Thread Vein Removal
Thread Vein Removal can be done one of two ways at Laserase Bolton. Our treatments are effective and safe and we have many years of experience removing thread veins.
Thread veins, sometimes called spider veins or “telangiectaesia” are the small red or blue veins which can appear at various sites on the body.
What causes thread veins?
Some people are more likely to develop thread veins than others. While there’s no exact cause, there’s a variety of factors that can cause thread veins, these include:
- Wind and extremes of temperature
- Steroid Creams
- Changes in hormonal balance.
- Genetic reasons
- Sun Exposure
- Injuries
- Pregnancy
- Age
- Lack of Movement
Can you remove them permanently?
Yes, we offer two different treatments at Laserase Bolton for thread vein removal.
Laser and Microsclerotherapy are both effective in the treatment of thread veins. We can perform both treatments as either a stand-alone treatment, or a combination of the two.
The treatment you have will depend on the size of the veins and where they are on the body.
The thread veins that we treat with the laser will not come back, however, thread veins can still appear in other areas.
What treatments do you offer?
Microsclerotherapy
We use this technique to treat thread veins on the legs. It’s a straightforward procedure which involves injecting a liquid into the veins.
Laser Treatment
For laser treatment, we use either the long pulsed ND:Yag laser, AFT 570 or AFT 540 Intense Pulse Light, all of which are very efficient for thread vein removal.
Microsclerotherapy FAQs
Microsclerotherapy is the technique used to treat spider veins or thread veins of the legs. It is a relatively straightforward procedure which involves injecting a liquid into the veins, this destroys them and causes them to disappear over time.
This thread vein removal treatment is an outpatient procedure that involves a series of microinjections. These microinjections usually contain a concentrate of salt water or other sclerosing agents.
Most patients who have microsclerotherapy for thread vein removal report some mild discomfort.
To minimise pain, we mix the concentrated salt solution with a local anaesthetic before injection.
After treatment, the injection sites look rather like insect bites, but these subside quickly. Tiny scabs may form at the injection site and the treated area will appear bruised. The bruising may last for 2-3 weeks.
8 – 12 weeks after your first appointment, the remaining veins can be re-injected to reduce them further.
Most patients will see an improvement after just one session.
However, you may need repeat treatments at 6-10 weekly intervals. This usually results in a further reduction in the number and prominence of the veins.
The total number of sessions each person will need will differ. The exact number of treatments will depend on the extent and density of the thread veins.
On average, many patients will usually only require three sessions.
Complications are rare but can occur:
Following treatment, some patients develop a brown discolouration of the skin. This brown discolouration usually fades over time, however, it can take a long time to fade away or, in very rare cases, can even be permanent.
Much rarer complications include:
- Allergic reactions to the sclerosing solution
- Inflammation and skin injury which may lead to the development of a small ulcer and permanent scar.
Treatment around the ankle:
The area around the ankle is more likely to have complications than other areas.
Pregnancy
For the reasons above, we ask pregnant or breastfeeding ladies to postpone treatment.
Medications
We will usually advise patients taking certain medications (such as anticoagulants) against microsclerotherapy.
All clients receive a comprehensive medical evaluation and post treatment advice. This is to minimise any risk of complications.
As with all medical treatments, it is possible that not everyone will respond to treatment. Some patients may obtain a less than average response or may not respond at all.
It is suitable for use on thread veins on the legs or body, provided they are beneath the heart.
In order to check eligibility, you’ll need to have a consultation with a qualified practitioner.
The cost of the treatment is dependent upon the area treated. Whilst we may give you an approximate cost, the actual cost will given within the consultation appointment.
Laser Treatment FAQs
Lasers produce light of a very specific wavelength. We match the wavelength to a target colour (such as the red of blood or the vessel wall).
The target absorbs the laser light but not the surrounding tissue. The heat energy from the laser pulses breaks down the thread veins into tiny particles.
These particles are then naturally dispersed in the body. The veins will then fade or disappear over several weeks.
The laser fires in short bursts at the thread veins. This feels like a hot pin-prick on the skin and some patients may find this a little uncomfortable.
During treatment we will cool the target area will in order to reduce sensation. Following treatment, we will apply aloe vera or Vaseline to reduce risk of blistering.
Immediately after treatment:
Straight after treatment, the majority of treated veins are likely to be more visible.
In the case of thicker veins, there may be some skin reaction in the form of slight blistering or light crusting. This usually subsides within a few days.
Fine facial veins can sometimes disappear at the time of treatment, although this isn’t the same for every patient.
Any discolouration/bruising usually fades after 7-14 days.
The number of treatments required will depend upon the site and the extent of the affected area. We will estimate the number of treatments you will need at your consultation.
As with all medical treatments, it’s possible that not everyone will respond to treatment. Some patients may obtain a less than average response or may not respond at all.
In general, laser therapy is safe and effective. Whilst complications do sometimes occur, the risk of scarring is very low.
Complications may include:
- Blistering
- Fine crusting (particularly on very fine vessels)
- Scarring
- Ulceration
- Loss of skin pigment or increased pigmentation.
These complications usually disappear with time. While our clients have never experienced it, some complications can be permanent.
Treatment around the ankle:
The area around the ankle is more likely to have complications than other areas. It is very important that you give details of any medication you are taking and any medical problems you have which may be relevant to the treatment. We do not recommend treatment in patients who are heavily tanned.
Not all thread veins respond to laser therapy as they may be too large or situated too deeply within the skin for the laser to penetrate. In these cases, microsclerotherapy may be more effective.
In order to check eligibility, you’ll need to have a consultation with a qualified practitioner.
The cost of the treatment is dependent upon the area treated. Whilst we may give you an approximate cost, the actual cost will given within the consultation appointment.
