ThermaVein Treatments

The treatment of Thread/Spider Veins (and other conditions)

If you’re looking for the “Gold Standard” of thread/spider vein treatment, then ThermaVein at Jayne Taylor Aesthetics, Bradford, is definitely the treatment for you.

Thread veins, aka Spider Veins, are tiny prominent veins that are visible just below the skin’s surface. They are fragile looking, red, purple and blue in colour; they resemble the branches of a tree and extend outwards from a centre point. They most commonly affect the legs, face and nose as the skin in these areas tends to be thinner, but they can actually be found anywhere on the body.

Thread veins are extremely common and affect 20% of women in their 20’s, with the figure rising dramatically to 50% of women in their 40’s. As we age, we see the incidence of the condition rising even higher. Most of us are affected at some point.

At Jayne Taylor Aesthetics, we use a very specific treatment called ThermaVein to treat this condition very successfully.

ThermaVein is a handheld piece of equipment that safely uses microwave currents to close off the “offending vein”. The low microwave current is delivered safely via a very fine insulated needle which is sited directly into the vein. The microwave current then travels for approximately 3mm, causing the vein to collapse in that particular area. The process is repeated along the length of the vein until the thread vein has disappeared completely. Once a particular vein has been treated, it will not return, although it must be said that additional thread veins may develop in other adjacent areas.

Causes of thread veins can include:

• Ageing – our veins become “thinner” as we age
• Hormonal changes (condition affects more females than males)
• Sun damage – breaks down the collagen in the skin and weakens blood vessels
• Pregnancy – increased blood volume places additional pressure on blood vessels
• Heredity – runs in families
• Obesity – places additional pressure on blood vessels

The condition can also affect people who stand for long periods of time, often as part of their job role, e.g. hairdressers, teachers and nurses, to name a few.

If you have already developed thread veins, there are steps you can take to reduce any discomfort you may be experiencing, and if you haven’t, there are some steps that may help prevent them. They are:

• Always wear a minimum SPF of 30 to protect your skin from sun damage
• Avoid crossing your legs when seated, this reduces uneven pressure placed on your blood vessels
• Elevate your legs when resting whenever possible; this aids blood flow
• Try to avoid standing for long periods of time
• Exercise regularly to keep the blood flowing to your extremities

Unlike some other available options, ThermaVein is a very effective treatment for a number of additional conditions. They are:

• Sebaceous hyperplasia – enlarged sebaceous glands found on the forehead or cheeks
• Skin tags – small, skin-coloured growths found on the skin
• Cherry angioma – small, mole-like skin growths made up of tiny blood vessels
• Spider naevus – single red spots with small “arms” extending outwards
• Milia – small white bumps typically found on the nose and cheeks

As always, treatment at Jayne Taylor Aesthetics starts with a consultation. This is vital to ensure a correct diagnosis and to see the extent of the condition. A full and individualised treatment plan can then be produced, giving you an idea of the timeline and overall cost.

ThermaVein is perfect for the vast majority of patients (male and female) however, there are a small number of exceptions. If you suffer from any of the following, ThermaVein is contra-indicated:

• Suffer from an infectious skin condition(s)
• Have a pacemaker fitted
• Take blood thinning medication (anticoagulants)

If you do suffer from any of the above contra-indications, please speak to us directly, as it may well be that there is an alternative treatment option that we can help you with.