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 and
- capillary veins.
Normally, the tiny veins in the skin are invisible, but in some people they expand and show through the skin. One cause of this is too much exposure to the sun over the years. Another is pregnancy or oestrogen treatment. They may also be inherited. Thread veins can sometimes be a sign of rosacea a skin condition, or can result from overuse of steroid creams. Thread veins are more obvious after mid-life, when the skin becomes thinner and loses some of its collagen.
How Does it Work?
The veins are treated one by one with a very fine needle that passes a high frequency microwave directly into the vein. The heat destroys the wall and content of the capillaries. The needle is so fine it cannot be felt entering the skin as it is insulated. Initial results can be seen immediately after the treatment, but up to 4 sessions will be required for the final result.
How Long Does it Take?
A typical session lasts 10 – 15 minutes and 40 – 50cm of thread veins can be treated in that time and on any part of the body. As the treatment does not cause loss of pigmentation, it can also be used on any type of skin complexion.
After the Treatment.
It leaves no bruising, instead there can be small red marks which then become microcrusts, or scratches. These will be gone in a couple of days. No bandaging is required and patients can resume their everyday activities immediately.There is no risk of complications and the treatment is safe, quick and pain-free.
Veinwave is not suitable for anyone with a pacemaker, or who is pregnant, or epileptic.