What term describes distended capillaries?

The term that describes distended capillaries is telangiectasias. Telangiectasias are small, dilated blood vessels that often appear as red or blue lines on the skin and are most commonly found on the face and legs. They result from a weakening of the vessel walls, leading to a permanent enlargement of the capillaries. This condition is often associated with a variety of factors, including sun exposure, genetics, and certain medical conditions. Understanding telangiectasias is crucial for estheticians, as they can impact the choice of treatments for skin care and the appropriate methods of makeup application to achieve a balanced appearance.

Further context regarding the other options: varicosities typically refer to larger, swollen veins often in the legs, which is a different condition than the smaller capillary structures. Capillary malformations can describe a broader range of issues with capillaries, including various types of abnormal growths or configurations but are not as specific as telangiectasias. Petechiae are tiny, pinpoint, red or purple spots that occur due to bleeding under the skin and are also not the same as distended capillaries, as they signal a different underlying issue.