Broken Capillaries vs Thread Veins: What’s the Difference?

thread veins LondonAnd Which Treatment Do You Need?

Many people confuse broken capillaries with thread veins , but they’re different conditions that require different treatment approaches. Understanding what you’re seeing on your skin helps you choose the most effective option — whether that’s laser treatment for facial veins or microsclerotherapy for leg thread veins.

At VeinTreatmentCentre.co.uk , thread vein removal is one of our core specialties. Here’s a clear guide to help you understand the differences and the best treatment for each.

What Are Thread Veins?

Thread veins (sometimes called spider veins ) are small, visible blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. They can appear on:

  • Legs
  • Face
  • Ankles
  • Nose and cheeks

Appearance

  • Red, blue or purple fine lines
  • Web-like or branching patterns
  • May gradually become more noticeable over time

Common Causes

  • Genetics
  • Hormonal changes (including pregnancy or menopause)
  • Ageing
  • Sun exposure
  • Standing for long periods
  • Certain medications
  • Skin trauma or inflammatory skin conditions

What Are “Broken Capillaries”?

“Broken capillaries” aren’t actually broken — they’re dilated capillaries that have widened permanently and become visible through the skin.

These typically appear on:

  • The nose
  • Cheeks
  • Around the nostrils

Appearance

  • Tiny bright red lines or dots
  • Can appear suddenly
  • Often cluster into small patches of redness

Common Causes

  • Sun damage
  • Rosacea
  • Skin trauma (e.g. squeezing spots, harsh skincare, micro-injury)
  • Extreme temperature changes
  • Alcohol flush response
  • Ageing skin becoming thinner

Key Differences

Feature Thread Veins Broken Capillaries
Common Area Legs, face Nose & cheeks
Colour Red, blue, purple Bright red
Pattern Fine lines/webs Small dots or tiny lines
Onset Gradual Often sudden
Main Cause Genetics, hormones, age Sun damage, trauma, rosacea
Best Treatment Laser or microsclerotherapy Laser / IPL

Best Treatments at Vein Treatment Centre

Thread Veins on the Legs

✔ Microsclerotherapy – Our Gold Standard Treatment

A tiny injection seals the vein from the inside, causing it to fade over several weeks. Ideal for:

  • Purple/blue thread veins
  • Slightly deeper surface veins
  • Veins too large or deep for laser

Leg thread vein microsclerotherapy treatment. 

✔ Laser for Small Red Surface Veins

Useful for fine red veins too small for microsclerotherapy.

Laser thread vein treatment.

Thread Veins or Broken Capillaries on the Face

✔ Vascular Laser Treatment

The most precise option for:

  • Nose veins
  • Cheek capillaries
  • Red clusters
  • “Broken capillary” patches

Laser energy heats and collapses the tiny vessel, causing it to fade naturally.

✔ IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Best for treating:

  • Widespread facial redness
  • Diffuse patches with many tiny veins
  • Redness linked to rosacea

Facial thread vein treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do thread veins or broken capillaries go away on their own?

Usually not. Most remain visible until they’re treated with laser or microsclerotherapy.

How many treatments will I need?

Most patients need 1–3 sessions , depending on:

  • Size of veins
  • Number of areas treated
  • Depth of vessels

Is the treatment painful?

Most people describe it as mild heat or a quick sting. Discomfort is very brief, and no downtime is required.

Which Treatment Do You Need?

During your consultation at the Vein Treatment Centre, your specialist will assess:

  • The type of visible vessels
  • Location (face or legs)
  • Depth under the skin
  • Your skin type
  • The most effective treatment option
  • Likely number of sessions
  • Expected results

You’ll receive a personalised plan based on clinical assessment — not guesswork.

Book Your Thread Vein Assessment

If you’re unsure whether you have thread veins or broken capillaries, we can help.

📍 Expert-led vein treatments
📍 Laser and microsclerotherapy available
📍 Safe, effective, long-lasting results

London Vein Treatment Centre

Established in 2003, Cosmedics Skin Clinics offers spider vein and thread vein removal treatment at a choice of 4 London Vein Treatment Centres using medically proven techniques.

All thread vein treatments are carried out by skilled and experienced doctors.

For more information, please complete the form to the right hand side or call 020 7386 0464.