Treating couperose
Treating couperose
Couperose refers to the presence of numerous dilated red and/or blue blood vessels in the face. It is a harmless condition that mostly affects people with fair skin. However, for cosmetic reasons, you may choose to have couperose treated. After all, everyone wants to feel good in their own skin!
What is couperose?
Couperose mainly appears on the cheeks, nose and chin, in the form of unsightly dilated red and blue capillaries. Although harmless, these dilated vessels can cause discomfort such as burning, tingling or itching.
The first signs usually appear around the age of 30. Couperose is more common in women than in men. Another medical term for couperose is “essential telangiectasia.”
Couperose should not be confused with the condition rosacea. With rosacea, additional symptoms such as red bumps, pustules and swelling occur. These symptoms are not present with couperose.
Causes of couperose
Couperose occurs when superficial capillaries in the skin lose their elasticity and become dilated. Several factors can cause couperose:
- Heredity – couperose tends to run in families.
- Excessive sun exposure.
- Skin type – people with fair skin seem more prone to developing couperose.
- Chronic use of corticosteroid creams or ointments on the face.
- Temperature fluctuations.
- Alcohol consumption.
Couperose laser treatment
At Huidkliniek Parkstad, couperose is treated in the most effective way: with a laser. The MeDioStar skin laser emits a light beam onto the blood vessels. The light is absorbed by the oxyhemoglobin (blood) in the vessels and converted into thermal energy. This causes protein structures to coagulate, which makes the vessels constrict. As the vessel walls contract, the veins become less visible on the skin surface.
On average, 3 treatments are needed to achieve the desired result.
In addition to this effective laser treatment, there are also creams available. These may slightly reduce redness but will not make the blood vessels disappear. However, they can help reduce any burning sensation on the skin.
Want to learn more about treating couperose?
Feel free to ask us or book an appointment right away! We’re happy to advise you.
