Thread veins, also known as spider veins, are small visible blood vessels that can appear on the legs, face and other areas of the body. They are usually harmless, but they can be surprisingly noticeable and may make some people feel self-conscious about wearing shorts, skirts, swimwear or going without make-up.

If you are looking for ways to hide thread veins, there are several cosmetic options that can make them less visible temporarily. However, camouflage is different from treatment: make-up and self-tan can disguise the appearance of veins, but they do not remove the underlying blood vessels.

If you are tired of covering them up, modern thread vein removal treatments can offer a longer-term solution. The most appropriate treatment depends on where the veins are located, their colour and size, and how deep they sit beneath the skin.

Can You Hide Thread Veins?

Yes. The visibility of thread veins can sometimes be reduced with make-up, body make-up or self-tanning products.

How effective these methods are depends on the colour and size of the veins. Very fine red facial veins may be easier to cover with concealer, while more prominent blue or purple veins on the legs can be more difficult to disguise completely.

It is also worth remembering that these approaches are cosmetic camouflage rather than treatment. The veins remain underneath the skin and will still be visible once the product wears off.

How to Hide Thread Veins on Your Legs

Leg thread veins are often blue, purple or reddish and can appear as individual lines or branching networks, particularly around the thighs, knees, calves and ankles.

Use body make-up or camouflage

High-coverage body make-up can be useful when you want to cover visible veins for a particular occasion, such as a holiday, wedding or event.

Choose a product designed for the body rather than an ordinary facial foundation if you need greater coverage or durability. Apply it gradually and blend the edges carefully so that the covered area does not look noticeably different from the surrounding skin.

Water-resistant formulations may be preferable if you are going to be outside or wearing swimwear.

For more significant skin camouflage, the NHS also provides guidance on applying specialist camouflage products, including advice on preparing the skin and applying the product evenly.

Try a self-tan

A gradual self-tan can make pale skin darker and may reduce the contrast between the skin and visible blue or purple veins.

This can be particularly useful for the legs during summer or when wearing clothing that leaves more skin exposed.

Apply self-tan evenly and allow it to develop according to the product instructions. Avoid applying it unevenly around the veins, as patchy colour can sometimes make areas of the skin more noticeable rather than less.

Self-tan should be regarded as camouflage only. It does not improve the underlying veins.

How to Hide Facial Thread Veins

Facial thread veins and broken capillaries can be particularly frustrating because they are difficult to conceal completely with ordinary foundation.

They commonly appear around the nose, cheeks and chin, where the skin is relatively thin and the small blood vessels can be clearly visible.

Use concealer and colour correction

For isolated facial thread veins, a good concealer may provide enough coverage.

A green-toned colour corrector can sometimes help neutralise the appearance of red areas before applying foundation, although the result depends on the individual vein and the surrounding skin tone.

Heavy layers of foundation are not always the best solution. They can look less natural and may still fail to completely cover a prominent vein.

For people who regularly need to cover facial veins, treating the veins themselves may ultimately be a more practical option.

Does Make-Up Remove Thread Veins?

No.

Make-up, concealer and specialist camouflage products can hide the appearance of thread veins, but they cannot close or remove the dilated blood vessels.

The same applies to self-tan. It can alter the contrast between the skin and the veins, but it does not treat the veins themselves.

There is currently no cream, oil or cosmetic product that can reliably remove an established thread vein. If a visible vein has been present for months or years, it is unlikely to disappear simply through skincare or home remedies.

Can Lifestyle Changes Prevent Thread Veins?

Some factors associated with thread veins cannot be controlled, including genetics and ageing. Hormonal changes can also play a role, particularly during pregnancy and menopause.

For facial thread veins, protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure is sensible. Sun damage can contribute to visible facial blood vessels, so regular broad-spectrum sunscreen and sensible sun protection are worthwhile as part of general skin care.

However, lifestyle measures should not be presented as a way of removing veins that are already established.

If you already have visible thread veins, the most effective way to reduce them is usually to have the vessels assessed and choose an appropriate treatment.

What Treatments Can Remove Thread Veins?

If you are fed up with disguising your thread veins, there are several established treatment options.

The right choice depends on the location, colour, size and depth of the veins. There is no single treatment that is best for every type of thread vein.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment is commonly used for fine facial veins, broken capillaries and smaller thread veins.

The laser delivers targeted energy to the blood vessel. The energy is absorbed by the blood within the vessel, causing it to heat and close. The body then gradually clears the treated vessel.

Laser treatment is particularly useful for facial thread veins because it does not require injections into the tiny vessels. The London Vein Treatment Centre uses laser treatment for suitable facial and leg thread veins.

Microsclerotherapy

For leg thread veins, particularly blue or purple vessels, microsclerotherapy is often an effective option.

A very fine needle is used to introduce a sclerosing solution directly into the vein. This causes the vessel to close and gradually disappear as the body clears it.

Microsclerotherapy is particularly suited to leg veins and can be used for the thighs, calves, knees and ankles.

Find out more about microsclerotherapy for leg thread veins →

Microcautery

Microcautery uses a very fine device to deliver a short burst of heat to a small surface blood vessel.

It can be particularly useful for fine facial veins and smaller thread veins, and in some cases a good result can be achieved in a single session.

Laser or Microsclerotherapy: Which Is Best?

It depends on the veins being treated.

For fine red facial veins, laser treatment is often a suitable option.

For blue or purple thread veins on the legs, microsclerotherapy is often more appropriate because the treatment is delivered directly into the vessel.

Some patients may benefit from a combination of treatments. This is why an assessment is important before deciding which treatment to have. The clinic’s guide to laser vs microsclerotherapy for leg thread veins explains the differences in more detail.

Laser vs Microsclerotherapy for Treating Leg Thread Veins →

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

There is no universal number of treatments.

Some patients see a very good improvement after a single treatment, particularly where there are only a small number of fine veins. Others need additional sessions because there are multiple veins, larger areas or more persistent vessels.

For leg thread veins treated with microsclerotherapy, one session can sometimes be enough for a small area, while more widespread veins may require a short course of treatment. Facial thread veins treated with laser may also respond within one to several sessions depending on the individual case.

The best way to establish what you are likely to need is to have the veins assessed before treatment.

What Happens After Thread Vein Treatment?

Recovery depends on the treatment used.

After laser treatment, temporary redness and mild discomfort can occur and usually settle as the skin recovers. Following treatment for facial thread veins, the clinic advises that redness can initially become more noticeable before gradually settling.

After microsclerotherapy, temporary bruising, redness or changes in pigmentation can occur around the treated vessels.

Your doctor will provide specific aftercare advice according to the treatment you have received.

Is It Better to Hide Thread Veins or Treat Them?

That is entirely a personal decision.

If your thread veins are only occasionally noticeable, camouflage with make-up or self-tan may be all you need.

But if you find yourself regularly choosing clothes to cover your legs, applying make-up every day to hide facial veins, or avoiding situations such as holidays and swimming because of your veins, it may be worth considering treatment instead.

Thread veins are generally a cosmetic concern rather than a medical problem, and many people seek treatment simply because they would prefer their skin to look clearer and more even.

When Should You Have Thread Veins Assessed?

A consultation is worthwhile if:

the veins are becoming more noticeable or widespread
you are unsure whether they are actually thread veins
you want to understand which treatment would be most suitable
camouflage is becoming inconvenient
you would like a longer-term solution rather than covering the veins

A doctor can assess the vessels and explain whether laser, microsclerotherapy, microcautery or another approach is appropriate.

If a vein is new, changing, painful, swollen or associated with other symptoms, it should be medically assessed rather than assumed to be a cosmetic thread vein.

Thread Vein Treatment at Vein Treatment Centre

At Vein Treatment Centre, we treat facial and leg thread veins using a choice of laser, microsclerotherapy and microcautery treatments. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual veins rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

For patients who are primarily concerned about appearance, treatment can offer an alternative to continually trying to disguise visible veins.

Find out more about thread vein treatment →

If you are unsure which treatment is right for you, you can arrange an assessment with one of the clinic’s doctors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I permanently hide thread veins?

Cosmetic products can only camouflage thread veins temporarily. If you want to reduce or remove established visible veins, medical treatment such as laser or microsclerotherapy may be more appropriate.

What is the best make-up for hiding thread veins?

A high-coverage concealer or specialist body camouflage product is generally more effective than ordinary foundation for prominent veins. The best product depends on the location and colour of the veins and your skin tone.

Does fake tan hide spider veins?

Self-tan can reduce the contrast between pale skin and blue or purple veins, making them less noticeable. It does not treat the veins themselves.

Can you hide thread veins on your face with make-up?

Yes. Concealer, colour correction and foundation can reduce the appearance of fine facial veins. However, prominent veins can remain visible through make-up, particularly if they are blue or purple.

Can thread veins be removed permanently?

Treatment can permanently close individual treated vessels, but it cannot prevent new thread veins from developing in the future. Some people may therefore develop additional visible veins over time.

Will thread veins get worse if I don’t treat them?

Thread veins are often stable, but they can become more noticeable over time. Ageing, hormonal changes, genetics and other factors can influence their development.

Is treatment better than disguising thread veins?

There is no requirement to treat thread veins. If you are happy to disguise them, camouflage is perfectly reasonable. Treatment becomes an option if you would prefer to reduce the veins themselves rather than continually covering them.

Final Thoughts

There is nothing wrong with using make-up or self-tan to disguise thread veins when you want a quick cosmetic solution. But if you find yourself repeatedly trying to cover the same veins, treatment may provide a more convenient long-term approach.

The important point is to choose treatment according to the type of vein you have. Fine facial veins, small red vessels and blue or purple leg thread veins may require different approaches.

An assessment with an experienced doctor can help establish the most appropriate treatment and give you a realistic idea of what can be achieved.

Thread Vein Treatment

Ultimately, the best option may be to arrange treatment of unwanted thread veins. Cosmedics Skin Clinics offer private thread vein removal at a selection of clinics based in London. Thread veins are removed using the latest surgical techniques including laser vein treatment, microcautery treatment and sclerotherapy injections (not for facial areas) with trained doctors and surgeons. For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.

How to Hide Thread Veins: Makeup, Self-Tan and Treatment Options