Thread veins

If you have large visible veins, they could be varicose veins.

Find a good concealer and use it under your make-up. Using an artificial suntan preparation will make leg thread veins less obvious.

 

Avoid alcoholic drinks, very hot drinks and spicy foods if you find these make the veins more obvious.

 

Horse chestnut cream (available from health food stores) is said to strengthen the tiny veins in the skin. Apply gently to avoid traumatizing the skin.

The two main treatments are micro-sclerotherapy and laser treatment. In general:

Micro-sclerotherapy involves injecting the veins with a chemical using tiny needles. This makes the walls of the veins stick together. After treatment on the legs, you will need to wear compression stockings for 1 week, and the veins will disperse naturally over the following 2-3 weeks. Several treatments may be needed. If the therapist misses the tiny vein, and injects the surrounding skin by mistake, there can be a skin reaction. Some darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation) may occur. Overall, the results are variable. Micro-sclerotherapy is better for thread veins on the legs than on the face. The veins may come back, but the treatment can be repeated.

 

Laser treatment gets rid of the veins very successfully and is the best treatment for thread veins on the face, but it does have drawbacks. It cannot be used on dark skin because the pigment in the skin blocks the laser beam, and the pigment may be lost afterwards. Some types of laser, especially the pulsed dye laser, cause bruising, which is at its worst in the first 48 hours, but can last up to 10 days. A different type of laser, the potassium titanyl phosphate laser, does not cause bruising. After treatment, you will have to protect your skin from sunlight. Laser treatment can change the texture of the skin, and sometimes leaves little white scars. It does not work very well on the legs, probably because the thread veins lie deeper in the skin. Some people find it painful, or notice a flicking sensation during the treatment. It is more expensive than sclerotherapy.

 

High-intensity light treatment (Photoderm) heats the veins to make them coagulate. It can cover a bigger area than laser treatment areas measuring 2 cm by 0.5 cm can be treated by a single flash. Scientific studies of the treatment have produced contradictory results. One study concluded that at least 75% of the veins were cleared in 80% of patients, and that after treatment the skin may look a little red and there may be some tiny blisters, but usually no scarring (Dermatological Surgery 1996;22:32330).
In another study, patients found the treatment uncomfortable and described each light pulse as being like a burn. There was scarring and thinning of the skin in 21% of patients, and 42% had blistering and peeling. Only 9.5% of patients had complete clearance of the thread veins and there was no change in appearance in 56% (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1998;38:618).

 

So, this technique appears to be more risky and less effective than laser treatment.

 

Electrolysis is cheap, and offered by many beauty clinics. It is less effective than the other treatments, and there is a greater risk of scarring.

It may be difficult to get treatment for the thread veins through your doctor, because it comes into the cosmetic treatment category. However, if you are very self-conscious about them, and find cover-up creams inadequate, it is worth asking your doctor. If you are in your 20s and notice thread veins, do not think that you are too young to go for treatment this is the ideal age for laser treatment. About a third of people with thread veins on the legs have varicose veins; in this situation the varicose veins must be treated first.

 

You may have to use a private clinic. Clinics advertise persuasively, and it is difficult to know which provide good treatment. The best policy is to ask your doctor to find out the name of a good clinic from the local vascular surgeon (blood vessel expert). Some hospitals in the UK are now running private cosmetic laser clinics (to generate money for the purchase of equipment to be used for National Health Service patients). These clinics have a doctor in charge and their standards are high. You could telephone the dermatology department of your nearest large hospital to find out if it runs one of these clinics.

 

Before committing yourself to treatment, find out exactly what method the clinic uses, how many sessions will be needed and what the cost will be. Ask about problems, such as scarring.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 26th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Optional on 05/03/2010 at 02:56:56 pm

thanks for the advice to contact the local hospital. i am very dubious about these clinics that advertise everywhere.

Posted by Maria on 22/02/2010 at 12:05:12 am

Hi there I have thread veins on my upper cheeks, upper chest and upper arms. What can I do to get rid of it?

Posted by Redders on 11/02/2010 at 10:17:00 pm

Nice information. As a sufferer of thread veins I created a website which contains information, questions and answers pulled from around the web. http://www.threadveinremoval.info I hope it offers some help to people.

Posted by Nina on 01/02/2010 at 09:48:00 am

I had the implant put in my arm and now seem to have thred vain coming on my face more each day, has anyone else had this?

Posted by Lisa on 22/01/2010 at 09:58:00 am

HI, I am a bit concerned that my 13 year old son has varicose veins appearing on his leg at the front below his knee. They stand out when he is stood upright. I have looked and can't find any information about such a young person having this problem. I would be grateful if someone would let me know if this is ok at his age and what he can do to minimise any further veins appearing (he plays a lot of sport especially football) Cheers Lisa

Posted by helen on 09/01/2010 at 09:33:00 pm

is there any clinics in n ireland ?

Posted by Paul on 30/12/2009 at 03:52:00 pm

I found multi-light treatments for spider veins on my nose quite effective but the effects were not permanent. It's pretty much painless - feels like you're being "pinged" by an rubber band. After one treatment I did have a dark blue bruise - the dermatologist subsequently adjusted the calibration of the machine. No other advberse effects.

Posted by burni on 16/12/2009 at 10:50:00 pm

16 year old boy i have some on my one tie but i dont care we are who we are aint we ?

Posted by sarah on 25/10/2009 at 12:48:00 am

im 14 and i have them !!!

Posted by jules on 02/08/2009 at 10:50:00 am

Hi, I have quite a few spiders legs coming up on my nose and on my cheeks. I would like to get rid of them, but Im afraid that it may all go wrong and I will be scarred for life I think mainly due to sun exposure although Ive been covering up now for many years. What should I do?

Posted by Jane on 15/07/2009 at 03:28:00 pm

I was told that some bruising would occur after have laser on the spider veins on my face but I didnt realise it would look so bad. My face is all swollen and has deep purple spots where treated just hope it works and the bruising has gone by next week when I am due to return to work. I have to say if I had realised it would look so bad I dont think I would have had it done.

Posted by Steve on 07/07/2009 at 01:11:00 pm

I've suffered from veins on my face for years, particularly around my nose. I've tried lasers and IPL's but all they did was burn me. I then came across Veinwave which uses a fine needle - it is practically painless but you see the results instantly - it is incredible. Have a look for yourselves on www.veinwave.com

Posted by Julie on 01/07/2009 at 04:13:00 pm

All the females in my family have them but being on my feet all day as a teacher seems to have made mine worse. I have so many around the back of my knees that it looks like huge purple bruises. I get so fed up at this time of year. I haven't worn skirts for about 10 years now, and I used to swim regularly - no chance now. Avon does a pen applicator that has def reduced the appearance but as soon as I stopped using it they came back. Good for a short fix.

Posted by louise on 25/06/2009 at 09:11:00 pm

I have thread veins on my face and legs but a tiny one on my leg keeps bleeding, my gp said not to worry and theres not much you can do, is this right? It aches sometimes too!

Posted by Anonymous on 06/06/2009 at 06:34:00 pm

i have had thread veins on my ankles, calfs and feet since the age of 18 and become increasingly conscious over the years and cannot wear skirts as they look very obvious. I have never found a cure, and worry about surgical procedures and do not think they would cover such a large area. I would appreciate comments on what to do, as it does affect my life in many ways

Posted by Sam on 18/05/2009 at 10:02:00 am

I had a few very noticeable thread veins, until i started using massaging the area where they were every morning... Not using any so called "miracle" creams, just ordinary baby oil... Really massaging it into the area where the thread veins were... Two weeks on, They have faded & are barely noticeable now! I'm not saying this will work for everyone, but it seems that by stimulating blood flow to the area, they seem to fade! Try it before spending money on surgery, after-all, baby oil only costs a few pounds!

Posted by lolly on 09/05/2009 at 03:13:00 am

when i was reading the book (home spa:pamper yourself naturally p;92)i found a treatment for the thread veins . ingredients: 1-(25ml)-glycerin 2-juice of( 1) lemon,strained 3-(1 drop) neroli essential oil 4-(1drop) rose essential oil. mix 1&2 together thoroughly,then add the oils.decant the liquid into a sterile bottle. moisten a cotton ball with toner and dab it, very gently,over the veins. hope it will work.

Posted by Tessa on 21/04/2009 at 05:30:00 pm

I have just had my 2nd laser treatment for facial veins, the 1st being a roaring success. Unfortunately I wish the same could be said about the latest. My face is like a balloon and I have weeping blisters on my cheeks, I have had to stay of work and don't know hoe long this will last. I spoke to the administiting Dr who told me "a week or so". My advice-Get a good make up and a light self tanning lotion for the face!

Posted by Emma on 21/04/2009 at 10:43:00 am

I have had a treament for my face at my local salon. It cost me

Posted by Mike on 13/04/2009 at 11:48:00 am

I have thread veins on the sides of my nose. I had laser treatment two years ago. The veins cleared but returned within a few weeks. I had a second treatment three months later: they cleared again but returned within a month. Since then they have spread slightly. I think I have a high pain threshold but the treatment still hurt enough to make my eyes water. The nurse had to stop a couple of times during the session. I am now trying different creams. I haven't found one that reduces them yet. They say they may be caused by alcohol. My father had them and he never touched a drop. I conclude I have inherited them.

Posted by dave on 30/03/2009 at 10:14:00 pm

i have face veins.what is the best treatment

Posted by Anonymous on 30/03/2009 at 05:44:00 pm

i too have them on my shoulders and upper abdomen - they only appeared last summer and have gotten worse - i am dreading the summer as i dont want to wear vess and do not want to go on holiday anymore as i cannot wear a bikini, they are making me feel v depressed - what is the cause of them?

Posted by annonomous on 16/03/2009 at 10:30:00 pm

could any one tell me which cream is best to use to reduce the apperance of thread viens

Posted by Anonymous on 10/03/2009 at 02:53:00 pm

I have tiny spider veins scattered all over my body .particulary my chest arms and shoulders are the worst. I hate this as they are so visible i am unable to wear vests and short sleaves in the summer. Could i have treatment on all these areas?and how much do you think this would cost?