Thread Veins

Thread veins, known scientifically as Telangiectasia, often raise many questions among people.

What are they? Why do they occur?

Are they the same as broken capillaries?

Let's explore thread veins and see how they're different from what many mistakenly call broken capillaries.

What are Thread Veins?

Thread veins are permanently dilated capillaries. These tiny capillaries have extremely thin walls, just one cell thick, that constantly dilate and constrict throughout our lives to help regulate body temperature.
However, contrary to popular belief, they are not ‘broken capillaries’.

Over time, these capillaries can lose their elasticity. As a result, they may not be able to constrict as efficiently, leading them to become permanently dilated. This is when they become visible through the skin, appearing as pesky thread veins, which we all hate, especially after a glass of red wine!

What Causes Thread Veins?

Many reasons can lead to thread veins, which raises the question: Why do some of us get thread veins while others do not?

Several factors can lead to thread veins:

Ageing: The skin gets less elastic over time, making veins more visible.
Genetics: Some families might have a higher chance of getting them.
Pregnancy: The body changes a lot during pregnancy, which can affect veins.
External Factors: Things like constantly wearing glasses or being in bad weather can play a role.
Lifestyle Choices: Smoking or being very active in sports might be causes.
Hormonal Changes: Changes in hormones can affect veins.
Skin Fragility: People with thin or delicate skin might be more prone to them.

While these veins are typically harmless they can be a concern for many people.

How Can Thread Veins Be Treated?

Thread vein treatments in my opinion, are always most successful when conducted over a course, rather than as an one individual treatment.

One common method involves accurately positioning the tip of an extremely fine probe, roughly the size of an eyelash, over the vein. A gentle current is then applied to the skin's surface, causing that section of the vessel to disappear, before moving onto the next section. While many small vessels can be addressed in each session, it's crucial not to overtreat any one area. This is surprisingly comfortable so nothing to be scared of!

Can You Prevent Thread Veins?

To prevent facial thread veins: use sunscreen to guard against UV damage; moderate alcohol intake; embrace gentle skincare; avoid extreme temperatures/harsh exfoliation and have a good skin care routine appropriate for your skin type.

Post-Treatment Care

Post-procedure, it's natural for the skin to appear slightly inflamed, but this redness will subside - depending on the size of the area this can be a few hours or a few days.

I always recommend refraining from touching, picking, or scratching the area.
Avoid makeup and skincare products for at least 24 hours post-treatment.
If the nasal area has been treated, try not to blow your nose aggressively.
Activities like swimming, saunas, and high-intensity workouts should definitely be off the agenda for 48-72 hours and remember, always shield the treated skin from direct sun exposure.
SPF should always be worn and reapplied every two hours.

So if those pesky red veins on your face or body bother you, remember there are always solutions to eliminate them – you don't have to endure them and feel self-conscious.

Thread Vein Treatments

Blemish Removal Consultation

£0
Blemish Removal (up to 20 minutes)

£70.00

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