Treatment · London and Marbella
Thread vein treatment
Treatment for suitable facial and leg thread veins, assessed and carried out by Kim Armstrong, Registered Nurse and Independent Prescriber.
At a glance
Everything you need to decide whether to keep reading.
- Treats
- Facial and leg thread veins (telangiectasia)
- Session length
- 15 or 30 minutes
- Price
- £175 for 15 minutes, £300 for 30 minutes
- Anaesthetic
- Not usually required
- Downtime
- None in most cases. Redness for a few days is common
- Sessions usually needed
- One to four, depending on how extensive the veins are
- Results visible
- Two to eight weeks after each session
- Who provides it
- Kim Armstrong, Registered Nurse and Independent Prescriber
The condition
What thread veins are
Thread veins, known clinically as telangiectasia, are small blood vessels that have become permanently widened and visible just beneath the surface of the skin. They appear as fine red, purple or blue lines, sometimes in a branching or web-like pattern.
They are common and harmless. They are not a sign of any dangerous underlying condition, although on the legs they can sometimes indicate a venous problem that is worth assessing before anything is treated.
What treatment does is close the affected vessel so the body can clear it. What it cannot do is change the tendency to form new ones, which is why aftercare and sun protection matter as much as the session itself.
Causes
What causes them
Several factors contribute, and most people have more than one. Which of these apply to you shapes how well a result is likely to hold.
Read the full guide- Genetics
- A family tendency is the most common single factor.
- Sun exposure
- Accumulated over many years, weakening the vessel wall and the collagen supporting it.
- Rosacea
- And other conditions affecting facial blood vessels. Persistent flushing over years frequently leaves permanent vessels behind.
- Hormonal changes
- Including pregnancy, the contraceptive pill and menopause.
- Prolonged standing
- Which increases pressure in the leg veins, so standing occupations matter.
- Extremes of temperature
- Including saunas, very hot showers and cold wind.
- Alcohol
- Which dilates blood vessels.
- Injury to the skin
- Including surgical and accidental trauma.
- Long-term topical steroids
- Used on the face.
By area
Where we can treat
The two areas are assessed differently and need different numbers of sessions, so each has its own page.
London · MarbellaFacial thread veinsAcross the cheeks, around the nose, on the chin and sometimes the forehead. The most commonly treated area, and often the most responsive.
London · MarbellaLeg thread veinsFine surface veins on the thighs, calves and ankles. These usually need more sessions, and are assessed for any underlying venous problem before treatment.Before you book
Is this treatment right for you?
Worth ruling yourself in or out before you pay for anything. Final suitability is confirmed at consultation, not here.
This treatment may suit you if
- You have visible thread veins on your face or legs that you would like treated
- You are in good general health
- You understand that the aim is improvement rather than guaranteed complete clearance
- You are able to avoid sun exposure and follow the aftercare advice
It may not be suitable if
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a skin infection or active inflammation in the area
- You have varicose veins or an underlying venous problem, which needs separate assessment first
- You have a bleeding disorder or take certain anticoagulant medicines
- You have had recent significant sun exposure, or have used self-tan on the area
- You have certain skin conditions or a history of abnormal scarring
- Your medical history or current medicines make treatment inappropriate
This list is not exhaustive. Suitability is confirmed at consultation, and some patients are advised that this treatment is not right for them.
Your appointment
What happens, in order
- 1
Consultation and assessment
Kim examines the area in good light, takes a full medical history and reviews the medicines you take. For leg veins this includes assessing whether there is an underlying venous problem that should be addressed first. Where appropriate, a patch test is carried out before any full treatment. By the end you will know whether you are suitable, how many sessions you are likely to need and what the total cost will be.
- 2
Your treatment session
Sessions last 15 or 30 minutes. Most people describe the sensation as a series of quick, sharp scratches or a hot pinprick rather than pain, and anaesthetic is not usually needed. You can normally return to your usual activities immediately afterwards.
- 3
Aftercare and review
You are given written aftercare instructions before you leave. A review appointment lets Kim assess how the area has responded and discuss whether a further session would be worthwhile.
Course length
How many sessions you are likely to need
It depends on how many vessels you have, how large and how deep they are, and how your skin responds — which is why the estimate comes after the assessment rather than before it.
Small, isolated facial thread veins are sometimes resolved in a single 15 minute session. More extensive facial thread veins commonly need two to three sessions.
Leg thread veins usually need more, often three to four, spaced several weeks apart. Sessions are spaced deliberately, to allow the treated vessels to clear and the skin to settle before the next one.
Kim will give you an estimate at your consultation, along with the total cost for that estimate rather than the price of the first appointment alone.
What to expect afterwards
- 01
Immediately
Redness, mild swelling and small raised marks along the treated vessels are normal. Facial skin may look pinker than usual for a few hours.
- 02
The first few days
The treated veins often look darker or more visible before they fade. This is expected and does not mean the treatment has been unsuccessful. Small scabs or crusts may form, and these should not be picked.
- 03
Two to eight weeks
The treated vessels gradually fade as the body clears them. This is when the result becomes apparent, and it is judged after the full course rather than after one session.
Aftercare and preparation
What you need to do
The result depends on this as much as on the session itself, particularly the sun protection.
- Four weeks before
- Avoid sunbathing and sunbeds on the area.
- Two weeks before
- Avoid self-tan on the area.
- One week before
- Stop retinoids and strong acids on the area unless advised otherwise.
- On the day
- Arrive with clean skin — no make-up, moisturiser or SPF on the treatment area. Bring a list of your current medicines, including anything bought over the counter, and tell Kim about any change to your health or pregnancy status since your consultation.
- Afterwards, daily
- Apply SPF 50 to the treated area. Avoid saunas, steam rooms and hot baths for the period advised, and vigorous exercise for the first 24 to 48 hours.
- Afterwards, while it settles
- Avoid self-tan and sunbeds, and pause retinoids and strong acids until advised otherwise. For leg veins, compression hosiery may be advised.
Risks and side effects
Stated in full, because a treatment described only by its benefits is not being described honestly.
Common
Redness, mild swelling, small marks or bruising, temporary darkening of the treated vein, and mild stinging during treatment.
Less common
Temporary lightening or darkening of the skin, more likely in darker skin tones or after sun exposure. Small blisters. Matting, where fine new vessels appear near the treated area.
Rare
Scarring, infection, persistent pigment change, and ulceration at the treatment site.
Prices
What it costs
The price includes the treatment session, written aftercare and a review appointment.
| Session | Suitable for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | Smaller or single areas | £175 |
| 30 minutes | Larger or multiple areas treated in one visit | £300 |
| Consultation | Suitability assessment, deducted off the cost of treatment | £15 |
Most patients need more than one session, and you will be given an estimate of the total cost at your consultation. To reduce risk, Kim assesses your skin type carefully, uses a patch test where appropriate, treats conservatively and arranges a review appointment. If you develop anything that concerns you after treatment, contact the clinic. How our prices compare across the UK.
Before you decide
Common questions
Is thread vein treatment painful?
Most people describe it as a series of quick, sharp scratches or a hot pinprick rather than pain. Sessions are short and anaesthetic is not usually needed. Facial veins tend to be more sensitive than leg veins. If you are concerned about discomfort, tell Kim at your consultation and the session can be paced to suit you.
Can thread veins be removed permanently?
A vessel that has been successfully treated does not return. Treatment does not prevent new thread veins from forming, and the factors that caused yours usually remain. Many patients have a further session every one to two years.
How many sessions will I need?
Small, isolated facial veins are sometimes resolved in a single 15 minute session. More extensive facial veins commonly need two to three sessions, and leg veins often three to four. Kim will give you an estimate at your consultation.
How much does thread vein removal cost in the UK?
At The Armstrong Clinic it is £175 for a 15 minute session and £300 for a 30 minute session. Across the UK, single sessions generally range from around £150 to £400, and most people need more than one. When comparing clinics, check whether the price quoted is per session or per area, as this affects the total considerably.
Will the NHS treat thread veins?
Not usually. Thread veins are considered a cosmetic concern and NHS treatment is not generally available for them. The NHS may investigate and treat varicose veins where they cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, skin changes or ulceration, which is a different condition. If Kim thinks you have an underlying venous problem, she will advise you to be assessed, which may mean seeing your GP.
How soon will I see results?
Treated veins often look darker for the first few days before they begin to fade. Most people see a visible difference between two and eight weeks after a session. The final result is judged after the full course.
Can I have treatment in the summer?
Yes, though it requires more care. Sun exposure before and after treatment increases the risk of pigment change, so strict sun protection is necessary. Many patients prefer to have treatment in autumn or winter. Kim will advise based on your skin type and how much sun exposure you have.
Do you treat thread veins in Marbella as well as London?
Yes. Treatment is available in London and in Marbella. If you divide your time between the two, your course of treatment can continue in either.
What if I also have varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a different condition and need vascular assessment. Treating surface thread veins while an underlying venous problem remains untreated tends to give a poor and short-lived result. Kim will assess this and, if needed, advise you to see a vascular specialist first.
Next step
Treatment starts with a consultation.
You will receive an assessment of whether treatment is likely to help, an estimate of how many sessions you will need and the total cost — before anything is booked.
Or call +44 (0) 7706 077888email kim@thearmstrongclinic.com