Thread vein treatment at Spire Southampton Hospital

According to the British Vein Institute, about half the adult population of the western world suffers from thread veins – particularly those who have to stand still for long periods of time because of their work.

They are not as large as varicose veins but there are often more of them. They can be removed with laser treatment, Intense Light Pulse (IPL) therapy or special injections, depending on their size and location.

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All our cosmetic nurses and cosmetic surgeons are on the specialist register of the General Medical Council (GMC), and many are also members of the UK’s leading cosmetic and plastic surgery associations.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

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Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

We understand that surgery can be a cause of anxiety – even if it’s a relatively straightforward procedure like this one. That's why our experienced and caring medical staff will be there for you every step of the way.

Treatment can be one (or more) of the following procedures:

• Laser/IPL – this destroys the veins by heating them up to the point where scar tissue forms, eventually causing them to close. A hand held device is passed over the affected area, usually the face.
• Sclerotherapy – this destroys the veins by injecting a special drug into each one, which makes their walls stick together and eventually close. It’s usually used to treat the body and legs.
• Veinwave™ – this is another form of needle therapy, which works by applying heat to the veins. It can be used anywhere on the body.

All these treatments require more than one session to achieve the best results and some people can experience discomfort during the procedure – though others find them to be painless.

All are done as outpatient cases, so you won't need to stay the night in hospital and should be able to resume normal activities straight away.

Your consultant will discuss which treatment is most suitable for you beforehand. Some of our hospitals also specialise in one treatment above another. If after discussions with our medical specialists you decide you prefer a specific treatment, you can find your nearest Spire hospital that offers it here.

Pain relief

You may experience some pain, swelling and bruising immediately after treatment. This is normal and your symptoms will start to improve over the next few days. 

We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you've left hospital. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.

Recovery time

You’ll probably be given compression garments to wear over the affected areas and if your legs or ankles were treated you should keep them elevated as much as possible for a few days after the procedure.

You should be able to get back to normal physical activity within 24 hours and you won’t need to take any time off work (unless your job involves standing still for long periods of time).

End results

Thread veins generally disappear within two months of treatment but everyone is different and for some people the process will be quicker, whilst for others it may be longer.

If you had sclerotherapy you may still have some bruising for up to three months afterwards, though this is unusual. 

How your loved ones can help

Once you’re ready to be discharged from hospital, it’s a good idea to arrange a taxi, friend or family member to take you home so you don’t have to drive. You should also ask them if they can run some light errands for the first couple of days, such as shopping and cleaning, so you can take it easy and keep your legs elevated (if your legs or ankles were treated).

Looking after you

Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still looking after you every step of the way. Our consultants will typically want to see you after your treatment, in which case a follow up appointment will be made before you leave the hospital.

We will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, we’re ready to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.