Spider veins, also known as thread veins, appear as a network of tiny red, bluish or purple veins. They are most commonly found on the face and are the result of broken or damaged veins just under the surface of the skin.
Whilst most patients seek treatment for cosmetic reasons, which is completely understandable, we see this as the first visible stage of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), given the underlying health issues often associated with vein disease.
While spider veins may be unsightly and annoying, the good news is that treatments are available if you want to remove them.
Much like the larger varicose or ‘trunk’ veins, spider veins are caused by blood vessels in the skin becoming permanently dilated. This dilatation occurs when the muscular walls of vessels relax and widen. In the medical field, this process is referred to as ‘vasodilation’.
A number of biological, lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to the development and spread of spider veins on the face and nose. People over the age of 40 and women are more vulnerable, but men and people as young as 20 can also develop spider veins.
Vein disease is also more common among people leading a sedentary lifestyle or living in areas with prolonged periods of cold weather (the heat we expose our bodies to during winter can cause vasodilation).
In terms of lifestyle, frequent alcohol consumption may lead to a higher risk of spider veins, as alcohol temporarily dilates blood vessels. Excessive sun exposure is also known to enlarge blood vessels and draw them closer to the skin, and this cannot be countered by wearing sunscreen.
Lastly, pregnancy-related hormonal changes may also cause broken vessels, but these usually disappear after birth.
Spider veins cannot be prevented altogether, as their development obeys a number of biological factors, including genetics. However, it is possible to slow their spread by maintaining a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
While there are a number of approaches to removing spider veins on the face, the best way to treat them is a process known as ‘thermal coagulation.’ In short, the process involves collapsing and sealing the damaged veins so that they are naturally reabsorbed into the body. Our sister company Dr Newmans Clinic uses a specific form of this treatment known as Veinwave.
Veinwave, also known as ‘Thermavein’, is a micro thermal coagulation procedure that removes smaller spider veins. The procedure is completely non-invasive, and simply involves applying a precisely targeted source of heat to seal and gently remove these thread veins on your face.
The procedure is virtually painless, as it is performed under local anaesthetic. Veinwave involves putting a very fine needle into only the affected veins, meaning that the surrounding tissue remains undamaged. Patients report that, at most, they have feel a little pinch or scratch, similar to the sensation of a vaccination or a hair being pulled out
Your primary appointment will last 1 hour with treatment typically taking around 30 minutes. Most facial thread veins require a minimum of 2-3 treatments to get optimal results. There is no downtime, and it is not necessary for you to arrange someone to pick you up after treatment, even if you’ve just received treatment for spider veins on the legs.
Your first step will be to meet a specialist doctor at our clinic for a primary appointment. During your appointment, the doctor will conduct a thorough analysis of your skin and make sure you fully understand your treatment options.
The procedure itself only takes around half an hour, after which you can continue with your day. A member of our team will then be in touch with you to discuss the number of treatments required and talk through packages available to you and get you booked in for your next session.
Your primary appointment which includes a full diagnostic assessment of your skin and your first treatment will cost £549 in our London, Manchester, Cambridge, Exeter, Birmingham and Reading clinics. For all other clinics, the primary appointment costs £499.
Depending on your treatment recommendation, we have a number of package deals available to help you through your journey cost effectively, with discounts of up to 22.5% off. Speak to our team to learn more about what this might look like for you.
In order to get started, you should book your primary appointment with our team by clicking on the link below:
Unfortunately no home remedies are effective for treating spider veins. Although some less-reputable sources on the internet may suggest things such as apple cider vinegar, horse chestnut, vitamin C or coconut oil, none of these ‘treatments’ will actually make spider veins go away.
While creams may be used to help cover up spider veins and make them less visible, none of them will actually treat the veins themselves. Retinoid cream, for example, contains two substances (tretinoin and a form of vitamin A known as retinyl) that work together to boost cell regeneration and collagen production. These substances thicken the skin, which makes the spider veins less visible. However, the damaged veins will still be there and will reappear when the effects of the cream wear off.
Absolutely. The only downside, as with creams, is that this is a temporary solution. A coloured concealer may effectively cover spider veins on the face and shouldn’t have any directly negative effects. Having the veins treated and removed is simply a more permanent and lower maintenance solution.
Unfortunately not. As spider veins are damaged veins just under the surface of the skin, they are going to stay there until they're treated in some way. And as whatever caused the damage in the first place is likely to still be a factor, spider veins have a tendency to get worse over time rather than disappearing on their own.
While laser treatments are available for spider veins, they are less effective than Veinwave and may come with some risks. Veinwave is a very specific and localised treatment that doesn’t damage or affect the surrounding tissue. Laser treatments come with a slight risk of discolouring or damaging the surrounding skin, which is one of the reasons that Veinwave is considered a more effective treatment.
You can have your diagnostic assessment with us at any stage during pregnancy, but we recommend waiting until after the birth to undertake treatment.
Take our 2-minute self-assessment to find out how you could benefit from a varicose vein treatment
We're pleased to be able to provide our world-class spider vein treatment in a variety of places throughout the United Kingdom. Learn more about your treatment options, including Microsclerotherapy and Veinwave treatment, at the clinic closest to you
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