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.
There is no known single cause for leg 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.
Our clinic offers Microsclerotherapy which is currently considered the most effective treatment for the removal of leg thread veins. The procedure involves careful assessment of the client’s venous system within the affected leg using ultrasound. Once the superficial and the deep venous systems have been defined Microsclerotherapy is performed by inserting “Fibrovein” using a fine needle into the target veins. This damages the veins, preventing further blood flow (which is re- directed back to the deeper veins). The damaged veins are broken down over a period of weeks following treatment before being naturally eliminated by the body. Typically, three treatments are required three months apart. It can take between 12-18 months to experience optimal results.
Possible side effects include bruising, swelling, blistering and pigmentation. For the majority of clients’ side effects resolve within two weeks following treatment.
There is no downtime associated with this procedure, normal day to day activities can be resumed straightaway following treatment.
The procedure is performed by Dr Baba, a highly trained and experienced aesthetic doctor who is also a senior trainer for this procedure at London Aesthetic Academy (www.londonaestheticacademy.co.uk)