Sclerotherapy
This is a treatment for more serious cases of spider veins, where Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or laser treatment would not be sufficient.
Our cosmetic specialist will gently inject a special solution into the affected veins which leads to them being broken down and eliminated from the body.
The network of red veins at first becomes more pronounced and your skin may swell a little though there is normally no pain – then the redness will begin to fade until it completely disappears.
Often, one treatment is enough. Once the affected veins have been eliminated, they will never return. However, if you are prone to the development of them, more may develop which will require further treatment.
You may find the information on these pages useful Thread veins.
Causes of thread veins
Thread veins can be caused by too much exposure to the sun over the years. They may also be inherited. Thread veins can sometimes be a sign of rosacea, a skin condition, or can result from overuse of steroid creams. They tend to become more obvious after mid-life, when the skin becomes thinner and loses some of its collagen.
Hormones also play a role. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as taking oestrogens, progesterone, and birth control pills can cause the development of varicose veins or spider veins.
Other factors that weaken vein valves and that may cause varicose or spider veins include ageing, obesity, leg injury, and prolonged standing, such as for long hours in a job.