Facial Thread Veins

The below content has been medically reviewed and approved by Vein Specialist Mrs Helen Burndred at VeinCentre.

Last reviewed 1st March 2023.

What are facial thread veins?

Thread veins on the face are broken blood vessels. Also known as facial spider veins, they form when the capillaries in the skin become dilated. As they get bigger, these capillaries emerge just below the surface of the skin.

We believe thermocoagulation is the best treatment for facial thread veins. This is a non-invasive procedure which requires no local anaesthetic. The procedure is quick, causes little discomfort and minimal aftercare is required.

We treat thread veins by performing thermocoagulation, which is the gold standard for thread vein treatment.

Facial Thread Vein Treatment at VeinCentre

Here you can read our treatment pathway for facial thread vein treatment (via thermocoagulation) at VeinCentre.

Consultation

At your consultation, your nurse will examine the area with a polarised light to determine the recommended treatment. We offer a minimum of 2 treatments to achieve the best results, however further treatments may be required. We will assess your specific needs at this appointment.

Treatment

Treatment can be booked to directly follow your consultation, if arranged at the time of booking. Please note that we cannot 100% guarantee treatment until you have been assessed in person. Treatments take around half an hour, depending on the number of veins you have. We recommend a minimum of 4 weeks between treatment appointments.

What causes burst blood vessels on the face?

The most common reasons for facial thread veins and red veins are damaged, ageing skin and poor blood circulation, as well as prolonged exposure to the sun, weather changes, pregnancy, genetics and alcohol consumption. However, there are many other reasons why this may occur, and they can develop at any age.

How can you prevent facial thread veins?

There are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood of developing facial thread veins. These include avoiding weather extremes (hot or cold) and using SPF sun cream to protect yourself. If you do find spider veins on your face after a day in the sun, a cold compress can reduce the redness.

What is the best treatment for facial thread veins?

Thermocoagulation is the best treatment to treat thread veins on the face:

The gold standard for red vein removal
Safe, effective & permanent
Instant visible changes

We are, however, unable to treat veins on the temple and around the eyes due to the close proximity of nerves to the surface of the skin in these areas.

Thermocoagulation uses a microscopic needle to penetrate the skin just over the thread vein, administering heat to close it off. You will feel a slight pricking sensation as the needle goes in and as the energy is delivered.

Several treatment sessions may be required – after each, the treated veins disappear instantly, and you can go back to normal activities without restrictions. However, there will be a degree of redness and inflammation around the treated areas. This should settle within several days, if not hours.

Microsclerotherapy should not be used to treat facial thread veins.

We offer thermocoagulation at our clinics nationwide.

Not sure where to start?