Frequently Asked Questions

What are thread veins?

Thread veins, also called spider veins, are tiny prominent veins just below the skin surface. They tend to branch and give a spidery sort of pattern hence their common name. Spider veins can occur anywhere on the body but most often on the legs and face.

Where do they appear on the face?

The nose and cheek area are the most common areas on the face to be affected by thread veins.

What causes thread veins?

There is no known single cause for face thread veins. However, contributory factors include genetics, ageing, loss of elasticity in skin, hormonal changes (i.e. during pregnancy and menopause) excessive exposure to the sun, wind or extreme temperatures, cortico-steroid medicines and radiotherapy.

How can facial thread veins be treated?

• Short wave diathermy: Short wave diathermy can effectively eliminate 95% of thread veins and spider veins on the face. After numbing the treatment with a local anaesthetic, an electrical current is passed through the vein using a fine needle. The electrical current cauterises the blood vessel and over the course of a few weeks it disintegrates. Following treatment redness and puffiness may occur in the treated area, this can take a few hours up to a few days to settle. Clients are reviewed between 4 and 6 weeks post treatment when repeat treatment may be administered if necessary.
• Laser treatment: Vascular laser treatment is indicated when short wave diathermy is not effective or there are wide spread facial thread veins. The laser light is absorbed by the blood vessels without affecting the surrounding skin. It heats the blood within the targeted vessels to the point where it coagulates thereby causing the vessels to break down. Within several weeks following treatment the damaged veins gradually dissolve before being naturally eliminated by the body. More than one treatment session may be required. After treatment, redness and puffiness may occur in the treated area, this may take a few hours to a few days to settle. Clients are reviewed between 4 and 6 weeks post treatment when repeat treatment may be administered if necessary.