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Varicose veins are a common problem, affecting up to 1 in 3 adults in their lifetime. They are usually a sign of an underlying venous insufficiency.
Thread veins can appear anywhere on the body but are mostly evidenced on the legs and face. They are more common than varicose veins, affecting up to 80% of adults.
Leg ulcers appear as broken skin in the lower leg or feet. We have been successfully treating venous leg ulcers for over 20 years.
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The below content has been medically reviewed and approved by Vein Specialist Mrs Helen Burndred at Veincentre.
Last reviewed 1st October 2022.
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Spider veins on the face are broken blood vessels, but you will most likely hear them be referred to as ‘spider veins’. Spider veins form in the face when the capillaries in the skin become dilated, enlarged, and emerge just below the surface of the skin.
Thread veins on the face are a different matter to those on the legs. They do not require scanning and are best treated by thermocoagulation (AKA Thermavein™, the brand name of the machine used to perform thermocoagulation).
The most common reasons for spider veins on the face are damaged, aging skin and poor blood circulation, as well as prolonged exposure to the sun, weather changes, pregnancy, genetics and alcohol consumption. However, there are many other reasons why this may occur, and they can develop at any age.
There is not a huge amount you can do to minimise the chances of developing facial thread veins. However, you can do the following to help reduce the likelihood of developing facial thread veins. These include avoiding weather extremes (hot or cold) and using SPF sun cream to protect yourself. If you do find spider veins on your face after a day in the sun, a cold compress can reduce the redness.
Thermocoagulation is the best treatment to treat thread veins on the face.
Thermavein uses a microscopic needle to penetrate the skin just over the thread vein, administering heat to close it off. You will feel a slight pricking sensation as the needle goes in and as the energy is delivered. Several treatment sessions may be required – after each, the treated veins disappear instantly, and you can go back to normal activities without restrictions. However, there will be a degree of redness and inflammation around the treated areas. This should settle within several days although could take up to a few weeks.
Microsclerotherapy should not be used to treat facial thread veins.
At Veincentre, we offer thermocoagulation at all of our clinics. Find your nearest clinic here.
Here you can read our treatment pathway for facial thread vein treatment (via thermocoagulation) at Veincentre.
At your consultation, your nurse will examine the area with a polarised light to determine the recommended treatment. On average, for facial thread veins, most people require 1 to 3 treatments. Leg thread veins may require around 3 to 5 treatments to achieve the desired result. We will assess your specific needs at this appointment.
Treatment can be booked to directly follow your consultation, if arranged at the time of booking. Please note that we cannot 100% guarantee treatment until you have been assessed in person. Treatments take around half an hour, depending on the number of veins you have. We recommend a minimum of 4 weeks between treatment appointments.
Depending on the extent of your facial thread veins, you may need to return for further treatment.
