Thread vein removal

What are they?

Thread veins or spider veins (telangiectasia) are damaged veins and capillaries just below the surface of the skin. They are extremely common in both men and woman and appear (most typically) on the cheeks, nose and legs. Smaller thread veins are red in appearance but larger ones can look purplish and unsightly. Very large visible veins could be varicose veins.

Normally, these tiny veins in the skin are invisible, but in some people they expand and show through the skin.

Causes of thread veins:

Thread veins are more noticeable later in life as collagen levels reduce and the skin becomes thinner. However, Thread veins (telangiectasia) are very common and statistics show that as many as 20% of 20 year olds and 50% of 50 year olds suffer with them.

Thread veins can be hereditary but can also be caused by the following:

• Too much exposure to the sun over the years
• Pregnancy or oestrogen treatment
• Heredity
• Rosacea (a skin condition)
• Skin condition
• Overuse of steroid creams
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Prolonged standing

Thread vein removal treatments

The two main treatments used to remove thread veins are micro-sclerotherapy and laser treatment.

• Laser treatment is best for thread veins on the face
• Micro-sclerotherapy, possibly combined with laser, is best for thread veins on the legs

Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

IPL is not a laser but a broad wavelength light that is pulsed onto the skin and used to treat many skin conditions including thread veins. This technique uses light that has been carefully filtered in two ways to ensure that only light with correct characteristics (wavelengths) reaches the skin.

IPL is well absorbed by chromophores that have colour such as red hemoglobin in the blood; red thread veins therefore absorb this light and convert it into heat energy. The heat then works to destroy the protein in the wall of the thread vein. As a result the vein gradually and safely disappears after treatment.

The procedure

The IPL procedure is a non-invasive, simple, quick and effective method of thread vein removal.

Patients are required to have a consultation prior to having any treatment. Medical history and consent forms are t be completed within the consultation to confirm suitability for treatment. A patch test is also usually performed within the consultation process to confirm there will be no adverse skin reactions to the light. It is also a good idea to have photographs taken of the area before treatment so that all progress can be monitored.

The treatment process

1. The practitioner will cool the face
2. Skin is thoroughly cleansed
3. A layer of chilled gel will be applied to the top surface of the skin – the gel works as a conductor to guide the light into the skin so that it can penetrate deep down
4. The IPL machine will then be applied to the skin and patients may feel a sensation similar to that of an elastic band pinging on the skin with each shot of light emitted
5. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area and the process is repeated until the entire area is treated.
6. The chilled gel is removed and the area moisturised

IPL treatments usually last from 30 – 45 minutes per session and can take 4 to 5 sessions to achieve desired effects.

Costs

IPL treatment may be available to you on the NHS but costs for private treatment can range from £100-£400 per session depending on the condition of the skin needing treatment.

Micro-sclerotherapy

Micro-sclerotherapy involves using tiny needles to inject thread veins with a special chemical known as a "sclerosant" which causes swelling in the vein's wall. The solutions used in this treatment may differ slightly in strength depending on the size of the vessel to be injected. The sclerosant used is usually a solution known as sodium tetradecyl sulphate. If veins are small enough, the fluid will destroy these veins over several weeks, making them much less noticeable or even invisible.

Microsclerotherapy is normally used for the treatment of leg thread veins but is rarely used to treat facial veins as there is a small possibility of scarring; if the practitioner misses the tiny vein and injects the surrounding skin by mistake, this can cause a skin reaction (some darkening of the skin known as hyperpigmentation may occur).

Overall, the results of this procedure are variable but Micro-sclerotherapy is better for thread veins on the legs than on the face. There is also the possibility that the thread veins will reappear but the treatment can be repeated.

After treatment on the legs, patients are required to wear compression stockings for 1 week; the veins will disperse naturally over the following 2-3 weeks but several treatments may be necessary.

Costs

Micro-sclerotherapy costs will depend on the condition of the skin needing treatment but prices are around £200 per 30 minute session.

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