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Treatment Options with Laser, Radiowave Surgery and Sclerotheapy
If you have a problem with thread/spider veins or ‘telangiectasias’ as they are medically described, at St Mellion Cosmetic Clinics we offer a range of non-surgical treatments to deal with this unsightly condition.
Thread or spider veins can be identified by the distended red and blue blood vessels just below the skin’s surface. They may appear as tiny blemishes or can cover large areas and look like bruising or inflammation of the skin which can make the patient particularly self-conscious. Most often they are found around the outer thigh and inner knee area and can appear on the calves and ankles as well as on the face, in which case you should refer to details of our laser treatments for facial thread veins and redness.
How and why such veins occur is unknown but they are most often an inherited condition. There are instances when thread veins occur as a result of some trauma to the skin such as deep bruising or surgery.
It is does also happen that thread veins are associated with varicose veins and it is important that such an underlying problem is identified prior to treatment to prevent any worsening of the condition. It is therefore recommended that the first step in the successful treatment of thread veins is for the patient to undergo a Doppler Ultrasound Scan to correctly identify the cause and intensity of the problem. Your surgeon can then make exact recommendations for a successful treatment programme that will give the desired result.
What are thread veins?
Thread veins, or spider veins are damaged veins and capillaries just below the skin. The medical term for spider veins is telangiectasia. Spider veins are often found on the face, body and legs. One
cause of thread veins is too much exposure to the elements and the sun. Another is pregnancy or oestrogen treatment. The smaller veins have a reddish appearance but larger ones can look purple and
unsightly; although unsightly, these veins are harmless and the majority of them can be successfully treated.
Using laser for treating Spider veins
Lasers can be used to treat these capillary veins on the face, body and legs, and would usually require a course of around 3 or 4 treatments. These several treatment requirements depend upon the
severity and density of the vessels. Intense Pulsed Light or IPL is directed at the problem area causing the vessel walls of the vein to collapse and be absorbed by the body. Effectively, the thread
vein appears to have vanished. Besides, laser vein treatment does not require needles/injections or incisions. Treatment time is about 20 to 30 minutes; again depending on the severity of the veins
and the size of the treated area. Laser treatment is so effective that you can have the procedure on your face in your lunch hour and return to work; in addition to combining it with other skin
rejuvenation procedures as part of a facial.
The laser procedure requires no anaesthesia or pain medication. However, short term side-effects can include slight reddening of the skin or local swelling which disappears in a few days; but normal
activities can be resumed immediately after the treatment.
Is laser treatment for me?
The choice of vein treatment depends upon determining the size, severity, and location of the affected veins. Depending on which blood vessels are involved, the veins will vary and there are a range
of options for each type. Consult your doctor for a thorough evaluation, so you could decide if laser treatment will be the best for you. Blood blisters or “haemangioma” respond very well to Laser
Vein Therapy, usually with just one treatment. Patients with port wine stains and other vascular lesions also benefit with laser vascular treatments. However, you will not be an ideal candidate if
you have a tendency to form keloid scars; since lasers directly contact the skin.
What to expect after the procedure?
Successful treatment depends on having an experienced operator, using the right type of laser machine. With successful procedure, the skin looks more smooth and youthful. It is worth noting, however,
that Laser vein removal does not prevent new veins from forming. If new veins appear over time, further treatment may be needed to prolong the results of previous treatment.
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