THREAD VEIN REMOVAL AT OUR KENT CLINIC

Firstly, let’s take a moment to look at the difference between varicose and spider/thread veins to dispel any common myths:

WHAT ARE SPIDER VEINS/THREAD VEINS?
You may sometimes hear people mention “spider veins” or “thread veins” which are similar to varicose veins but are smaller in appearance and closer to the surface of the skin. They are mostly found on legs and faces and are typically blue or red in colour. If you have them, you’ll recognize them by their jagged tree-like or spiderweb appearance. Spider veins can be caused by the backup of blood, hormonal changes, normal ageing, excessive sun exposure or injuries. It’s also known that your family genes can play an important role as well.

WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS?
Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged which can appear on the skin as blue, red, or even flesh coloured. If you have them, they make look slightly twisted and can sometimes bulge above your skin’s surface. They are commonly found on the inside of the leg, back of your calves or on your thighs and can often show up in other areas during pregnancy. Please be aware that as varicose veins and thread veins are different, we only provide treatment for thread/spider veins at our Kent clinic.

NON-SURGICAL PLASMA FIBROBLAST FOR SPIDER/THREAD VEIN REMOVAL
Firstly, you may be wondering exactly what the word “fibroblast” and “plasma” actually mean so let’s get a bit geeky first before we delve into the treatment itself.

WHAT IS A FIBROBLAST?
A fibroblast is a type of cell found in the connective tissue in your body. It produces fibres such as collagen and produces the structural framework for body tissue. It also plays a vital role in the healing of wounds and fibroblast cells are the most common cells in the connective tissue in our bodies.

WHAT IS PLASMA?
Although you don’t often hear it mentioned, plasma is the unsung hero component of our blood. As white and red blood cells (together with platelets) are essential for our body to function, plasma is the stuff in which these components travel throughout our body. Essentially, it provides a taxi service for them, enabling them to get to where they’re needed in the body as it’s the fluid in which they travel. In fact, it’s the largest component of your blood, making up over half of its overall content. On its own, plasma is similar to the colour of straw and also carries vital water, salts and enzymes around our bodies.

HOW DOES THE TREATMENT WORK?
The treatment we provide at our Kent clinic for thread/spider veins is very similar to our non-surgical plasma skin tightening and eyelift procedures. The process is fairly straightforward and can produce amazing results. In The US, its sometimes called a vein wave system and in the video below, doctor Alexander Rivkin notes that it’s been fully tested by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and has been certified as totally safe.

If you watched the video, you’ll see the doctor is holding a pen-like device as he explains how it works prior to giving a demonstration – Quite simply, the tiny needle at the tip is inserted just under the skin where it delivers a very precise pulse of heat energy right next to the thread vein. The ability to be precise is a crucial advantage as its shut down the unsightly vein instantly and permanently. This isn’t to say that you’ll never get them again in the same area of your body in the future as your lifestyle and the natural ageing process is a factor too.

The vein is collapsed by the energy pulses and the results are instant. The small thread veins die-off and the visible signs are significantly reduced. At this point, your body will take over and the affected tissue will then begin to be reabsorbed by your body naturally over the weeks that follow.

WHAT ABOUT PAIN OR DISCOMFORT?
If you’re worried about pain, swelling or bruising, Dr. Rivkin also reassures us that this isn’t an issue with this type of treatment. In fact, even numbing cream isn’t required beforehand and, as the effects are minimal, the surrounding tissue isn’t damaged which helps to minimise any discomfort you may feel as the needle gently pricks your skin.

THE HEALING PROCESS
There will be a slight discolouration of your skin initially and any redness caused by the treatment usually goes away between one and three days. The tiny scars created by the procedure will slowly dissipate over the next two weeks, leaving virtually no noticeable marks on your skin whatsoever. In some cases, there may be a slight scabbing of the area, but this won’t take long to heal naturally and will disappear of its own accord over a relatively short time.

If you notice small, darkish spots on the treated area that resemble a burn, this is nothing to worry about. You may also experience slight swelling, but again, this is normal. The area may feel tender and tingly and you should avoid rubbing or scratching it as it’s important to keep the area clean. You may experience some very minor discomfort and if this is the case, non-prescription pain relief is fine.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED AND HOW LONG IS THE SESSION?
For many, you’ll only need one session at our Kent clinic and this largely depends on how badly affected the area of skin is. If you have a large area (or several different areas) it may be necessary to book a further appointment. Typically, most treatments can be carried out within an hour.

YOUR APPOINTMENT
When you arrive at our Kent clinic, we’ll have an informal chat about the procedure and you’ll get to ask any questions you may have. We’ll discuss what will happen and perform a patch test on your skin prior to going ahead with the treatment.

AFTERCARE
We will give you advice during your appointment and provide you with written information to take home with you. In short, keep the area clean and dry and avoid touching it. You should also avoid direct sunlight and any excessive heat or cold.