Thread veins are small, red, purple and blue vessels that are most commonly found on the cheek nose and legs. The colour of the veins means they can be visible through the skin.
There are several names in the medical community to describe thread veins. These include:
Thread veins are more noticeable after mid-life, this is because women's skin tends to become thinner and the collagen in their body decreases causing threat veins to occur. If you notice large visible veins on your body, they are more than likely to be varicose veins not thread veins.
There are many ways patients can successfully reduce and get rid of their thread veins.
This procedure uses a chemical that is injected directly into the vein using tiny needles which makes the walls of the veins stick together. This treatment causes the vein to disappear gradually over 2 to 3 weeks. After treatment is completed, the doctor will give you a compression stocking to wear for 1 week. The procedure is simple, relatively inexpensive, and can be performed in the doctor's office.
You may have to go for several treatments before the veins diminish. There is a possibility that you can develop a skin reaction if the therapist misses the thread vein, and injects the surrounding skin by mistake. Some darkening of the skin could transpire too. Doctors suggest that Micro-sclerotherapy is better for thread veins on the legs than on the face of the patient. After the treatment there is a possibility the veins may return however the treatment can be repeated.
Laser treatment is a great way to get rid of thread veins that are located on the face. Different types of laser procedures are:
Surface laser or intense pulsed light treatments: These devices use heat energy to selectively damage or destroy abnormal veins. One benefit is that no needles or sclerosing solutions are necessary to complete the procedure. You may experience some small soreness though. Side effects can occur during this procedure which include:
Endovenous Laser is a procedure where the doctor inserts a small laser fiber into the vein. Pulses of laser light are sent to the inside of the vein. This will cause the vein to disintegrate. The procedure can be done using a local anesthetic.
Laser treatments cannot be used on dark skin because the pigment in the skin blocks the laser beam, and the pigment may be lost afterwards.
Bruising can occur and last up to 10 days.
Potassium titanyl phosphate laser does not cause bruising. After treatment, you will have to protect your skin from sunlight.
Laser treatments can change the texture of the skin.
It can leave small white scars.
After the treatment it is important to protect your skin from the sunlight.
High-intensity light treatment (Photoderm): This procedure sends continuous light beams to the region that is being treated. The heat caused by the lasers makes the threat veins diminish. This treatment can cover a larger area than laser treatment however several treatments may be required depending upon the severity of the vessels.
Some of the side-effects are similar to that of laser treatment however it is less likely to cause scarring. The paler the skin being treated the more effective the treatment is supposed to be.
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