Medically reviewed by Dr. A.M. van Coevorden, dermatologist
CouperoseVisible veins, usually harmless.
Couperose is the presence of small, dilated blood vessels visible as red or purplish-blue veins on the face, especially on the cheeks and nose. The veins appear because the vessel walls weaken and no longer contract properly. Couperose is harmless, but it does not disappear by itself and can be cosmetically bothersome.
What is couperose?
With couperose you see a network of small red, sometimes purple or blue veins on the face. Doctors call these dilated vessels telangiectasia. They sit mainly on the cheeks and nose, sometimes on the chin and forehead. The skin can feel sensitive and flush more quickly with heat, cold or exertion. Couperose is common, more so in people with fair skin, and usually increases with age.
Couperose is different from rosacea. With rosacea, bumps, spots and often a burning sensation accompany the redness and the veins. Couperose can, however, be part of rosacea.
How does couperose develop?
The walls of the small blood vessels in the face lose their elasticity, so the vessels stay dilated and become visible. Predisposition plays a large role: couperose clearly runs in some families. Skin ageing and years of sun exposure also contribute, because UV damage weakens the vessel walls and the surrounding tissue. Large temperature changes, heat and alcohol can worsen the redness and make the veins more noticeable.
What can you do yourself?
Self-care will not remove existing veins, but you can slow things down. Protect your face against the sun all year round with a day cream or sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Care for the skin gently: no scrubs, no products with alcohol or perfume, and avoid washing or showering too hot. Where possible, avoid large temperature changes, such as going straight from the cold into a warm room, and go easy on alcohol if you notice it increases the redness.
Sun protection is the most important measure: UV damage further weakens the vessel walls and makes couperose worse over the years.
When to see a dermatologist or doctor?
Couperose is harmless and treatment is never required. If the redness bothers you, the visible veins can be treated effectively with a laser or light treatment or with electrocoagulation; the dermatologist discusses which method suits your skin. Also have your skin assessed if you are unsure what is causing the redness, or if the veins increase quickly. That way you know exactly where you stand and whether treatment is worthwhile.
Please note
Are bumps, spots or a burning sensation appearing alongside the veins? Have your skin assessed: that can be rosacea, which needs its own treatment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between couperose and rosacea?
Couperose is only the presence of visible, dilated veins on the face. Rosacea also involves flushing, bumps, spots and often a burning sensation, and sometimes eye symptoms. Couperose can be part of rosacea, but having couperose does not mean you also have rosacea.
Does couperose go away by itself?
No. The dilated veins no longer contract and stay visible. Sun protection and gentle skincare slow down worsening; only a treatment such as laser or electrocoagulation can remove the visible veins.
What causes couperose?
Mainly predisposition and skin ageing, reinforced by years of sun exposure. Heat, cold, large temperature changes and alcohol can worsen the redness and make the veins more noticeable.
What can you do about couperose yourself?
Protect your face daily against the sun with at least SPF 30, care for the skin gently without scrubs, alcohol or perfume, avoid washing too hot and avoid large temperature changes. That way you prevent the couperose from increasing over the years.
When should you see a dermatologist about couperose?
If the redness bothers you and you are considering treatment, if the veins increase quickly, if you are unsure about the cause of the redness, or if bumps, spots or a burning sensation appear. The dermatologist establishes what is going on and which treatment is worthwhile.
Sources and more information
- Wat is het verschil tussen couperose en rosacea? (huidarts.com)