Thread Vein Removal
Thread veins are tiny blood vessels which run close to the surface of the skin on the face and body, and look like fine red, or sometimes purple, wiggly lines. They're also sometimes called 'spider veins'. The medical term for them is telangiectasia.
Thread veins are tackled with a treatment called micro sclerotherapy which involves a ‘sclerosing’ agent such as “fibrovein” or a highly concentrated salt-water solution being injected into the veins. This causes the vein walls to swell. These walls eventually swell so much that they close the vein, stopping the blood flow in the tiny vessel. The body then recycles this broken vein and reabsorbs it safely. Because these veins are so small, it is inconsequential to your health to stop their blood flow. This makes the treatment very safe while still delivering excellent results.
Thread veins are commonly found on the face and legs but they can appear anywhere on the body. This condition can develop in anyone at any age and can be treated quickly and effectively with the right advice and treatment. Facial thread veins are not treated by sclerotherapy.
A practitioner will examine the area affected by thread veins, take a medical history, and recommend a course of treatments according to individual requirements. They will also advise on the after treatment care.
Pre-treatment care
- Do not expose skin to UV (sun exposure or the use of tanning beds) or self tan for at least 4 weeks before treatments.
- Do not use bleaching creams, numbing creams or perfumed products (e.g. aromatherapy oils, face and body creams, shaving creams) for 24 – 48 hrs before treatment sessions.
- Avoid swimming in strong chlorinated water for 24 – 48 hrs before treatment sessions.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing when attending for treatment sessions.
- Keep the area clean and dry.
- Avoid exfoliating, microdermabrasion or chemical peels 1-2 weeks prior to treatment.
- Hydrate the body by drinking plenty of water
- Protect the skin from sun exposure with suitable clothing and use of sun block SPF 30+ before first treatment and between subsequent treatment sessions but do NOT use sun blocking creams within 24hrs of scheduled treatments.
Post-treatment care:
- Do not expose skin to UV (sun exposure or the use of tanning beds) or self tan for at least 4 weeks and protect it every 4 hours with a sun screen SPF 50 or 50+
- For a while, avoid using perfume or body lotions, creams on the treated area.
- Avoid very hot baths/showers/steam baths /sauna for at least 2 weeks.
- Avoid swimming in strong chlorinated water for at least 2 weeks.
- Hydrate the body by drinking plenty of water.
Patients report up to a 75% visible reduction with just one to three sclerotherapy treatments. This is a semi-permanent treatment due to the fact that the treatment may in some cases shrink, but not obliterate the thread veins. If this were to happen, the thread vein may reappear in time.
There is a little bit of a treatment journey with micro-sclerotherapy. It typically requires around 6 to 8 weeks for optimum results are achieved and it is possible a second or third treatment is needed. Beginning treatment in the colder months means that the treatment journey is more likely to be completed by the time the temperatures begin to warm again.
Depending on your skin type (and the lesion being treated) some redness and swelling may be visible, but will usually subside around 48 hours after treatment. Lesions may appear darker around 5-7 days later. During treatment, some patients may feel a mild discomfort. The treatment is quick and effective, usually requiring around 3-6 sessions once every 4-6 weeks.
From £300-700
“If you’re aiming for bikini ready legs then Microsclerotherapy is an excellent, well tolerated treatment for dealing with any unsightly spider veins “
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