Unwanted thread veins are the unsightly blue, red or purple clusters or webs of superficial, small veins mostly found on the legs. Formally they are called telangiectasias or sunburst varicosities. They are different from varicose veins, as they are very fine and not bulging. The name is interchangeable with thread veins.
Thread veins are caused by abnormal blood circulation, weak vein walls or faulty vein valves. Factors that contribute to their development are hereditary and like varicose veins women get them more than men may be due to hormonal changes and pregnancy. However there are other factors like standing or sitting for long periods of time, crossing your legs when sitting, weight gain and some medications
Prevention of thread veins
A big part of the prevention and treatment is similar to those for varicose veins.
Treatment at Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin
Treatment options are numerous and include sclerotherapy, electrodesiccation, lasers, and intense pulsed-light therapy. Shorter laser wavelengths have been found to be more effective for treating redder, more superficial vessels, but these parameters are not as successful for deeper blue venulectasia and reticular veins. The 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser has been shown to successfully improve lower extremity leg veins, especially blue venulectasia and reticular veins up to 4 mm in diameter. In one study, nearly two thirds of the patients achieved 75-100% clearing after only one laser treatment.
When sclerotherapy with 0.25% sodium tetradecyl sulfate was compared with 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy for lower extremity telangiectasias (0.1-1.5 mm), significant clinical improvement was seen in all sites with either modality. However, earlier clearing and higher average improvement scores were seen with sclerotherapy. Both modalities were associated with pain and localised tissue redness and oedema. Temporary post-inflammatory dark pigmentation was seen only with sclerotherapy.
