Thread or spider veins on the legs can be embarrassing, although generally not harmful or painful. There is normally a hereditary aspect to the formation of thread veins, also known as spider veins. Their formation can also be accelerated by the physical stress of pregnancy.
Thread veins are narrow veins typically less than 1mm diameter and appear as red or bluish threads just under the surface of the skin. Although they can be larger than this but they are not varicose veins. They can be either single veins or appear as a visible network of veins. In general they do not significantly raise the surface of the skin.
Varicose veins are very different and are formed from valve failures in the larger leg veins that increases the pressure on the veins below the failed valve/valves. These have the appearance of blueish strings or ropes under the skin. They are normally treated with foaming sclerotherapy or surgery. At Cosmex Clinic we do not treat varicose veins but would be happy to refer you to the the appropriate people.
Spectra Vein
Uses the very latest solid state fibre laser that produces a very fine laser beam at a specially selected wavelength to trace an treat the affected vein. It has a number of advantages over other methods including Thermavein when treating spider/thread veins.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
IPL is very good for treating very fine veins, which may be singular or in a network covering larger areas of the face. This approach is less effective for thread veins on the legs but where the veins are very fine it can be appropriate. The large treatment area of the IPL device makes this treatment fast and the modern cooled tip helps to ensure it is a comfortable treatment.
Sclerotherapy
Involves an injection directly into the vein and would be used for the largest veins that we would treat.
Frequently Asked Question
Can Thread veins be removed
The simple answer is yes we can successfully treat thread veins up to 2mm diameter.
How many treatments will it take
Veins less than 0.5mm diameter can normally be treated in one session. Larger veins may require a second or third treatment.
Once treated can they reoccur
The treated veins will not come back but if you have previously had thread veins is it likely that other new thread veins will appear in time.