Article

Excel V vs IPL: Which Is Better for Broken Capillaries?

December 26, 2025

Broken capillaries (also called spider veins, thread veins, or telangiectasia) are common concerns in Korean dermatology clinics — especially on the cheeks, nose, or around the eyes. Two popular light-based treatments used to address them are Excel V laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). Both can improve redness and visible vessels, but they work differently and are suited to different situations.

What Is Excel V?

Excel V is a true vascular laser — a high-precision laser specifically designed to target red and brown pigments including hemoglobin in blood vessels.

How it works

  • Delivers 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths optimized for vascular and deeper structures
  • Energy is absorbed by hemoglobin in broken capillaries
  • This causes controlled heat damage to the vessel wall
  • The body then breaks down and absorbs the treated vessels

Excel V is considered one of the gold standard vascular lasers because it can precisely treat small vessels with minimal impact on surrounding tissue.

Best for
✔ Broken capillaries
✔ Rosacea redness
✔ Facial veins and persistent redness
✔ Fine spider veins

Results & timeline

  • Visible improvement often after 1–3 sessions
  • Redness and visible vessels diminish progressively
  • Some patients see initial darkening before fading

Comfort & downtime

  • Mild redness or pinpoint marks for 1–2 days
  • Topical numbing minimizes discomfort

What Is IPL?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a broad-spectrum light device that emits multiple wavelengths to target pigment and vascular concerns simultaneously.

How it works

  • Pulsed light energy is absorbed by both melanin (pigment) and hemoglobin (blood vessels)
  • Gentle heating encourages the breakdown of superficial pigment and small vessels
  • Surrounding skin is spared due to pulsed delivery

IPL is versatile and often used for:
✔ Diffuse redness
✔ Mild broken capillaries
✔ Pigmentation, sunspots
✔ Rosacea with mixed concerns
✔ Overall skin tone and glow

Results & timeline

  • Gradual improvement over 3–6 sessions
  • Redness and texture often improve cumulatively

Comfort & downtime

  • Minimal downtime — slight redness or warmth
  • Generally comfortable with cooling

Excel V vs IPL: Key Differences

Target Precision

  • Excel V: Focused laser energy precisely targets blood vessels and hemoglobin.
  • IPL: Broader light spectrum targets both pigment and vascular issues, but with less specificity.

➡️ Excel V’s precision makes it stronger for visible broken capillaries.

Effectiveness for Broken Capillaries

  • Excel V: Excellent; often produces faster and more dramatic reduction in visible vessels.
  • IPL: Good for mild vessels and diffuse redness, but may be less effective for distinct capillaries than a vascular laser.

➡️ For true broken capillaries, Excel V usually delivers superior results.

Suitability by Concern

  • Excel V: Best when broken capillaries are distinct, persistent, or symptomatic (e.g., rosacea-type redness).
  • IPL: Ideal when red tones are diffuse, mixed with pigmentation, or when you want overall tone improvement plus mild vascular benefits.

Sessions Needed

  • Excel V: Often 1–3 sessions for significant improvement.
  • IPL: Typically 3–6 sessions for gradual enhancement.

Downtime & Comfort

  • Excel V: Mild redness or small marks for 1–2 days; numbing is common.
  • IPL: Low downtime; slight warmth or fleeting redness.

Which Is Better for Broken Capillaries?

✨ Choose Excel V Laser if:

  • You have distinct visible broken capillaries
  • Redness is persistent and focal
  • You want stronger, faster results
  • You prefer precision over broad improvement

💫 Choose IPL if:

  • Redness is diffuse or mixed with pigmentation
  • You want to improve overall tone and glow
  • You prefer gentle sessions with minimal discomfort
  • Broken capillaries are mild or early stage

In Korea, many dermatologists recommend Excel V as the first line for clear vascular lesions, and IPL for general redness and tone refinement.

Can They Be Combined?

Yes — a strategic approach used in some Seoul clinics is:

  1. Excel V for the most visible or stubborn capillaries
  2. IPL to refine overall redness and skin tone
  3. Maintenance with gentle peels or skin boosters for long-term radiance

This layered plan addresses both true vascular marks and general skin clarity.

Final Thoughts

  • Excel V delivers targeted, powerful results for broken capillaries and vascular redness.
  • IPL offers gentle, broad tone improvement with mild vascular benefits.

Your best choice depends on your type of redness, severity of capillaries, and whether you want precision or broad improvement.

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