Thread veins are small, visible blood vessels, usually seen as fine red lines or patches of persistent redness on the face. Sun damage, genetics, hormones and ageing all play a part.
We treat them with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). The light is absorbed by the haemoglobin in the vessel, heating it until it closes. Your body then clears it over the following weeks. The goal is a visible reduction in thread veins and redness, not the removal of every vessel. Fine red vessels respond best. Larger or deeper vessels can be less predictable, and we'll tell you honestly at consultation what's realistic.
Every treatment starts with an assessment. We look at the size, colour and location of the vessels, your skin tone and sensitivity, and any previous treatment, then decide whether IPL is right for you. Most people need a course of sessions, and new vessels can appear over time, so occasional maintenance is common. Expect some redness or mild swelling for a short time afterwards. Your plan may also include in-clinic skin treatments and home care to support your skin between sessions.
We treat facial thread veins only. IPL is not the right treatment for leg veins.
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Before your first IPL treatment, you'll have a thorough consultation and patch test. We assess your skin type and the thread veins themselves (their size, colour, depth and location), discuss what you want to achieve, and confirm IPL is the right approach for you. The patch test shows us how your skin and the vessels respond before we treat the full area.
Before treatment begins, your skin is thoroughly cleansed to remove oil, makeup, SPF and any skincare products. This gives the light a clean surface to reach the target vessels without interference. We then check the area for recent sun exposure, tanning or irritation, and confirm your skin is ready to treat.
Once your skin is prepared, treatment begins. The device delivers controlled pulses of light to the treatment area, targeting the haemoglobin within the visible vessels. The light is converted into heat, which closes the vessel so your body can gradually clear it. Settings are adjusted to your skin type and the vessels being treated.
After IPL, your skin needs time to heal. The treated area may feel warm, look red or slightly swollen, and some vessels can appear darker or faintly bruised before gradually fading over the following few weeks.
IPL treats the vessels already visible in the skin, but new thread veins can develop over time, particularly if triggers such as sun exposure, heat, alcohol or underlying redness are not managed. This is why your home care and daily SPF are an important part of the treatment plan.
