Treatment · London
Thread vein treatment
Treatment for suitable facial and leg thread veins, assessed and carried out by Kim Armstrong BSc (Hons), RN, Independent Prescriber, using thermocoagulation.
What it does
Thermocoagulation seals the vein
A fine probe delivers targeted heat directly to the vessel wall, sealing it closed. The body then clears the treated vein naturally, and once a vessel has been sealed by thermocoagulation it does not return.
There is no downtime. You return to normal activities straight away. Sun exposure is not restricted: daily SPF 50 on the treated area is all that is needed, and compression stockings are not required.
The technology
Thermocoagulation (ThermaVein)
Targeted thermocoagulation: precise, needle-free, no downtime. Thermocoagulation also treats skin lesions, skin tags, cherry angiomas and warts.
Real results
Before and after
A genuine, consented patient, before treatment and after their facial thread veins cleared.
Why thermocoagulation (ThermaVein)
How it compares
Thread veins can be treated in more than one way.
Sclerotherapy
- How it works
- A solution is injected into the vein
- Precision
- Needs a vein large enough to inject
- Needles
- Yes, the solution is injected
- Downtime
- Bruising is common; compression is often advised
- Suited to
- Larger leg veins
IPL
- How it works
- Broad-spectrum light passed over the area
- Precision
- Treats an area rather than a single vessel
- Needles
- None
- Downtime
- Redness for a few days is common
- Suited to
- Larger areas, lighter skin tones
Thermocoagulation (ThermaVein)
- How it works
- A fine probe applies targeted heat directly to the vessel
- Precision
- Treats one vessel at a time, including fine facial veins
- Needles
- None into the vein itself
- Downtime
- None
- Suited to
- Fine facial and leg thread veins
A comparison of the methods, not of other providers.
Meet your clinician
Kim on thread vein treatment
Kim Armstrong BSc (Hons), RN, Independent Prescriber, talks you through thread vein treatment at the clinic.
The condition
What thread veins are
Thread veins, known clinically as telangiectasia, are small blood vessels that have become permanently widened and visible just beneath the surface of the skin. They are common and harmless.
What treatment does is close the affected vessel so the body can clear it. It cannot change the tendency to form new ones.
By area
Where we can treat
The two areas are assessed differently and need different numbers of sessions.
LondonFacial thread veinsAcross the cheeks, around the nose, on the chin and sometimes the forehead. The most commonly treated area, and often the most responsive.LondonLeg thread veinsFine surface veins on the thighs, calves and ankles. These usually need more sessions, and are assessed for any underlying venous problem before treatment.Course length
How many sessions you are likely to need
It depends on how many vessels you have, how large and how deep they are, and how your skin responds, which is why the estimate comes after the assessment rather than before it.
Small, isolated facial thread veins are sometimes resolved in a single 15 minute session. More extensive facial thread veins commonly need two to three sessions.
Leg thread veins usually need more, often three to four, spaced several weeks apart. Sessions are spaced deliberately, to allow the treated vessels to clear and the skin to settle before the next one.
Kim will give you an estimate at your consultation, along with the total cost for that estimate rather than the price of the first appointment alone.
What to expect afterwards
Immediately
Redness, mild swelling and small raised marks along the treated vessels are normal. Facial skin may look pinker than usual for a few hours.
The first few days
The treated veins often look darker or more visible before they fade. This is expected and does not mean the treatment has been unsuccessful. Small scabs or crusts may form, and these should not be picked.
Two to eight weeks
The treated vessels gradually fade as the body clears them. This is when the result becomes apparent, and it is judged after the full course rather than after one session.
Risks and side effects
Stated in full, because a treatment described only by its benefits is not being described honestly.
Common
Redness, mild swelling, small marks or bruising, temporary darkening of the treated vein, and mild stinging during treatment.
Less common
Temporary lightening or darkening of the skin, more likely in darker skin tones or after sun exposure. Small blisters. Matting, where fine new vessels appear near the treated area.
Rare
Scarring, infection, persistent pigment change, and ulceration at the treatment site.
Watch
A facial thread vein being treated
A close-up of the probe on the skin, at the magnification the clinician works at. There is no sound.
A clinical close-up of facial thread veins beside the nose. The probe is laid along the line of each vessel in short applications; the vein blanches and disappears as it is sealed. The skin around it is left untouched. No incision is made and nothing is injected. Filmed at close magnification, so the veins appear considerably larger than they do in person.
Prices
What it costs
15 minutes
Smaller or single areas
£175
30 minutes
Larger or multiple areas treated in one visit
£250
Consultation
Suitability assessment, redeemable against the cost of treatment
£20
Before you decide
Common questions
Is thread vein treatment painful?
Most people describe it as a series of quick, sharp scratches or a hot pinprick rather than pain. Sessions are short and anaesthetic is not usually needed. Facial veins tend to be more sensitive than leg veins. If you are concerned about discomfort, tell Kim at your consultation and the session can be paced to suit you.
Can thread veins be removed permanently?
A vessel that has been successfully treated does not return. Treatment does not prevent new thread veins from forming, and the factors that caused yours usually remain. Many patients have a further session every one to two years.
How many sessions will I need?
Small, isolated facial veins are sometimes resolved in a single 15 minute session. More extensive facial veins commonly need two to three sessions, and leg veins often three to four. Kim will give you an estimate at your consultation.
How much does thread vein removal cost in the UK?
At The Armstrong Clinic, treatment with thermocoagulation is £175 for a 15 minute session and £250 for a 30 minute session. Across the UK, single sessions generally range from around £150 to £400, and most people need more than one. When comparing clinics, check whether the price quoted is per session or per area, as this affects the total considerably.
Will the NHS treat thread veins?
Not usually. Thread veins are considered a cosmetic concern and NHS treatment is not generally available for them. The NHS may investigate and treat varicose veins where they cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, skin changes or ulceration, which is a different condition. If Kim thinks you have an underlying venous problem, she will advise you to be assessed, which may mean seeing your GP.
How soon will I see results?
Treated veins often look darker for the first few days before they begin to fade. Most people see a visible difference between two and eight weeks after a session. The final result is judged after the full course.
Can I have treatment in the summer?
Yes. Thermocoagulation does not require you to avoid the sun before or after treatment. Daily SPF 50 on the treated area is all that is needed, whatever the season.
Is treatment available in Marbella?
Thermocoagulation for thread veins is currently provided in London only. Kim's other services remain available in Marbella. Ask at consultation if you are unsure.
What if I also have varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a different condition and need vascular assessment. Treating surface thread veins while an underlying venous problem remains untreated is unlikely to hold. Kim will assess this and, if needed, advise you to see a vascular specialist first.
Thread vein treatment
Consultation £20