Blood vessels appear on the surface of the skin for many reasons, yet these visible red, purple or bluish lines pose cosmetic concerns for many people. At Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, board-certified dermatologist, Jill Waibel, MD, FAAD, treats blood vessels for men and women living around the world.
What are Blood Vessels?
“Blood vessels” encompasses the veins, arteries and capillaries in your skin. The purpose of these hollow tubes are to deliver blood from the heart to the tissues and then back to the heart. This process allows for your body to receive oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function and stay healthy. Most blood vessels are hidden in the skin, but some conditions such as aging or sun-damaged skin may cause the blood vessels to be visible on the surface of your skin. Treatment may not be medically necessary, but procedures for visible blood vessels have aesthetic benefits.
What Causes Visible Blood Vessels?
- Excess blood trapped inside the vessel
- Ruptures
- Weakening of vessel walls
- Rosacea
- Abnormalities
These conditions allow the blood to leak out of the vessels and into the surrounding tissues or the vein may swell to the point of being visible on the surface of the skin.
How are Visible Blood Vessels Treated?
The goal of treatment for visible blood vessels is to destroy the damaged structures. This alleviates the aesthetic concerns and promotes blood flow through healthy blood vessels. This may be achieved via sclerotherapy, laser treatments and other approaches.
