With summer fast approaching, it is understandable that those suffering from thread veins may start to feel self-conscious about the appearance of their legs and want to find the most effective short and long-term solutions for hiding or removing them. In this article, we will explore these options to help you find the right one to suit you and your thread veins!
What are thread veins?
Thread veins are dilated veins that appear in clusters within the skin that are blue or purple in colour. Due to their web appearance, they’re often known as spider veins, and effect around 80% of adults.
Generally, spider veins are painless and more of a cosmetic concern, however, they can cause an itching or burning sensation. It is important to have your legs and feet examined properly, including a non-invasive duplex ultrasound scan, before treatment. This is because thread veins are more often than not associated with hidden varicose veins. As a result, finding and treating varicose veins makes treating thread veins much more effective.
How to hide thread veins
Patients who are only concerned by the cosmetic appearance of thread veins can temporarily cover them up with:
- Makeup: the simplest way to disguise spider veins is using a well-matched concealer which can be set with a translucent powder.
- Self-tan: a light tan all year round can make thread veins look less obvious by reducing the contrast between lighter skin and darker veins.
- Compression socks: compression socks will hide thread veins while preventing them from worsening and restricting the development of new clusters.
Why is it better to treat rather than cover up thread veins?
Although you can hide thread veins, there are many reasons why treating them is better including:
- Quick fix: generally, thread veins usually worsen over time. Thanks to advances in modern technology, spider veins can be treated quickly, permanently and with minimal pain and discomfort; treatments include Microsclerotherapy (read on for more details!).
- Save money: trying, buying and applying temporary cosmetic solutions will only add up over the next 10, 20 or even 30 years. Investing in your health and well-being sooner, rather than later, will save you money in the long-term.
- Prevent pain: by removing thread veins as early as possible, you will reduce the likelihood of developing symptoms such as burning and itching sensations.
What spider vein treatments are there?
There are two main types of minimally invasive treatments for removing thread veins, – Photothermolysis and Microsclerotherapy – both of which are performed under local anaesthetic and in an outpatient setting, meaning you can return home the same day:
- Photothermolysis: uses a laser to heat the vein, causing it to collapse and break down. This method is most commonly used for facial veins and is less effective on legs.
- Microsclerotherapy: uses a light and very fine needle to inject the vein with a liquid that blocks them and helps the body to absorb them naturally.
For more information on these procedures, click here >>
What next?
Although there are many options for hiding thread veins, these are short-term solutions which do not permanently remove them. What’s more, over time these cover-ups can become just as, if not more, costly and may even mask more serious underlying health issues such as varicose veins, causing them to worsen. We, therefore, recommend seeking long-term treatment with a qualified vascular consultant, like the ones we have here at Premier Veins, in order to achieve the best possible outcome. For more information on thread vein removal, book your FREE, no-obligation, mini-consultation today.