CAN I GET RI D OF THE RED MARKS ON MY FACE?

Pesky red lines and broken veins (known as telangiectasia) or a flushed appearance (rosacea) are skin conditions that a large number of us have to deal with. We’ve consulted the experts to enlist help on keeping these unwelcome facial features at bay.

Stay away from harsh treatments

“Thread veins are actually very easy to treat and require minimal downtime,” says Andrea Pfeffer, founder of luxury facial salon Pfeffer Sal. “For fairer skin, IPL (intense pulse light therapy) is the easiest way to remove thread veins around the nose and cheeks. Light is absorbed by the haemoglobin in the vessels, which heats up and causes the vessel to coagulate and collapse. The body naturally removes the collapsed veins over a few days. Electrolysis does a similar thing using an electrical current and this can be focused on more specific areas. If you are prone to thread veins, stay away from abrasive scrubs, harsh treatments such as microdermabrasion, and aggressive exfoliators.”

Prevention is better than a cure

“Broken capillaries are predominantly caused by UV damage, which causes our skin to become hyper-sensitive,” says facialist Kate Kerr. “Tiny blood vessels close to the skin’s surface dilate and constrict too quickly, leading to tearing and visible marks. The main goal is to strengthen the capillary walls and ensure the skin’s barrier is intact to provide sufficient protection. I’d highly recommend the Synchrorose range from SkinMed. Specifically formulated for rosacea, it helps to protect the blood vessels and improves their ability to contract without causing permanent damage. SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel is also very effective.”

Commit to the right skincare regime

“Prior to establishing a treatment, it’s fundamental to evaluate the cause of the facial telangiectasia,” says Dr Valeria Acampora, cosmetic dermatologist. “The most common causes are sun exposure and excess dilation caused by inflammation such as rosacea. The top treatments include IPL and vascular laser, such as pulsed dye laser. Vitamin A can also prevent further vascular damages. It’s essential to commit to the right skincare regime at home. My favourite brand is ZO Skin Health, which has a range of products with anti-inflammatory properties, such as the radical night repair.

Olivia Buxton Smith looks at the ways to eliminate broken veins on your face ‘If you are prone to thread veins, stay away from abrasive scrubs and harsh treatments’

Daily redness solution, £55, Elemis (feelunique. com) Phloretin CF Gel, £150 (mydermacenter. com) This moisturiser contains a powerful anti-redness complex to help reduce the flushed appearance of broken capillaries. This product contains high levels...

Synchrorose intensive cream, £29.95, (theskinmed shop.com) This range from SkinMed protects blood vessels and helps to avoid damage when they contract in sunlight.

Alpha H essential hydration cream, £35 (lookfantastic. com) This moisturiser reduces redness and claims to boost the skin’s natural resistance to thread veins.

NIOD Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid, £50 for 30ml (Selfridges. com) Vitamin C products such as this one help strengthen the skin, which can help prevent thread veins.

Rosaliac AR intense serum, £11.66 (escentual. com) A soothing serum for sensitive, red-prone skin. Contains the powerful vegetable extract ambophenol, which helps reduce the size of blood vessels and strengthen their walls.