Thread veins: how often do they need to be treated?
Written by:
Vascular surgeon
Published: 22/06/2023
Edited by: Conor Lynch
In this article below, Dr Peter Finigan, a revered vascular physician, talks in detail about the most effective treatment options for thread veins, and reveals who often patients typically need to have their thread veins treated.
What are the most effective treatments for thread veins?
There are two main treatment options for thread veins: injection micro sclerotherapy and thermal coagulation therapy.
How do these treatments work?
Thermal coagulation uses fine bursts of heat that is placed on the veins. This coagulation causes the inner wall of the vein to become hot and sticky. After two to three days after the treatment, the redness of the veins starts to fade.
With micro sclerotherapy, the injection solution irritates the inner wall of the vein, causing an inflammatory reaction. We then put pressure on for the next few days and weeks to stick the veins closed. Then, the vein eventually disappears.
Is thread vein treatment safe?
It is very safe. Treatment of thread vein entail very low-risk procedures. Occasionally, patients may notice some mild redness for the first few days after the treatment.
How often is treatment required?
Some patients only require two or three sessions, and for others, one session may be enough. Other patients come back when they notice other thread veins forming. It also depends on whether or not the patient has an underlying condition.
What can patients expect after treatment?
Patients will see an instant improvement after treatment. In some cases, results can be immediate. It is normal, though, to notice some redness, which often resembles sunburn. The downtime is really quite short.
Patients will have compression pads to suppress the veins, which will be removed after a couple of weeks or so.
What precautions should patients take after treatment?
We advise patients to keep the area clean and dry. We also advise not to get sunburnt. In the long term, if patients have underlying skin conditions, we recommend that they control and manage these conditions as much as possible. By managing skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, the chances of getting thread veins are greatly reduced.
To schedule in an appointment with Dr Peter Finigan today, simply head on over to his Top Doctors profile.