Face Value

By: Christine Heather
Created on 07th June 2010

Facial thread veins can make you look older than your years. Christine Heather of Castle SkinCareClinic in Macclesfield explains about a revolutionary new treatment she offers to help you gain the confidence to look and feel your best

Facial thread veins can develop for a number of reasons: genetics, environmental damage and lifestyle all have a part to play, and if you are a sufferer, they can have a huge impact on your self esteem.

For many years, aesthetic practitioners like myself have been searching for an effective method to treat thread veins, with permanent results.

There is a system called Veinwave, which is very effective, but this is only available to doctors and surgeons. Now, at last, the same technology is available to aestheticians in a machine called V-Beauty, which can be used to treat thread veins, red blood spots and spider veins.

The V-Beauty treatment is a very superficial procedure to safely and effectively treat these conditions, which can occur on both men and women, on all skin colours and types.

V-Beauty was recently featured on the Channel 4 show Embarrassing Bodies, and as one of very few clinics in the Northwest offering the treatment, I have been asked a lot of questions about it since the show. I have tried to answer some of these questions below.

How does V-Beauty work?

V-Beauty uses thermocoagulation: a very high frequency current, which produces a very rapid burst of heat within the vein. The energy produced destroys the vein, causing it to dry up instantly whilst leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. The treatment is intense and will result in the vein wall 'sticking' together. This causes the vein to collapse and disappear.

What happens during the treatment?

Using a polarised light, the practitioner introduces the high frequency current to the broken vein via a very fine, sterile needle. This allows us to work very precisely with almost no skin disruption.

Is it painful?

That very much depends. When treating thread veins on the cheeks, the sensation has been described as 'uncomfortable'. On or inside the nose the treatment will be more painful. Topical anaesthetic can be used and/or paracetamol an hour before treatment.

What can I expect after the treatment?

Immediately post-treatment, the treated veins may appear reddened and more prominent than before. These effects will settle within two days. A small amount of micro-scabbing may develop; this will disappear within two weeks.

How long is a treatment?

The actual treatment can last anywhere from around 15 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. A consultation is necessary before the treatment and a patch test is advisable at this time.

How many treatments will I need?

Depending on the severity of the problem, anything from one to six treatments may be necessary.

Will my veins come back?

No. Although more veins may develop elsewhere, once a vein has been treated with V-Beauty it is impossible for it to return, as the treatment destroys it.