The Apprentice winner Dr Leah on thread veins, how to avoid them and how to get rid of them

Dr Leah provides her expert advice on the truth behind those spider lines
Dr. Leah7 August 2017

There is an increasing school of thought that social media has a lot to answer for when it comes to body image and our associated anxieties.

Indeed, the government is currently under great pressure to bring in regulations to protect us all from the hugely under-regulated cosmetic industry, as well make it easier for us to access information about the appropriateness the medical professional (or not) who offers any aesthetic procedure.

I agree 100% that we need tighter controls to eliminate much of the unnecessary risk – and there is certainly a heightened awareness of aesthetic appearance. However, I do believe we have always struggled with our cosmetic imperfections large and small – long before the Internet had any influence.

Ironically, the most important difference nowadays is also thanks to new technology, that which creates safer and more effective ways to identify the best ways to treat aesthetic shortcomings which may impact on self-esteem.

Dr Leah with business partner Lord Sugar

Being vain is not a sin and, as long as we seek remedies with a healthy perspective and realistic expectations, there is little wrong with enhancing what we have been blessed with. And isn’t it often the way that it is the teeniest of aesthetic flaws that floor us?

What may be perceived as trivial niggles can certainly put paid to our body confidence, despite our best efforts to carry out a regular grooming regime and ensure we always look our best.

For example, those tiny clusters of thread veins, ordinarily disguised with a dab of foundation or hidden by trousers and long hemlines, become much more of a problem on occasions which call for a make-up free face and bare legs.

Like a bruised peach, it’s the imperfection we notice – not the smooth and radiant skin we’ve worked hard to keep hydrated, moisturised, and plumped – the fruits of our labour seemingly spoilt by a tiny blemish, if you excuse the pun.

However rest assured, those annoying spidery veins (spider nevi or telangiectasia to give them their proper terms) – much like the eight-legged creatures themselves – are often much bigger in our imagination than in reality.

There are a number of treatments which can minimise thread veins without invasive surgery, but, first of all, what are thread veins, why do we have them and is there anything we can do to prevent them developing?

Dr Leah Clinic was awarded the Best Cosmetic Clinic in London

What are thread veins?

A spider nevus is a web-like collection of small blood vessels clustered very close to the surface of the skin, with a central spot and radiating vessels. Also known as thread veins, these tiny vessels can become more exposed as we age and the skin thins. Broken or dilated red veins also occur more as we get older as the cells responsible for producing the pigment in our skin reduces.

Even hormone changes and pregnancy can invite the little blighters to pitch up – in fact, statistics suggest up to 50% of women in the UK will develop thread veins at some point in their lifetime. Typically, they appear around the chin, nose and cheeks and the legs and feet – and, once there, they can be tricky to get rid of.

Recommendations

Unfortunately for some of us the presence of thread veins is simply down to genetics. However, it doesn’t hurt to take preventative measures.

I tend to recommend complete avoidance of any excess sun exposure; in fact, we should cover up in all harsh weather conditions, especially wind which can be very abrasive.

Smoking is an obvious no-no and we should also limit our alcohol intake as both have adverse effects on the skin; affecting its elasticity and fragility. Sticking to a healthy diet and avoiding spicy foods and caffeine are also advised, as, like alcohol, they have an effecting of dilating the blood vessels.

Repair

At the Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics, we refuse to capitulate to capillaries and offer a non-surgical solution in the form of powerful and effective laser treatment for vascular lesions such as thread veins.

We use a special AFT hand-piece on a HarmonyXL laser to treat superficial vascular conditions (as well as pigmented irregularities).

By exposing a vascular lesion to short pulses of light, the temperature in the highly concentrated area being treated is raised sharply enough to damage the vessel wall and shatter it. The targeted veins are then absorbed by the body.

Depending on your skin type (and the lesion being treated) some redness and minor swelling may be visible, but will usually subside around 48 hours after treatment. Lesions may appear darker around 5-7 days later.

The treatment is quick and effective, usually requiring around 3-6 sessions once every 4-6 weeks to completely minimise the appearance of thread veins.

Contact Dr Leah to discuss your thread vein queries

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