Laser thread vein and spider naevus removal in Birmingham
What are facial thread veins and broken capillaries?
Facial thread veins are sometimes called spider veins, broken capillaries or telangiectasias. They are little blood vessels under the skin that have become visible on the face, nose and around the mouth.
Blood vessels which are under 0.2mm in diameter usually look red. Some people call these broken capillaries. Sometimes a network of vessels has formed. Sometimes the vessels are so small that it’s hard to make each one out and the area just looks like a red or purple patch.
Blood vessels which are more than 0.2mm in diameter usually look dark red, blue or purple. Some people call these thread veins.
Thread veins and broken capillaries can look like:
- straight lines – usually on the side of the nose
- like a network, where the lines interconnect
- like a tree and its finer branches
What is a spider naevus?
A spider naevus is a red spot that develops when a central blood vessel bulges out. The central vessel may have tiny vessels radiating around it. A spider naevus can occur during childhood, pregnancy or any stage of life.
Why do facial thread veins and broken capillaries occur?
The skin has thousands of tiny blood vessels running through it. The blood vessels are so small they can’t normally be seen. Collagen supports the blood vessels in the skin, and if there is not enough collagen, tiny blood vessels become distended. Because of a drop in collagen, facial thread veins are a common sign of ageing of the skin. In fact, anything that breaks collagen down can give rise to thread veins on the face including too much sun exposure and smoking.
As the sun is an important cause of collagen loss, people with fairer skin have a greater chance of having more facial thread veins.
Facial thread veins are not always age-related and can occur in younger people too.
Other causes of facial thread veins are:
- After an acne spot or boil – the inflammation stimulates new blood vessels
- Early acne scarring – a new acne scar may be red or purple because of dilated capillaries around the hair follicles.
- From exfoliating too much – excessive microdermabrasion and use of scrubs may cause thread veins to appear
- Around a scar – either an accidental scar or an operation site – the bodies healing process
- From using topical steroids on the face for a long period
- From having radiotherapy
- Certain hereditary and genetic conditions like hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasias
- Too much oestrogen – high levels of oestrogen, such as during pregnancy, can cause blood vessels to stretch
- Where do thread veins and broken capillaries occur?
The common places for thread veins and broken capillaries to occur are on the nose and cheeks. The sides of the nose, and where the nose meets the cheeks is a very common area. Broken capillaries and thread veins can occur anywhere on the face, neck and décolleté.
Are facial thread veins a sign of rosacea?
Having facial thread veins does not automatically mean the person has rosacea. Most people with thread veins do not have rosacea. However, most rosacea sufferers will have some thread veins. Other features like flushing, redness of the face, and inflammatory spots need to be present to make a diagnosis of rosacea.
What can I do to prevent thread veins?
Thread veins can be prevented by good sun protection and avoiding smoking. Some thread veins will still occur, especially if you are fair skinned.
What can help clear thread veins and broken capillaries?
Thread veins, broken capillaries, and spider naevus can be treated with the following at Midland Skin and your doctor will advise you which treatments are suitable:
- Vascular laser – a laser that produces light that is absorbed by blood vessels such as the 532nm or 1064nm lasers
- Broadband Light – a form of intense pulse light that produces light of multiple colours
- Radiofrequency A fine probe is inserted in the tiny vessels and a gentle radiofrequency current is passed. This causes the blood vessel to disappear.
Benefits of thread vein treatment
Laser treatment is very effective at clearing thread veins from the nose, the side of the nose, the cheeks and the upper lips. It is also effective at clearing away spider naevus lesions. In total, about 50-70% of lesions will clear with one treatment and another 20-30% with a second treatment. 2-4 treatments will therefore reduce the lesions by 90% on average.
Risks of thread vein treatment
The treatment feels like a quick pinch. The area will become red immediately. Occasionally tiny scabs can form. If the lesion being treated is substantial, a small depression can result. A scar can form though this is unusual.
Thread veins do have the tendency to come back. Either the same thread veins can return or a new one can develop. Maintenance treatments are therefore required, sometimes 6 or 12 months after the first treatment, or longer.
Author information
Author: Dr Sajjad Rajpar
Date last reviewed: 1 April 2023
