Some redness after treatment is completely normal, and in fact it is a sign the treatment is doing what it is designed to do. Broken capillaries, by contrast, are not an expected outcome of facial lymphatic drainage or face pilates, and we want to hear from you if they appear.
Why redness happens. When soft tissue is worked, whether through massage, facial sculpting movements, or lymphatic drainage strokes, the mechanical stimulation causes the small blood vessels near the surface of the skin to dilate and blood flow to the area to increase. This response, called erythema, is your circulatory system responding to touch: more oxygenated blood is delivered to the tissue, and metabolic by-products are carried away more efficiently. The skin may look flushed or pink, and may feel warm, for anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours after your session. On the face, where the skin is thinner and the vessels sit closer to the surface, this flush can be more visible than it would be on the back or limbs. It fades on its own and needs no treatment.
Why facial lymphatic drainage in particular should leave very little mark. Lymphatic drainage uses deliberately light, rhythmic pressure, because the lymphatic vessels sit just beneath the skin and respond to gentle stretch rather than deep force. A properly performed lymphatic drainage session may produce mild, short-lived pinkness, but it should not leave lasting red marks, and it should never be painful. Face pilates and facial sculpting techniques use somewhat firmer, more active movement, so a slightly stronger flush is normal there, but the same principle applies: temporary pinkness, not lasting marks.
What about broken capillaries? "Broken capillaries" (the medical term is telangiectasia) are tiny dilated vessels that remain visible as fine red or purple threads after the general flush has faded. These are usually not created by a single treatment; more often they already exist, particularly in people with rosacea, fair or mature skin, significant sun exposure, or a family tendency toward them, and become more noticeable when circulation to the area increases. Genuinely new pinpoint marks or bruising after a facial treatment would suggest that your capillaries are more fragile than average. Capillary fragility can be increased by blood-thinning medications (including daily aspirin), some supplements, topical retinoids, recent exfoliating or laser treatments, and certain medical conditions, which is why we ask about these on your health history.
What to tell us before and during treatment. Your treatments at Aman Spa are performed by Registered Massage Therapists, and part of every session is a conversation about your health history and your comfort. Please let your RMT know if you have rosacea, sensitive or reactive skin, are using retinoids or acids, take blood thinners, or have had recent cosmetic procedures. Your therapist will adjust pressure and technique accordingly, and you are always welcome to ask for lighter pressure at any point during the session; treatment can be modified or stopped at any time at your request.
When to follow up. Contact us, or check in with your physician, if redness lasts more than a day or two, if you develop bruising, swelling, hives, or itching, if the skin feels hot or the redness spreads, or if new visible vessels persist after the flush has faded. These outcomes are uncommon, and if they occur we want to know so your therapist can review what was done and adapt your next session.
