Thread & Spider Veins
We have performed over 7,000 vein treatments
We have performed over 7,000 vein treatments
See an improvement after the first treatment
Little to no downtime
What’s on this page
- About this Treatment
- Before & Afters
- What to Expect
- FAQs
- Our Clinics
- Patient Stories
- Why the Private Clinic
- Meet the Experts
- Related Blogs & News
Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Advisory Committee for The Private Clinic.
Last Reviewed March 22nd 2022
Related treatments
Spider veins – also called thread veins, broken blood vessels, broken veins and capillary veins –are small red, blue or purple veins that usually appear near the surface of the skin on the thighs, calves and ankles but can also appear on the face.
The Private Clinic is a UK centre of excellence for the minimally invasive treatment of veins. Whether you suffer from varicose veins, facial veins, spider veins or leg thread veins, we provide the highest standard of clinical care and the latest technology. Our expert thread vein specialists will ensure you achieve the best vein treatment with little to no downtime.
Where do veins appear?
Varicose veins are the blue or purplish enlarged veins you see on a person’s leg, most often on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the legs. If varicose veins are severe, they can rupture or form ulcers on the skin. They can require immediate attention.
Spider Veins (also known as Thread Veins, Broken blood vessels) are smaller veins compared to varicose veins. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They usually appear on the thighs and ankles and can pose a health risk. Broken vein treatment is available in many of our clinics across the UK.
Facial Thread Veins generally appear on the nose, chin or cheek area and often occur in Rosacea. They are easily treated.
Under eye veins also known as periorbital veins are a common cosmetic concern. Veins under the eye are superficial veins which start at the bridge of the nose and run below or above the eye to join venous branches on the forehead and scalp. Everyone has these veins but they can be more prominent particularly in patients with fair or thin skin. Blue vein under eye removal treatment is available at our clinic in London, UK.
At The Private Clinic we have pioneered a state of the art laser treatment for the removal of veins from hands and arms. We were the first clinic to perform this procedure in the UK.
“I had clusters of spider veins on both legs, which required an initial consultation, followed by three microsclerotherapy treatment sessions, with follow-up appointments to check progress. Mr Rittoo the Consultant Vascular Surgeon was professional, courteous and kind, advising me at all times of what to expect and what I needed to do in between the appointments to ensure a successful result. The staff were also very friendly and put me at ease. I would recommend Mr Rittoo to anyone requiring this treatment, based on my personal experience. I am very happy with the result, which is fantastic. I just wish I had done this 20 years ago.”
– Pamela, Sclerotherapy Patient
Can thread veins be the result of an underlying varicose vein issue?
Although most people seek thread vein removal treatment for cosmetic reasons, research has shown that the majority of people with leg thread veins could have underlying vein problems. They could be minor or major varicose veins, which are often not visible from the surface, but can be found with an ultrasound scan of the legs. They can cause aching, itchiness, a feeling of heaviness in the leg and night cramps. If a patient were to have underlying varicose veins, we would provide a treatment plan to help you treat them before addressing any residual spider veins.
Our experience and latest technology mean that your veins will be treated effectively in no time at all.
Book a consultation today and your veins will be treated in no time at all.
as seen in
Before & After
We are one of the UK’s centres of excellence for minimally invasive treatments for vein problems. We pride ourselves on delivering excellent results and aftercare in Thread and Spider Vein removal procedures. See our before and after Thread Vein photos from our team of experts below. Book a consultation to discuss the best procedure for you and to see more before and after photos for thread and spider vein removal.
What to Expect
There are several Thread Veins Removal treatments available for thread veins depending where they are. We offer Sclerotherapy, as well as Laser treatments, such as our Cutera CoolGlide. Your practitioner or therapist will advise you on the most suitable treatment for your thread or spider veins, taking into consideration their location.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is an effective treatment that reduces the visibility of thread veins found on the legs. Prior to the start of your procedure, the treatment area will be thoroughly cleansed, usually with an alcohol based cleanser.
During broken vein treatment for the legs the affected veins or capillaries will be injected with a very thin needle containing a sclerosing agent which is dispensed at one inch intervals along the thread vein. Sclerotherapy is commonly performed with a concentrated saline solution. The sclerosing agent causes the vein walls to become sticky and blood is no longer able to pass through. When no blood is passing through, the capillaries will collapse and be absorbed by the body therefore gradually disappearing from view.
Cutera CoolGlide
The CoolGlide laser thread vein treatment directs intense light at thread veins which causes the blood within them to coagulate and divert back into veins located deeper below the surface of the skin. The targeted thread vein is then gradually absorbed by the body. The Cutera CoolGlide is effective at treating thread veins all over the body including the face.
Generally we recommend 1-2 treatments but this will depend on the amount, size and colour of the veins being treated.
How are Spider Veins treated?
Aftercare
The appearance of small thread veins after Sclerotherapy will be reduced after 3-6 weeks. Larger thread veins may not see results until 3-4 months.
The CoolGlide laser treatment can result in a significant improvement within two to six weeks of treatment but it can take several months to see the final results from treatment.
With both treatments you can get back to normal activities right away.
After Sclerotherapy treatment the area treated may appear red and irritated but this will fade quickly. You may also notice bruising on the veins that have been treated; these will fade after a few weeks. You will be required to wear compression stockings and you must keep the treated area out of the sun for 6 weeks post-treatment.
You must avoid exercise and sun exposure for the first 24 hours after Cutera CoolGlide laser treatment. You may notice some redness and swelling in the area treated but this should only last a few hours. Any bruising after treatment usually starts to fade after 1-2 weeks.
Our Regulator
Our service has been rigorously assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with whom all our clinics are registered. CQC Reg No: 1-3487232249
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FAQs
At The Private Clinic, we offer some of the best vein treatments available including;
Sclerotherapy:
Sclerotherapy treatment involves using a small thin needle to inject the veins with a solution called ‘sclerosing agent’ which causes them to collapse and fade, improving the appearance as well as the associated symptoms. The full benefit can take up to 12 weeks to be seen. After that you will find that the veins often continue to improve for up to a year after the treatment. Depending on the number of thread veins on the legs, several sessions may be needed to get the required results, but usually three to five will be enough.
CoolGlide:
The CoolGlide Laser thread vein treatment can be used, especially in the case of smaller spider veins where a needle would not be appropriate. Laser spider vein removal treatment involves directing intense light directly at the veins. This causes the blood within them to coagulate and the blood is then diverted to veins deeper below the surface of the skin where it should be.
Once the veins have been removed, they are gone. However, clients should bear in mind that this does not mean new ones won’t develop. Hormonal changes, pregnancy, weight gain and occupations that involve long periods on your feet can all be contributing factors.
Thread vein removal costs for Legs
- Cutera CoolGlide laser thread veins treatment: From £549
- Sclerotherapy/Microsclerotherapy: from £400
Thread Vein Removal costs for face & eyes
- Cutera CoolGlide laser thread vein removal for the face: From £309
- Cutera CoolGlide laser thread vein removal for under the eyes: From £563
- Regenlite / IPL laser thread vein removal for the face: From £200
Find out more about facial thread vein treatment.
Find out more about under eye thread vein treatment.
If your thread veins are more serious you might be deemed unsuitable for thread vein removal by liquid sclerotherapy or cutera coolglide and instead referred to a Vascular surgeon for varicose vein treatment.
Our vascular surgeons can perform:
- Foam Sclerotherapy: from £997
- EVLA: from £2750
- VenaSeal: from £3260
- Phlebectomy: from £1397
If you are having a consultation with a vascular surgeon this will cost £200 but this include a free ultrasound scan of your legs (usually priced between £350 and £450 at most clinics and private hospitals).
Find out more about Varicose Vein treatment.
Spider veins and varicose veins are not the same and treatments for both will be different.
Spider veins or thread veins are small veins that are blue or red in colour. They appear just beneath the surface of the skin often in a web-like pattern or as singular lines.
Varicose veins often have a twisted cord-like appearance and although they sit deeper than thread veins, they often cause the skin to raise where they appear. Varicose veins can be flesh-coloured or blue and often cause pain and cramping in the legs
To find out more about varicose veins click here.
If you are unsure of which type of vein you have and what treatment would be suitable, make an appointment with one of our specalised vascular surgeons here.
The Private Clinic has clinics nationwide so we are sure to have an thread vein treatment clinic located near to you although treatment options will vary from clinic to clinic.
Our clinics;
Where can I get thread vein treatment in London?
London – 98 Harley street, W1G7HZ
Where can I get thread vein treatment in Manchester?
Manchester – 25 St John Street, M3 4DT
Where can I get thread vein treatment in Birmingham?
Birmingham – 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands
Where can I get thread vein treatment in Leeds?
Leeds – 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire
Where can I get thread vein treatment in Buckinghamshire?
Buckinghamshire – 84 Rogers Ln, Stoke Poges, Slough SL2 4LF – South East England
Where can I get thread vein treatment in Northampton?
Northampton – 82 Billing Road, NN1 5DF – East Midlands
To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.
thread & spider veins treatment is Available in these Clinics
Patient Stories
Outstanding care, patient satisfaction and results mean everything to The Private Clinic Team
Why Choose The Private Clinic
- Expert medical practitioners with years of experience.
- We have state of the art medical facilities, all registered by the CQC (Care Quality Commission).
- Our innovative treatment choice means you will be offered the most advanced minimally invasive treatment options.
- When it comes to non surgical treatments we always strive to give you little to no downtime, so you can get back to enjoying
Meet our Experts
We have clinics all over the UK. We specialise in offering minimally invasive treatments and our patient satisfaction rates speak for themselves – with a success rate of over 95%.
MBChB, MD, FRCS PG Cert Medical Ultrasound PG Cert Medical Research
GMC Number: 4037844
RGN & Ophthalmology Diploma, Independant Nurse Prescriber
RGN, BSc (Hons), Independent Nurse Prescriber
NMC Number: 92A1045E
RGN, INP, V300 Independent Nurse Prescribing Course
MBChB, FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Gen Surg)
GMC Number: 3556456
MBBS, MS – University of Calcutta, India (1996), FRCS (Gen), FRCS
GMC Number: 4585309
MBBS, MSc, FRCS (Gen), DIC MSc, FRCS (plast)
GMC Number: 5206200
MBBS, FRCS (gen, surg.), MS Masters in Surgery
GMC Number: 3242669 (listed as Mr Syed Tahir Hussain)
