Thread veins can appear anywhere on the body, but they are most often found on the face and on the legs. While their exact causes are unknown, it is thought that it could be genetic. Lifestyle choices can also influence the appearance of thread veins: smoking, exposure to the sun, extremes of temperature and rosacea are all thought to contribute to thread veins. Thread veins in the legs are thought to be more likely if a person spends long periods of time either sitting or standing.
So, what can be done about them once they appear? Unlike varicose veins, thread veins do not require invasive treatment in order to be removed. Thread vein removal can be achieved easily and quickly using Intense Pulsed Light Treatment.
This treatment uses heat energy from the light in order to denature the cells lining the vessel walls. This generally happens somewhere between 60 and 70°C. The skin surrounding the vessel is not affected by the light as the energy is only absorbed by the haemoglobin in the blood, in the vein.
Once the cells are denatured, the vein begins to disintegrate. As a result, the veins fades from view, leaving the skin unblemished.
