Redness is one of the most visible concerns clients present with, and one of the most distressing. While some redness is temporary, linked to lifestyle or environmental triggers, for others it can be chronic, signalling an underlying vascular or inflammatory condition. As therapists, your role is to identify the cause, calm the skin, and guide your clients towards long-term solutions.

Why Redness Happens

Redness occurs when blood vessels dilate or when the skin’s barrier is compromised, leading to inflammation. The challenge for therapists is that redness is not one single condition but a symptom that can stem from multiple causes:

• Barrier impairment – over-exfoliation, harsh products, or dryness leave skin vulnerable
• Vascular reactivity – blood vessels dilate in response to triggers such as alcohol, spicy foods, hot drinks, or sudden temperature changes
• Sun damage – weakening of capillaries and ongoing erythema
• Rosacea – a chronic inflammatory disorder with persistent redness and visible capillaries
• Allergic responses – redness alongside itching or swelling
• Hormonal fluctuations – particularly during pregnancy, perimenopause, or menopause
• Stress and medication – internal factors that amplify inflammatory response

Step One: Identify the Source

Before tackling redness, take a thorough consultation. Ask:

• When does the redness appear—after products, food, sun exposure, or stress?
• Is it fleeting (flushing), or constant (possible rosacea)?
• Are there accompanying symptoms such as stinging, itching, or pustules?
• Does the client’s skin history suggest genetic sensitivity, barrier impairment, or vascular issues?

Accurate differentiation allows for the most effective plan.

Step Two: Restore and Protect the Barrier

A healthy barrier is the foundation for calmer skin. Focus on:

• Gentle cleansing – sulphate-free, non-stripping formulas
• Lipid replenishment – ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, squalane, omega oils
• Hydration – humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, always paired with emollients
• Calming actives – niacinamide, panthenol, colloidal oat, aloe vera

Step Three: Manage Triggers

Educate clients to recognise and reduce common triggers:

• Hot drinks, alcohol, and spicy foods
• Sun exposure (daily broad-spectrum SPF is non-negotiable)
• Rapid temperature shifts (sauna, hot showers, moving from cold to warm environments)
• Stress and poor sleep
• Skincare products containing fragrance, alcohol, or aggressive actives

Step Four: Support Vascular Health

Can We Strengthen Capillary Walls?

Capillaries are tiny blood vessels with very delicate walls. Once they have become permanently dilated or broken (telangiectasia), they cannot be “repaired” with topical skincare. However, we can:

• Reduce reactivity and protect existing vessels through barrier support and trigger management
• Support connective tissue around the vessels with treatments that stimulate collagen production
• Promote healthier vessel function with diet and lifestyle support

Collagen Supplements

Oral collagen supplementation has been shown in some studies to improve skin elasticity and dermal density. While it does not directly rebuild capillary walls, by improving the structure of the dermis it may offer indirect support to the vessels within it.

Collagen Induction Therapies

Treatments such as microneedling and radiofrequency-assisted microneedling stimulate dermal collagen. This can thicken the dermal matrix and improve resilience, which in turn may reduce the visible impact of dilated capillaries. These therapies do not cure vascular weakness but can create a stronger surrounding framework.

Topical Support

Ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamin C, and peptides can help by supporting collagen synthesis and reducing oxidative stress, which indirectly benefits capillary health.

Step Five: Professional Treatments

In-clinic, focus on treatments that strengthen and soothe rather than over-stimulate. Options include:

• Calming facials with hydrating, barrier-repairing ingredients
• Light therapy to reduce inflammation and strengthen skin resilience
• Enzyme-based exfoliation to gently smooth without irritation
• Collagen induction therapies (where appropriate) to build dermal strength
• Referral for vascular laser or IPL in cases of visible, permanent capillary damage

Final Thoughts

Redness can be one of the most challenging symptoms to address, but with careful consultation, barrier restoration, vascular support, and trigger management, therapists can dramatically improve a client’s comfort and confidence.

At Luxury Skincare Brands, all of our ranges contain barrier-repairing ingredients such as ceramides, omegas, and soothing actives, while avoiding unnecessary irritants like synthetic fragrance and dyes. This ensures therapists have access to professional formulations that calm, protect, and restore balance in redness-prone skin. 

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