BBL for Treating Facial Redness and Broken Veins

Facial redness and visible veins are extremely common concerns in my clinic, especially among patients with fair skin, rosacea, or a history of sun exposure. For those over 50, these changes can become more noticeable and persistent with time. Fortunately, Broadband Light (BBL) therapy offers a gentle, medically proven way to address these issues without downtime or invasive treatment.

Understanding Facial Redness and Veins

Redness in the face is often caused by tiny blood vessels that dilate and become visible at the surface of the skin. These can appear as generalised flushing, diffuse redness, or distinct thread veins (telangiectasia), most commonly across the cheeks and nose.

For many patients, this isn’t just a cosmetic issue — it can feel uncomfortable, sensitive, or lead to embarrassment. While there are many possible triggers (heat, alcohol, stress, or skincare reactions), the underlying cause is usually vascular in nature.

How BBL Phototherapy Works

BBL delivers targeted light energy into the skin, which is absorbed by red pigment in the blood vessels. This energy gently heats the vessels, causing them to break down and be naturally cleared by the body.

Over a course of treatments, this leads to a visible reduction in:

• Persistent redness
• Flushing
• Thread veins and capillaries
• Rosacea-related vascular symptoms

Because BBL is non-ablative and non-invasive, it is a safe option even for those with more sensitive or reactive skin types.

What to Expect During Treatment

A typical BBL session for redness or visible veins takes around 30 minutes. Most patients describe the sensation as a warm flicking feeling. Redness may be slightly more pronounced immediately afterwards but usually settles within a few hours.

Results improve gradually over a series of treatments. In my clinic, I usually recommend an initial course of 3 treatments spaced a few weeks apart, followed by maintenance if required.

Is BBL Suitable for You?

BBL is effective for all Fitzpatrick skin types but I assess every patient’s skin carefully before agreeing to start any treatment. We take into account your medical history, sun exposure, and any history of conditions like rosacea.

The treatment is customisable — I adjust the settings to target vascular issues without affecting surrounding skin. This makes it both effective and low risk.

Why I Recommend BBL for Facial Redness

I have seen consistently excellent results using BBL in patients seeking to reduce unwanted redness and improve their skin’s clarity. In addition to its cosmetic benefits, BBL has also been shown in clinical studies (such as the Stanford research) to improve skin quality at a molecular level.

This makes it a valuable option not just for appearance, but for overall skin health — something I prioritise with every patient.

If you’d like to explore whether BBL might be right for your skin, I would be happy to see you for a one-to-one medical consultation at The MW Clinic London.

Learn more about BBL phototherapy
See our BBL pricing and treatment packages
Book a consultation with Dr Meg Minasian