Laser Thread Vein Removal Treatment
At A Glance
Pain Relief
none required
Duration
30min
After Treatment
some redness & sensitivity
Recovery Time
usually none
No. of Sessions
4-6 (1 per month)
Results Last
Years+
What are Thread Veins?
Thread veins, also known as spider veins, broken capillaries or telangiectasia, are enlarged visible vessels often seen on the face and legs. They look like red, purple or blue vessels that twist and turn below the skin surface. Popular treatment areas include the periorbital veins (veins under the eyes), nose veins, leg veins and other small vessels on the face. Thread veins over-grow in response to long-term skin inflammation, acne, hormones, sun exposure, trauma, alcohol and medication and do not serve any useful purpose in the skin. Thread veins can safely be removed using laser, also known as photothermolysis.
How does Laser Thread Veins treatment work?
At the Dr Tatiana Clinic in London, we use two laser platforms to treat thread veins: the ExcelV+ (532 and Nd:YAG lasers) and the Vbeam (Pulsed Dye Laser). The lasers target haemoglobin within blood vessels, heating the vessel up and causing it to break-down. Veins that are small and red are treated using the 532 or PDL lasers; veins that are blue or purple in colour are best treated using an Nd:YAG laser. Both platforms can specifically and permanently remove thread veins without affecting the surrounding skin. This ensures that laser thread vein removal is a very safe and effective treatment.
Before
After
Before
After
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s involved with Laser Thread Veins Removal ?
Will it work for me?
Do I need a patch-test?
How many Thread Vein Removal treatment sessions?
How long do results last?
Is Thread Vein Removal with Laser painful?
Any side-effects?
Who will do my treatment?
How to prepare?
All our laser treatments require a consultation and patch-test prior to full treatment. This enables you to ask any questions you may have, prepare your skin for the treatment and to try the laser out, so that you know what to expect during your treatment and recovery. The patch-test also enables us to identify which laser settings will work best for you.
On the day of your treatment your therapist will assess how your skin felt after the patch-test. After completing the consent form and photography, the therapist will clean the skin (so don’t worry if you have makeup on), give you special goggles to wear and carry out the treatment according to the settings we identified during your patch-test. After the treatment we will cool the skin and apply aftercare serums to promote skin healing and SPF to protect the skin. The skin may feel slightly hot, like a sunburn, after treatment. This resolves within 1-3 days. We recommend simple moisturisers and daily sunblock after treatment.
The ExcelV+ and Vbeam lasers are safe and effective for treating facial thread veins and small body thread veins, such as those on the legs. The treatments are suitable for any skin type.
Yes, we require a patch-test at least 48 hours prior to your treatment (even if you have had this treatment done previously elsewhere). The patch-test takes 10 minutes to do and can sometimes be done at your consultation appointment. We recommend stopping retinol 5 days prior and avoiding sun exposure 4 weeks prior patch-test.
For optimal results, most patients will require 1-3 sessions (approximately 1 session per month). In some circumstances, more sessions may be needed.
The results of this treatment are permanent. However, over time, new threadveins can develop due to factors such as sun exposure, oily skin, genetic predisposition and hormones.
Some people describe that the laser pulse feels like a rubber band flicking on the skin. It is not painful and you quickly get used to the rhythm of the laser. The lasers cool the skin using either cooled sapphire lenses or cryogen spray during treatment to minimise any discomfort. Anaesthetic is not generally required (or recommended).
There is some mild redness, swelling and skin sensitivity (like a mild sunburn) for 1-3 days after laser treatment. These side-effects are generally mild and most people will be able to continue with normal daily routines.
Laser treatments are carried out by our experienced skin therapists or doctors.
We recommend that you pause any treatments like retinol, tretinoin, glycolic or tetracycline antibiotics for 5-7 days prior treatment, as they make the skin more sensitive to light. We recommend that you do not tan for at least 4 weeks prior to and for at least 6 weeks after this treatment.
