Thread vein treatment - veinwave™ / Sclerotherapy

What are thread veins?

Thread veins are very prevalent, affecting over 55% of women. They range from very fine red lines only clearly visible through a magnifying lens to networks of very unsightly dark purple veins which are exceedingly difficult to conceal.

How can they be treated?

Lonsdale Clinics Ltd are delighted to announce the latest breakthrough for effective treatment of those unsightly thread veins.

The veinwave™ machine has been developed in the UK specifically to treat the very fine difficult thread veins not responsive to other treatments. Most of the time treatment from the veinwave™ will be all that is required to clear an area. Where there are thicker blood vessels - say 0.5 - 1.0mm remaining after initial treatment with the veinwave™ machine then sclerotherapy (see below for further details) may occasionally be useful to complete the treatment.

Are the treatments successful?

All techniques have their advantages and disadvantages but here at Lonsdale Clinics we are confident that the combination of treatments used represent state of the art current thread vein therapies, and we can confidently assure patients that the cosmetic appearance of the areas treated will be greatly enhanced.

How does veinwave™ work?

The veinwave™ machine uses the process of thermo-coagulation whereby a high frequency current produces a thermal lesion and the immediate disappearance of the vein, whilst the overlying skin (epidermis) is preserved. All that may remain is a tiny red mark that disappears to leave a micro crust which itself disappears usually in a few days.

A safe and effective treatment...

The energy destroys the vein selectively and very safely. There is no break in the vascular systems and the epidermis is preserved. This means that there is no risk of burns, pigmentation or other problems. The treatment can be carried out at any time of the year and on any kind of skin in relative comfort with no bruising and no need for dressings. The effectiveness of the treatment is evident immediately.

How long will it take?

A session lasts for 15 to 20 minutes and represents 300 to 350 impulses, safely treating some 50 to 60 cms of thread veins of any thickness (from 0.07mm) and from any part of the body.

Are there reasons why I should avoid the treatment?

Contra-indications are pregnancy, epilepsy, and the use of anti-coagulants or a pacemaker.

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How are thread veins caused?

Legs

Much of the development of thread veins is due to the hormone oestrogen - hence the reason that they are a greater problem for women than for men. The oral contraceptive pill, together with hormone replacement therapy, can be a contributing factor to their development. Pregnancy renders women more prone to the formation of thread veins because of the higher oestrogen levels at this time, but also because of the increased pressure on the venous system of the legs due to the weight of the baby.

Incidence is also increased in those who, because of their occupations, need to stand up for periods of time.

Trauma can produce thread veins, since tissue damage and bruise formation due to injury appear to render a person prone to their development; surgery for varicose veins may in theory cause thread veins since the removal of large leg veins substantially changes the venous pressure within the legs. This may be implicated in the formation of fine thread veins. However the relationship between varicose veins and the development of thread veins is not clear - men for example with varicose veins often have no thread veins before or after surgery. It is now not thought necessary to have varicose veins treated first.

Face

Undoubtedly heredity plays a part but exposure to cold weather seems to affect a lot of people, particularly those engaged in outdoor work or pursuits.

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What is Sclerotherapy?

The sclerotherapy process involves a fine needle which is inserted just beneath the skin, introducing a sclerosing agent into the thread veins themselves, which flushes through the network of thread veins near to the site of introduction, temporarily displacing red blood with the clear solution. The sensation is slightly prickly but seldom causes pain. Next, pressure is applied to the site of the injection and to the extent of the flush, trapping the sclerosant inside the veins for 20 to 30 seconds to aid its destructive effect on the vessel.

Sclerotherapy works by causing an irritation to the inside lining of the thread vein which damages the wall of the vessel. Since blood does not circulate through damaged vessels it has a tendency to clot inside them. The body recognises the clogged vein as being damaged, and responds by resorbing it, leaving clear skin.

Aftercare...

For 24 to 48 hours after treatment the site may be red and raised, simulating a nettle rash. Patients need to be made aware that although this soon fades, a darkened, perhaps blackened and at first more unsightly vein is left which then disappears, the whole course taking approximately six to eight weeks. The larger the vein, the more pronounced the darkening will be.

Possible post-treatment problems

Each vein can react differently to sclerotherapy, therefore it is important that patients are not given unreasonable expectations regarding the treatment. Depending on the extent of the problem, several sessions may be necessary before a significant improvement is seen.

Pigmentation which looks like tea stains is sometimes experienced after treatment, usually caused at the site of insertion of the needle where a tiny quantity of blood leaks out from the blood vessel, resembling a mark from a brown felt tip pen. This is the result of the deposition of haemosiderin within the tissues and can take several months to fade.

A rare complication of sclerotherapy is telangiectatic matting. This is where a very fine network of thread veins have formed in the vicinity of the destruction of a large thread vein. It appears they are produced to accommodate the redistribution of the pressure of blood within that vicinity. If this occurs then veinwave™ treatment can now be used to help clear the area.

How much do the treatments cost?

Item	Price	Notes
Thread Vein Treatment: -
Consultation	£40	£20 refunded against first treatment
Sclerotherapy per session	£120
Variable Pulsed Light: -
Treatment	poa	Priced according to treatment and body area

If you would like to take advantage of this innovative new thread vein treatment, please telephone the clinic to arrange for a consultation on Freephone 0800 0832 754 or contact us for a leaflet.