Unsightly Leg Thread Veins: Common Causes and Treatment Options

Unsightly leg thread veins can be a cosmetic concern for many individuals. These veins are small, twisted blood vessels that appear close to the surface of the skin, typically on the legs and face. They can be blue, red, or purple in colour and may form in clusters or as single lines.

Thread veins, also known as spider veins, are small, dilated blood vessels that appear on the surface of the skin. They are most common on the legs, but can also occur on the face, chest, and hands.

Thread veins are not usually a sign of a serious medical condition, but they can be unsightly and bothersome.

Common Causes:

1. Genetics: A family history of varicose veins increases the likelihood of developing thread veins.
2. Age: As individuals age, the elasticity of the veins decreases, increasing the risk of developing varicose and spider veins.
3. Hormonal changes: Hormonal imbalances during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or with the use of birth control pills can lead to weakened veins and the formation of thread veins.
4. Obesity: Excess weight puts pressure on the veins, leading to weakened valves and the appearance of spider veins.
5. Prolonged standing or sitting: When you stand or sit for long periods of time, the blood in your legs has to work harder to return to your heart. This can put pressure on the veins and cause them to dilate. Jobs or lifestyles that involve long periods of standing or sitting can lead to poor blood circulation, increasing the risk of developing thread veins.
6. Sun exposure: Overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays can cause damage to the walls of your veins as well as your skin. This makes them more likely to dilate, promoting the development of unsightly leg thread veins.
7. Injuries: An injury to a vein can weaken the vein wall and make it more likely to dilate.

Treatment Options:

1. Compression stockings: This is often the first thing that a GP may suggest to relieve discomfort. Compression stockings provide pressure to the legs, which helps improve circulation and reduce the appearance of thread/spider veins. These won’t cure the veins, but can provide some relief and slow their progress.
2. Home remedies: Suggestions on the internet include applying cold compresses, using arnica cream, and taking vitamin C supplements. These may help to reduce the appearance of thread veins, but they won’t cure them. To get rid of thread veins altogether, injectable or laser treatment is he most effective approach.
3. Sclerotherapy: This is a minimally invasive procedure in which a doctor injects a solution into the vein. The solution causes the vein to collapse and disappear.
4. Laser therapy: Laser treatment uses focused light energy to target and destroy spider veins, promoting their gradual disappearance.

It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable treatment option based on the severity of the condition and individual circumstances.

Best Treatments for Leg Thread Veins

Cosmedics’ London Vein Treatment Centre offers a choice of safe and effective non-invasive options for dealing with unwanted thread veins in the legs. Both small and large spider veins can be treated on the face, legs and body.

These are medically proven treatments with high success rates and results are practically instant.

Laser Treatment

The sophisticated Harmony XL Pro Laser treatment is available at both London Vein Treatment Centres in Harley Street, City of London and Putney. As well as destroying the thread veins, the advanced laser energy also works to stimulate healing and cell renewal in the treated area for clearer-looking skin. It is a gentle and effective treatment for facial thread veins on the face and also deals with smaller spider veins on the legs.

Injectable Treatment

For larger thread veins (e.g. purple/blue leg veins), microsclerotherapy injections may be a preferable option. This treatment is available in all of the London Vein Treatment centres.

Microcautery Treatment

The company also offer micro-cautery treatment, which uses a special probe to deliver a short burst of intense heat in a very precise way in order to destroy thread veins and spider veins. This is a fast and effective treatment

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.