Thread veins, often called spider veins, are small, thin, yet visible veins located just beneath the surface of the skin. They appear when blood vessels become permanently dilated due to various causes such as trauma, extended exposure to sunlight, or hormonal fluctuations.

Although vein-related conditions are often associated with the legs and feet, thread veins can also develop on the face, hands, and arms.

While these veins are usually harmless and primarily a cosmetic issue, it is important to be aware that they can sometimes indicate underlying venous problems. In such cases, individuals might experience symptoms like swelling, throbbing, itching, or discomfort in the affected areas.

Anyone with thread/spider veins or unsightly red veins will benefit from this treatment as it will improve the appearance of your veins. Although this treatment is effective for most patients with thread veins, it may not be suitable for everyone.

You should avoid ThermaVein® if you:

• Suffer from infectious skin conditions
• Are pregnant
• Are epileptic
• Have a pacemaker
• Take anti-coagulants
• Have fake tan product on the skin

We can treat patients with rosacea, but they potentially need some topical treatment first to make treatment more effective – this will be assessed at your initial appointment.

The probe used for treatment is nickel based and therefore is not suitable for those with a nickel allergy – please discuss this at your consultation as gold-based probes are available.

Often thread (spider) veins are diagnosed through a visual examination by your Consultant. For a diagnosis of the cause of these veins, you will require an ultrasound of the affected area at your initial consultation.

Ultrasound is sometimes used to rule out venous insufficiency and diagnose varicose veins, which if left untreated can cause make the treatment ineffective and cause thread veins to reoccur. The main treatment for leg thread veins is injection micro-sclerotherapy. Ultrasound is not used on the face for diagnosis.

ThermaVein® offers a straightforward and precise treatment. During the procedure, a single-use probe – about the size of a human hair – is gently applied to the skin over the affected vein. Your Consultant will exert light pressure to empty the vein before delivering a microburst of thermal energy, which seals the vein. As the vein is closed, blood is naturally absorbed by the body, making the vein invisible and eventually non-existent.

The procedure typically takes up to 30 minutes depending on how many thread veins are present, and most patients report minimal discomfort – it can sometimes be described as the feeling of a ‘hair being plucked’.

It is important to remember that individual veins always need more than one treatment for the best results. On average, this is usually one to three treatment sessions but can be more to effectively reduce or eliminate visible veins.

The number of treatments required to achieve optimal results can vary significantly from patient to patient. This depends on the extent and severity of the thread or spider veins being treated. Some individuals may see improvements after just one treatment, while others may need up to six or more sessions. This will be discussed in your initial consultation.

Following your first ThermaVein® treatment, you will notice the gradual fading and eventual disappearance of the red thread veins. While the skin may feel warm immediately after the procedure, this sensation should subside quickly, although individual reactions can differ based on skin type. There is an immediate inflammatory reaction/redness which in the majority lasts one to three days, sometimes a week, very rarely two to three weeks.

Post-treatment redness is common and usually diminishes within the day. However, for some individuals, it may persist slightly longer depending on their skin’s sensitivity. In the days following the procedure, the treated area may feel dry, and small crusts may form as the body begins to absorb the sealed veins. If additional treatments are necessary, particularly for the face, it is recommended to wait at least 28 days before proceeding with another session.

You can view the cost of ThermaVein® treatments in the Varicose veins section of our pricing page.