin becomes dry, it becomes irritated. By simply keeping moisture in the skin, you can keep the skin's moisture barrier strong to prevent the skin from getting easily sensitized and irritated."
- Retinoids and Vitamin A to the rescue: “... By stimulating collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and promoting the gradual fading of broken capillaries,” retinoids can reduce the appearance of the same, per Wilderman Medical Cosmetic Clinic. Consider Sente’s Bio Complete Serum, which incorporates slow-release retinoids and Vitamin A, as well as a patented repairing molecule – heparan sulfate analog – which boosts the skin’s immune response to inflammation while repairing from within.
- Anti-inflammatory products are key: Speaking of reducing inflammation, dermatologist Kristina Collins, MD, also told Byrdie that products achieving this result (and including niacinamide) are important in order to promote skin barrier repair. Sente’s Even Tone Retinol Cream includes both niacinamide and retinol, combining the best of both worlds to improve skin tone and texture.
- Bonus Tip: While it may not help to alleviate any existing signs of broken capillaries on your face, applying a quality high-SPF sunscreen can help to halt any further damage to your skin.
Sente’s Invisible Shield SPF 52 Tinted sunscreen may be just what the doctor – or dermatologist – ordered. An all-mineral tinted UV sunscreen which is ideal for sensitive or redness prone skin, this sunscreen ensures you’re covered for all seasons.
And remember: Damaging UV rays aren’t limited to sun exposure in the summer. Whenever it’s bright outside, and before night falls, a quality sunscreen is advised.
Other Fall Skincare Tips To Keep in Mind on the Subject
While specific skincare products can be used to alleviate or prevent the symptoms of broken capillaries on the face, there are a few other holistic options that can also lend a helping hand.
- Stay hydrated with a tall glass of cold water: It may sound simple, but it’s actually sage advice: Be sure to stay hydrated with cold water whenever possible. “Typically, when you drink an ice-cold drink, your blood vessels constrict, preventing dilation and redness. In other words, drink up,” Byrdie detailed.
- Avoid picking at or irritating your skin: Your skin is already quite sensitive, particularly near broken capillaries or other blemishes. It’s best to avoid adding further irritation into the mix by rubbing, scratching, or otherwise picking at these areas.
- Steer clear of hot water and heat more generally: Washing your face with hot water – and taking too-hot baths or spending time in a sauna – can aggravate symptoms. Use lukewarm water when washing up, and avoid temperatures that may cause your skin to dry out or present flare-ups of conditions such as rosacea.
Those suffering for significant broken capillaries may also consider treatments such as intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, laser therapy, or sclerotherapy as offered by accredited clinics.
