What are Thread Veins?
Thread Veins are commonly occurring skin blemishes that are very receptive to diathermy treatment. I meet many clients that are truly affected by the appearance of thread veins so for me this treatment supports not only the appearance of the blemish but the way in which my client feels as they can often be hard to conceal.
Facial thread veins present as a permanent dilation of capillaries visible under rhe epidermis. They are also known as broken capillaries, thread veins and broken veins and usually found in more exposed areas of the skin like the nose, cheeks and chin.
The generic term for all red veins, including spider naevi, blood spots and cherry angiomas is telangietasia.
Why do we get them?
During the ageing process capillaries lose their elasticity, becoming permanently dilated. This results in permanent vasodilation and the charateristic appearance of little blood lines, which are usually red but can appear darker as they get wider and deeper.
The causes of facial thread veins are many and varied and can occur across all ages. During the consultation process we will try to identify the cause of your facial thread veins so we can discuss the treatment and aftercare plan that will work for you and ways in which we can prevent as much as possible moving forward.
Possible causes could be but are not limited to:
Acne Rosacea
Ageing
Alcohol
Allergies
Chemical peels
Childbirth
Circulatory Disorders
Diabetes
Diet
Exercise
Genetics
Medication
Menopause
Physical Trauma
The potential rate & success of thread vein treatment
I always advise my client to have realistic expectations for any treatment. Remembering that if for instance thread veins are caused by excessive exposure to wind and rain (maybe if you are an outdoor worker) then the likelihood is you will continue to get thread veins and it will simply be a case of managing them.
Although the ones worked on are banished during treatment it does not mean that a new one will not appear tomorrow. Much of the success of treatment relies on the aftercare and advice given to you following treatment.
Generally there is 60-80% improvement in the appearance of facial red veins.
How long does it take to remove them?
I book out 10 minute sessions to work on the skin at a time. This is so the skin does not become over sensitised or reactive. if my client has one visible vein or just a view then often one session is all thats needed, however, of there are multiple thread veins in mulitple areas then subsequent sessions will be recommended with a period of time for the skin to heal sufficiently inbetween.
My clinics are held weekly at EM Skin Clinic in Colchester, Essex and you can book online for your intial consultation here.