Often people can feel self-conscious about the appearance of tiny red or purple veins that become visible through the skin, especially delicate facial skin and on the legs. These thread veins, also known as spider veins, are usually completely harmless but they can develop over time and cause considerable distress. However, with IPL laser treatment they can be removed very quickly.
- Thread or spider veins, especially on the face and legs, can cause self-consciousness and distress.
- They are generally harmless, painless and not to be confused with varicose veins.
- IPL Later treatments can easily and quickly remove thread veins.
Thread veins appear when tiny capillaries with very thin, elastic walls lose the ability to return to their original size as they expand and contract when oxygen and nutrients pass through them. This can cause them to break, at which point they become visible on the surface of the skin.
The technical name for thread veins is telangiectasia and they become more common in people over the age of 50. Because thread veins can be hereditary, the chances of someone developing them is likely to increase if they run in the family.
For everyone, repeated stretching of the capillaries and the aging process mean that the capillary walls start to lose strength and elasticity. At the same time, because the valves are subject to sustained wear and tear, they can eventually stop closing properly. Combined with damaging sun exposure that leaves skin’s collagen thinner and more fragile, the veins are more prone to injury and thread veins are the result of the damage.
The inflammatory nature of rosacea (which causes blood vessels to dilate) can also cause permanent damage over time meaning that thread veins are more likely to appear, while moving from cold to warm temperatures can cause a rapid expansion and contraction of the capillaries, again putting them under pressure. Washing or bathing in over-hot water has the same effect.
And even for people who take a great deal of care of their skin by exercising, eating a healthy, balanced, and varied diet, moderating their alcohol intake, not smoking, and maintaining a regular skin care routine, thread veins can still develop.
Nevertheless, even when thread veins appear to be permanent, an easy, safe, non-surgical treatment can treat them quickly and effectively.
IPL laser therapy is a popular and effective process that uses highly focused pulses of intense light to target the veins so that they are broken down and reabsorbed with no damage to the surrounding tissue.
Any pinging sensation caused by the light pulse passes almost instantly and although some redness may remain for a little while, applying aloe vera gel or cream is easy and soothing.
A few sessions from an expert professional therapist at a reputable aesthetic clinic may be required to treat stubborn thread veins but because they usually disappear after treatment, and provide long lasting results, it’s no surprise that the demand for intense pulsed light (IPL) laser skincare treatments is at an all-time high.
