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Spider Vein Treatment
Thread veins or spider veins
Thread veins also known as spider veins because of the spidery way they cross the skin are a common issue and are harmless. They are more common in women particularly after pregnancy but tend to occur, as we get older.
The medical term for them is telangiectasia and they are very simply enlarged veins which are visible at the surface of the skin.
Once spider veins have appeared, they tend not to disappear. Medically they are considered to be harmless, but many people do want to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons and to stop them from getting worse.
Cosmedics offer two treatment options for thread veins:
- Laser treatment – ideal for the treatment of smaller spider veins on the legs
- Sclerotherapy injections – recommended for larger thread veins
Leg Thread Veins Laser Therapy
Laser treatment is ideal for the treatment of smaller spider veins on the legs.
Laser treatment involves the careful administration of intense pulses of laser light to shrink and destroy the tiny red blood vessels at the skin’s surface. It is an intense but very quick burst of heat, which has been described by some as feeling like having an elastic band snapped against the skin. The local anaesthetic gel can be used if necessary or for larger treatment areas.
If they become too large for laser treatment, then sclerotherapy injections are a better choice. These are also available from our team of doctors, so there is normally no need to arrange a second appointment. You will be given open and honest advice about which sort of treatment is most appropriate at your consultation.
Sometimes a course of treatment is necessary to achieve the maximum results, although significant improvement can normally be seen in just one session and this may be enough depending on the severity of veins being treated.
Sclerotherapy Injections
Leg Vein Injections
Sclerotherapy injections work to destroy the vein so that it breaks down and is not visible at the skin’s surface. These are suitable for larger veins on the legs, where the laser is less effective.
At your consultation, you will be advised on the best course of treatment to suit you.
Key Points:
- Ideal for: blue, purple red thread veins, thighs, backs of knees and lower legs
- Not for while pregnant or breastfeeding or taking regular aspirin.
- Pre-care: no recent tan, buy support tights or stockings (class 2 tightness) to cover required areas required or ask the chemist for support stockings
- Treatment schedule: consultation first and 3-4 treatment sclerotherapy (injection) sessions in most cases 4-6 weeks apart.
- The procedure by a doctor
- What to expect after: need to wear support tights for a week, bruising for 2-3 weeks, no heavy exercise for 5 days
- Cost: from £300 per session
Treatment Benefits
Time
Recovery
Results
Duration
Before and after photos
Leg Thread Vein Treatment costs
| Thread Vein Removal costs per session | Cost |
|---|---|
| Leg thread vein removal sclerotherapy injections | from £300 |
| Laser leg thread vein removal | from £350 |
| Haemangiomas/blood blisters/red dots on the body | from £350 |
| Consultation* | £75* |
Thread Vein Consultation
The cost of consultation with our doctors is £75. This is redeemable against the cost of treatment carried out on the same day.
Prices are a guide to the costs and the exact price can only be determined once the doctor has examined you in person.
Call 0207 386 0464 OR email enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk for advice and help.
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FAQ's
Leg Thread Vein Treatment FAQ: Questions & Answers
They tend to arrive with age – over 70% of women over 70 have thread veins – and although they can have no apparent cause a tendency to thread veins seems to be an inherited trait. They can also be associated with hormonal changes and exposure to the sun, wind and cold.
The treatment is designed to tackle prominent, visible veins that can appear on the legs. These may be bluish, red or purple in colour.
Patients often experience some redness afterwards from a few days to 1-2 weeks according to how many veins are needed to be treated and those with fairer skin types typically take a bit longer to recover.
Lots of moisturising is advised afterwards and application of sunblock is important to protect skin after the treatment.
The thread veins will shrink back after treatment, leaving clearer skin so that you can feel free to show off your legs.
Occasionally a few treatment sessions are required to get optimal results normally about a month apart. The results can last for up to a few years before the natural skin effects mean that sometimes they recur or new veins appear due to the skins natural tendency to form these veins. At this point, further treatment can be arranged if necessary to tackle any new veins.
Occasionally you get some bruising and redness which settles in a week or so. Rarely some light brown marks can be left where the vein once was, but this normally settles.
In most cases ‘yes’.
To ensure long-lasting results it is important to note that clients who have leg sclerotherapy treatment should wear compression class 2 stockings for a minimum of 48-hour post-treatment but can be worn for up to 1-month post-treatment.
These are soon to be available to purchase at our Putney clinic or online but can also be purchased at chemists.
Expect the normal sensation of an injection – a mild scratch-like discomfort that is over in seconds.
Treatment prices start at £300, but this would be confirmed at your consultation with the doctor. It is important to note that sometimes more than one session is required to get long-lasting results and sometimes a maintenance session is required.
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