You've all seen my face many times and will know what I mean when I mention it. I have a blemish on the side of my nose, it's practically impossible to cover it up with makeup and it's flummoxed many SAs at counters who have tried to conceal it over the years. I refer to it as a vascular blemish, I don't know if that's the correct term but I guess it's my way of asserting it's not a spot! Mr MB has made the mistake of calling it a spot before and regretted it!
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| I know it's a weird angle but it demonstrates the blemish I'm talking about quite well. |
I can't really remember when it appeared, I haven't had it all my life but it has been there and niggling me for at least six years now. It looks like a capillary that has bulged through and raised the skin around it. It has a very red appearance because it's connected to the circulatory system and it's the red colour that makes it particularly hard to disguise. I can usually soften the appearance but not cover it completely. I'm embarrassed to admit that on occasion I have just airbrushed it out of photos.
When I started looking into treatments for hyperpigmentation, I came across mentions of treatments for vascular blemishes and I realised it might actually be possible to airbrush it out in a more permanent way. I asked Lesley Reynolds Khan at the Harley Street Skin Clinic what treatment she would recommend for removing this kind of blemish.
"Laser treatment can be used, especially in the case of smaller spider veins where a needle would not be appropriate. The treatment involves directing intense light directly at the veins. This causes the blood within them to coagulate and the blood is then diverted to veins deeper below the surface of the skin where it should be. You may need 3 sessions of treatment a month apart and must use sunscreen post treatment. Sclerotherapy is recommended for treatment of thread veins on the legs."
I'm currently pondering whether I should just go for it and get it removed. It is in such a prominent area of my face it would be lovely to make it disappear. I do realise that it makes me sound vain to worry about such a small thing but at the same time people do comment on it. My children included. Have you ever considered cosmetic treatment for something you see as a 'fault' on your face or body? Or do you think these 'faults' add character? I'd love to know what you think.
No, not vain at all. Get it zapped! I have this mole thing on my nose that usually looks OK but sometimes suddenly goes red like yours, I think I'm going to get that zapped off. Life's too short and with today's easy techniques, why not?! Any side-effects that you know of? xx
ReplyDeleteGo for it! I've a mole on my face that I've been meaning to get zapped for years. You will be my motivation!
ReplyDeleteJane, I agree with Ruth. I had mine lasered off and have never regretted it! It bugged me for many years and now it's healed beautifuly and undetectable. I would get it checked out and see what the options are. Good luck! xx
ReplyDeleteI've read loads of your posts, most of which have pics in them - however, until you pointed this out in this post, I have never noticed the blemish. If you'd asked me whether you had any blemishes or obvious marks, my answer would have been no!
ReplyDeleteIn other words, I think it's more likely to be noticeable to you than anyone else. If it bugs you - get rid. If not, leave be and enjoy the uniqueness that brings!
I don't think its vain!
ReplyDeleteI have spider veins all over my chest, a few on my arms and one by my nostri. My chest concerns me as I think it looks a lot like I have acne there at a glance. I'd zap in an instant if I could afford it!
totally get it zapped. I got light treatment to remove hair (its multipurpose, apparently) and in the process a largish, DARK BROWN mole has lightened considerably through proximity. I know people who've had portwine marks removed really successfully. Luckily that's a really little area you'd be treating.
ReplyDeleteand don't ever be ashamed of the airbrush tool. It's only shameful when you start looking barbie-glossy.
I have thread veins on my upper back and a few around my nose, I wouldn't get them zapped at the moment because I can still hide them well. But if they got so bad it was very hard to cover then zapping is the way forward.
ReplyDeleteMs Red
Totally agree with other posts, if it bothers you (which it clearly does) then go for it! Not vain at all, life is too short to live with things we can change if it will make us happier, in life, love or beauty! xx
ReplyDeleteI have a huge birthmark on my wrist, it has bothered me all of my life, I have tried various treatments to have it removed, the last being Cryotherapy in my late teens. Sadly nothing worked and I was sentenced to a life of long sleeves. As I have got older I have become less bothered about it until I catch someone staring or someone actually asks me about it. Having read your post today and the comments that have been left I have decided that I am going to look into Laser. I think if something really bothers you then you should do what is right for you, so if this blemish is really bothering you ( I have to say I never noticed it before) then you should go for it. Jude xx @jadlgw
ReplyDeleteMuch like everyone else has commented, its on your face and if its bugging you and you can afford to get rid of it then why not. My mum put up with a patch on her face for years that she hated but was also painful, we all just put it down as an age spot and didn't realise how much it bugged her. She had it frozen off, I think?, was quite a mess for a few days as I understand (she doesn't live near me) but when I saw her at Easter she was delighted, no sign of it at all, just nice smooth healthy skin and she is so thrilled, she just wished she had done it sooner. Not that I consider your concerns vain in anyway but there is nothing wrong with a little vanity - isn't it the main reason we all wear make up in the first place, to look the best we can?! x
ReplyDeleteI wonder if your blemish is a cherry angioma, which is harmless but annoying. V-beam (a form of laser) would dissolve that meanie in probably a single treatment, and since it's targeted to one specific area on your face, it should not cost must (dermatologists charge by the number of pulses). So, no not vain. It's your face, after all, and you have a right to be happy with it.
ReplyDeleteLast year I had a series of V-beam and IPL to get rid of the very fine veining from rosacea and it also softened much of my melasma. Best thing I have done for myself in years. So do it! You won't regret it, and it doesn't even hurt. You'll look like a boiled lobster for about 45 minutes after (so don't plan to go right back to work), but your face will be back to normal by evening. :)
By the way, I have never noticed it on you.
Jane, I have to say that having seen all of your FOTD pictures I have also never ever noticed it until you pointed it out on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI think we are our own worst critics really. But if it bothers you in any way, I'd get it removed. Apparently it is a tiny procedure, and you'll feel happier for it. :)
As above really - if it bothers you, get it zapped. My mum always said she would never ever have cosmetic surgery - but then did when she needed it, for a similar 'blemish', and said it was the best thing she ever did!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I had not really noticed it when seeing you in person, I agree with others in that I don't think it's vain and if it is bugging you then zap the little bugger!
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I've never outright thought, 'Oh, she has a red mark on her face!' I'd never have thought of it until you pointed it out! But I'm all for laser treatments, surgery etc if it will make you happy :) On another note - have you tried concealers designed for tattoos, rosacea or birthmarks?
ReplyDeleteDo it Jane!!!! I had two moles removed from my chin eighteen months ago. I'd always had them and finally, at the age of 38, I felt pretty! It was a surgical procedure done by a top dermatologist but as they were very deep took over a year to heal, and I still have scars, which I'm considering having treated, so don't assume this kind of thing is always quick with perfect results, but it's still something I wish with all my heart I could have had done at the age of 14 or so. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'd get it zapped. Why not? Its just the same as having it permanently airbrushed. It doesn't serve a purpose so there's no reason not to get rid.
ReplyDeleteI've never noticed it either but if it is bothering you so much I wouldn't hesitate to get it removed. I have some thread veins I'll get removed at some point. One in particular on my cheekbone where I squeezed too hard at milia!
ReplyDeleteX
Years ago I had a small mole on the side of my nose that looked a bit like a very light blackhead and it bothered me, so I got it removed.
ReplyDeleteThere was no fanfare afterwards tho because no one noticed it in the first place - so just be prepared for that. Does the desire to have it removed outweigh the cost/risk. Will it make you happier once it's gone? Would you be that bothered if you weren't blogging about makeup and taking pictures?
Just some questions to ask yourself before you decide.... :D
Wow, thank you all for the overwhelming response. I really wasn’t expecting it at all but I really appreciate your thoughts. I’m pleased that you don’t think me vain and with so many of you saying to just go for it, I feel determined to follow this through. I’m sorry that I haven’t answered you all individually on this occasion.
ReplyDelete@Ruth: I think you’re right that with today’s techniques with lasers that really there’s nothing to it. Do you find MUA mention it on shoots?
@Kenneth: I’m fascinated to hear you’ve had a similar procedure and don’t regret it.
@Jude: I’ll be really interested to hear how you get on with investigations. My middle boy has a birthmark on his forehead and I often wonder what he’ll want to do in the future.
@Zuzu: I will look up cherry angioma, I have tried before to find out exactly what this is. I wished I’d spoken to one of the Dermatologists I worked with years ago when I had the chance! I’m very interested to hear you’ve had success with V-beam and IPL.
@BBH: I haven’t used camouflage concealer but Caroline Barnes explained some tricks for covering it up on Saturday. The greatest success I’ve had with covering it was when using mineral foundation.
@MunichJoolz: Thank you sharing your experience. It’s very useful. I suspect mine will be very much surface only as the capillary can be destroyed and the blood flow diverted. I won’t know for sure until I arrange for a consultation though I suppose. Do you think you’ll go for some resurfacing with the scars? I’ve seen that work really well.
@Skin Scrubs: Your comment is really interesting. This blob bothered me long before blogging and it actually bothers me more in real life than it does with regard to posting pics of myself, if that makes sense. Most people on here have said they’d not particularly noticed whereas my husband notices and my eldest often pokes at it (he’s so oblivious to how it might hurt my feelings) which is actually quite painful! So, for me, I don’t think there would so much of an anti-climax. I do know exactly what you mean though and it’s good to consider what and who you’re doing it for before embarking on this kind of journey.
Thank you to all of you for your comments,
Jane x
Now that they've finally settled to raised but not red scars (For a time I was a bit worried for a time that they might grow back as they were before as I was warned this could happen) I'm thinking of going for resurfacing. My dermatologist doesn't like to do that kind of procedure in summer though due to increased light exposure to healing skin so I'll be going in September.
ReplyDeleteIf you want it, then go for it, if it would make you happier it doesn't matter that other people say or think :)
ReplyDeleteSarah x
If it would make you happier to get it zapped then definitely go for it chick! I had a few really tiny red veins around my nose a couple of years back and had a sessio of electrolosyis to remove them.People said they werent noticeable but every time i looked in the mirror they bothered me and im happier without them :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI'd get it zapped too. If it's bothering you and it can be fixed quite simply, then why not?
ReplyDeleteI don't think its vain, think we all want perfection. I think I'd just be worried if I had treatment and it went wrong and damaged the skin, although I am overly paranoid! x
ReplyDeleteIt's not at all vain, but I agree that I've never noticed it. I have a slightly different blemish - I have a (large) wart on the side of my nose! I've had it for years - I first remember seeing it when I was 18 - and I don't even notice it anymore. Occasionally I think I should do something about it, but I never do. When I occasionally do FOTD pics, I take the photos from the other side. My nephew pointed out (tactfully) that my big sister had a very similar wart on the side of her nose - I'd not noticed it before then. However, I did notice that it had disappeared last time I saw her - must ask her what she did! xx
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed it either, but I think that if it bothers you and there are no sides effects, then do it! I don't think there's anything wrong with doing that. x Klara
ReplyDeleteJane, if it bothers you then you have your answer. Don't beat yourself up over it. Don't agonize over thinking you're vain, I don't think you are. Zap it and then it will be a distant memory from your life. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI never noticed it at all but then it's on your face and if it bothers you, why not? Whatever makes you feel your best is the right answer for you. x jeanie
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting because I have two on my face. One is on my eyebrow and there's very little I can do with eyebrow makeup to camouflage it. I notice it when I take my blog pictures and it bothers me but in real life I know it's not that noticeable to anyone other than myself.
ReplyDeleteIt's our vanity that makes us self conscious about these but others really don't notice it. It doesn't take away from your beauty at all.
I admire your bravery in admitting to something you felt might be harshly judged and asking for honest advice, Jane! I don't think it is vain at all,- we all diet, style/colour our hair and use makeup to present our best selves so why not remove something that you feel stops that from happening? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAs most of us are, you are far too hard on yourself. Vanity is not a crime; it means you care about yourself. If it bothers you, have it removed. I've had laser treatments for broken veins around my nose. Be warned that they do come back and will need to be retreated.
ReplyDeleteI just had a wart removed from my cheek. As soon as it raised its ugly head, it was frozen off. It's not vanity; it's upkeep.
I honestly thought it was just a small mole this whole time! But what's important is that it bothers you, so if it's in your budget to get this treatment I say go for it.
ReplyDelete