Thread / spider veins are thin, visible veins that are located just beneath the surface of the skin. They appear as a result of blood vessels that have become permanently dilated. The causes of these veins include trauma to the skin, hormonal fluctuations, pressure such as standing for too long, sneezing or straining, excessive exposure to sunlight and smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Although these veins are usually seen more on the legs and feet, they can also develop on the face, arms and hands.

Although thread / spider veins are usually harmless, they can sometimes be an indication of underlying venous concerns. If, alongside these veins you experience sensations such as throbbing, itching, swelling or any other forms of discomfort within the affected areas, it is advisable to seek advice from your GP.

If you experience thread / spider veins or other unsightly red veins, red spots or vascular blemishes on the face or body you may benefit from a treatment with ThermaVein® . However, there are some contraindications that would prevent the treatment from going ahead. These include:

• Pregnancy
• Skin infections
• Epilepsy
• Anti-coagulant medication
• Fake tan products on the treatment area/s
• Nickel allergies (please let us know if you have a nickel allergy, as we can use gold-based probes as an alternative)
• Rosacea ( we can treat you if you have this skin condition, but you will need some specialist topical treatment beforehand

Prior to agreeing upon a ThermaVein® treatment at Awaken Clinic, we will ask that you attend an initial, no obligation consultation, so we can discuss your skin concerns as well as confirm if we can treat your specific vascular blemish. We will also check your medical history to ensure the treatment will be safe for you to undergo.

A ThermaVein® treatment is very straightforward. During the procedure, a fine probe, around the size of a human hair is gently applied onto the skin over the affected vein. A light pressure will be exerted to empty the vein before a microburst of thermal energy is delivered which seals it. As the vein closes, the blood it contains is absorbed naturally by the body. The vein becomes invisible and disappears.

Typically, the treatment takes around 30 minutes, depending on how many thread veins are present and can be treated in one session.

Most patients describe the treatment rather like the sensation of a hair being plucked. Therefore, although there is very slight discomfort, a topical anaesthetic is rarely required.

The number of treatments required to achieve optimal results can vary from patient to patient, as well as the type of vascular blemish treated. In most cases, a course of two to six treatments are usually required for best results and to effectively reduce or eliminate visible veins. However, some individuals see improvements after just one treatment sessions. The estimated number of treatments required for your specific needs will be discussed in your initial consultation.

The veins or vascular blemishes which are removed with ThermaVein® do not re-appear, however, if you are susceptible to thread veins, the treatment will not prevent new veins from happening. However, we can advise on how to minimise the risk of further thread veins or blemishes appearing in the future, in your initial consultation.