Thread Vein Removal
Thread veins or ‘spider veins’ are small visible red/purple veins in the skin. They are not dangerous and do not cause any symptoms but because they are so visible people often dislike them and choose to get them treated.
Thread veins are extremely common. Some people have a genetic tendency to develop thread veins whilst others develop them from hormonal exposure eg. in pregnancy or from excess sunlight exposure.
There are a number of treatments available to remove thread veins. Sclerotherapy is by far the best way of removing thread veins on the legs and is known as the gold standard treatment. Facial thread veins respond best to short wave diathermy treatment using a small electrical current or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).
At The Skin Clinic we offer all of these treatments and will be happy to see you for a consultation to assess your suitability for treatment and to see which treatment is most appropriate.
Sclerotherapy is the gold standard treatment for thread veins affecting the legs. The procedure involves a series of micro-injections into the vein using a tiny needle. A sclerosing agent is injected into the vein that causes the lining of the vein to swell so that blood cannot flow through the vein. It is actually the blood in the veins that makes them visible not the vein itself. Sclerotherapy will prevent blood from getting into the vein by sealing off the vein so that blood is prevented from getting through and the vein then disappears over time.
How many sclerotherapy treatments will I need?
The number of treatments needed for leg thread veins varies from person to person. Some people get a good improvement after only 1 treatment whilst others may need 2-3 treatments every 6-12 weeks. Your clinician can advise you further after your initial consultation.
How will I look after treatment?
After the treatment your legs may look a little red and may be a little swollen. This is normal and will settle down in a few days. It is important to wear graduated support/compression stockings after sclerotherapy as this helps the veins to seal up and prevents the blood from flowing back into them. These can be purchased in our clinic or are available online or in certain pharmacies.
Short wave diathermy, also known as electrocoagulation, is a quick and safe procedure that effectively removes facial thread veins. It has a success rate of 85-90% for facial thread veins or spider veins. A very fine needle is used to prick the skin and then a small electrical current is passed through the needle that heats up the blood in the vein and seals the vein shut. Over the course of the next few weeks the vein simply withers, the blood disperses and the vein becomes less noticeable.
How many short wave diathermy treatments will I need?
Results vary from person to person but most people will get good results after 1 treatment. Treatments can be repeated until the result you want is achieved.
How will my skin look afterwards?
Your skin may look a little red and puffy and be more sensitive to sunlight after treatment. This is normal and will settle down in a few hours. During summer months you should use a SPF 50 sunblock to the treated areas while they are healing. Final results will be seen 4-6 weeks after treatment as it takes a while for your body to reabsorb the blood from the vein.
How does Intense Pulsed Light work for thread veins?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) works by using light at a specific wavelength to break down the blood in thread veins causing them to disappear. Most people need 4-6 treatments separated by 4 weeks. IPL cannot be used when the skin is tanned or when tanning products have been applied to the skin.
How will my skin look after IPL treatment?
Your skin may be slightly red after treatment but this will settle down immediately. We will ask you not to suntan or apply fake tan products to the skin during the course of your treatment.
