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THREAD VEIN REMOVAL

What are thread veins?

Thread veins are tiny veins that appear most commonly on the cheeks, nose and legs. Small thread veins are red, but larger ones look purplish. They have many names, including:

spider veins
broken veins (not an accurate name, because they are not actually broken)
capillary veins

Are thread veins and varicose veins the same thing?

Varicose veins differ from thread veins in a number of ways. Varicose veins are larger - usually more than a quarter-inch in diameter, darker in colour and tend to bulge. Varicose veins are also more likely to cause pain and be related to more serious vein disorders. For some patients, sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose veins. However, often surgical treatment is necessary for this condition.

What causes thread veins?

Thread veins may well be caused by and associated with a lifestyle; exposure to the elements; heavy physical work; long time standing etc. or by natural processes within the human frame, such as pregnancy. Alcohol intake has some influence on the facial vessels and inherited skin types will be a factor. If you have large visible veins on the legs, they could be varicose veins.

Nonetheless whatever the cause the effect is the same - unwanted red or blue veins near the surface of the skin that you do not like. On the whole the vessels do no harm. They are just unsightly. Often they increase in number over the years.

What are the treatment options for thread veins?

Small veins which are smaller than 2mm diameter respond well to laser treatment. Medium veins (larger than 2mm diameter) are best treated by a method called sclerotherapy. Larger veins i.e. varicose veins may require surgery.

LASER

Lasers are machines that produce extremely powerful light. The light has a distinct wavelength and it is upon that wavelength that the effect of the laser depends.

When the laser light us aimed at the thread veins the energy in the light is absorbed by the blood in the vessels and is converted into heat. The heat damages the inside of the vein wall and solidifies the blood in the vessel. The vessel then gradually disappears. Some may go instantly but not all of them. Vessels up to 3mm in diameter may be treated this way.

No Anaesthetic is needed. All you feel is a short of sharp sting, a bit like the ping from an elastic band hitting the skin. The laser does not need a needle and no entry into the vessel is required. It is much more accurate with very fine veins than injectable methods. The laser can treat broken and thread veins and small haemangiomas (overgrowth of blood vessels) and spider veins anywhere on the body. It is also exceptionally effective on strawberry birthmarks and port-wine stains. The laser treatment of thread veins is effective and should be long lasting. Some areas of the cheek and the nose may be very pink in colour though no definite single veins or broken vessels are visible. These areas of pinkness can also be treated using the laser, which is particularly effective. Discolouration in scars can also be reduced by using the laser.

SCLEROTHERAPY

Sclerotherapy is a safe and well established treatment for thread veins on the legs. Although there are a number of alternative treatments, it remains the most reliably successful of them all.

A solution called FibroveinT is injected with a very tiny needle, very superficially into the veins, causing the lining of the vein to swell and become sticky. Compression is then applied to close the veins. Over a period of time the vein will heal closed and fade away. Sclerotherapy is a relatively simple procedure that requires no anesthesia, so it will be performed in an outpatient setting, most likely your doctor's office.

Who are the best candidates for Scelotherapy?

Women of any age may be good candidates for sclerotherapy, but most fall in the 30-to-60 category. In some women, thread veins may become noticeable very early on - in the teen years. For others, the veins may not become obvious until they reach their 40s.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may be advised to postpone sclerotherapy treatment. In most cases, spider veins that surface during pregnancy will disappear on their own within three months after the baby is born. Also, because it's not known how sclerosing solutions may affect breast milk, nursing mothers are usually advised to wait until after they have stopped breastfeeding. Spider veins in men aren't nearly as common as they are in women. Men who do have spider veins often don't consider them to be a cosmetic problem because the veins are usually concealed by hair growth on the leg. However, sclerotherapy is just as effective for men who seek treatment.

What are the risks of Scelotherapy?

The sclerotherapy works well for patients with isolated varicose veins and thread veins. It is less satisfactory for short veins above the knee than below the knee, since they are more difficult to compress. Complications of scelotherapy include - ulceration (sclerosant injected outside the vein ), thrombophlebitis ( inflammation and thus pain in the injected vein), skin pigmentation in the injected site ( this usually fades ), and deep vein thrombosis.

What to expect from Scelotherapy?

Sclerotherapy can enhance your appearance and your self confidence, but it's unrealistic to believe that every affected vein will disappear completely as a result of treatment. After each sclerotherapy session, the veins will appear lighter. Two or more sessions are usually required to achieve optimal results. You should also be aware that the procedure treats only those veins that are currently visable; it does nothing to permanently alter the venous system or prevent new veins from surfacing in the future. The results achieved after one treatment vary considerably from one client to another. You should budget for up to 4 treatments, 4-16 weeks apart and you can expect an improvement in their appearance of 60-80%. The good news is that once the veins are gone you won't have to follow up for 3-5 years.