Thread veins are common in many individuals and may be caused by several factors. Thanks to today’s advanced technology, they can be treated easily and in less time.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy has proved to be one of the most effective treatments for curing spider veins and other skin concerns such as rosacea, wrinkles, and pigmentation. It uses a broad range of light wavelengths to target and get rid of broken veins without affecting the surrounding skin.
The Lumenis IPL Machine is a powerful platform that assists aestheticians and physicians in performing a multitude of treatments for various skin types and issues. It offers noninvasive treatments, making them more comfortable for patients and helping them achieve desirable results for their skin faster.
What are Thread Veins?
Thread veins, also known as Spider veins, broken capillaries or telangiectasia, are a branched network of small veins or capillaries that appear right below the skin surface. They are usually found on the face, under the eyes, around the nose, or on the legs, ankles, or feet, but they can occur anywhere on the body.
The small capillaries have valves to maintain blood flow in the right direction. Blood accumulates in the capillaries when these valves are damaged or worn out. This causes them to enlarge and appear as a reddish-pink, blue, or purple web on the skin.
Spider veins are not a health hazard compared to varicose veins, and people get them removed primarily for aesthetic reasons, to feel good about their skin, and to boost their confidence.
Causes of Thread Veins
The following reasons can cause spider or thread veins. Some of them can also increase your risk of developing them:
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Trauma
- Sun damage
- Regular aging
- Hormonal changes
- Family history
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Exposure to extreme temperatures
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Excessive exposure to topical steroids
What Is IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a popular and effective treatment option, offering a noninvasive solution to improve the appearance of the skin. It is commonly used to address various aesthetic skin concerns, including broken capillaries, rosacea, sun damage, sun spots, laser hair removal, uneven skin texture, shrinking large pores, pigmentation, and removing wrinkles and fine lines.
IPL involves a broader spectrum of light wavelengths as compared to laser. This light is targeted at the affected area of the skin. It penetrates the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and travels down to the middle layer (dermis) to treat the issue at hand.
How Does IPL Work?
An IPL session is characterised by a technician using a handheld device to target the affected area of your skin. Before beginning the treatment, they will apply a thin layer of clear gel on the skin. You may need to wear goggles for eye protection if you are getting IPL for treating spider veins on the face is being worked on. Skincare technicians mostly use cooling technologies to soothe your skin, as you may experience mild discomfort or a little tickling or stinging sensation during the treatment, depending on your pain threshold.
A session generally lasts for 10 to 15 minutes or about half an hour, sometimes depending on the number of veins being treated. You can resume your normal activities immediately after the treatment. It is faster and less painful than laser therapy. The best IPL usually has minimal downtime and you can notice a visible difference in your skin soon after.
How Lumenis IPL Treats Thread Veins?
The Lumenis IPL machine uses light wavelengths ranging from 400nm to 1200nm. The rays from Lumenis IPL are targeted in the affected area, where they destroy broken veins without impacting the surrounding area. This light, when selectively absorbed by the haemoglobin present in the veins, produces heat. The heat damages the walls of veins and causes them to coagulate and they eventually disappear with time. The body’s natural healing system clears up its residual in a few days or weeks, restoring the skin to its original condition.
The Lumenis technology enables cooling of the skin between pulses which minimises skin damage and promises great results for the skin.
Advantages of Lumenis IPL Over Other Treatments
The Lumenis IPL for broken capillaries has several advantages over other treatments, which are as follows:
- Non-invasive
- Minimal downtime
- Precision in targeting thread veins without affecting surrounding skin
- Versatility in treating different skin types, issues, and conditions
- Advanced cooling technology for minimal skin damage and great results
- Ergonomic design provides ease of use for technicians
- The Lumenis M22™ Universal IPL and Laser machine allows technicians can tailor their IPL settings for spider veins for each patient and condition
- Long-term results and maintenance
- Enhanced patient comfort
- Designed with the latest technology
Safety and Side Effects
It’s important to let your doctor know beforehand about any pertaining or pre-existing skin conditions or medications that can impact the treatment.
After getting an IPL treatment, you might experience mild redness or swelling. It is completely normal and will go away within a day or two without impacting your daily routine activities. Some other side effects patients may experience include:
- Bruising
- Change in skin colour
- Scarring (mostly occurs in people with darker skin tones)
Post-treatment care includes:
- Use SPF 50+ sunscreen daily
- Avoiding direct and harsh sun exposure through hats and appropriate clothing
- Regularly use topical skincare products such as moisturisers and vitamins to keep your skin in good condition
- Stay hydrated
Who Can Benefit from Lumenis IPL for Thread Veins?
Anyone can benefit from Lumenis IPL for getting their thread veins treated as long as they:
- Do not have active infections, viral, fungal or bacterial diseases, inflammatory skin conditions or skin cancer.
- Your spider veins are red or purple and are close to your skin’s surface.
- You have light to medium skin tone.
IPL vs Laser for Broken Capillaries
Apart from IPL laser treatment for spider veins, other options are available for removing them. These include a range of both invasive and non-invasive treatments. However, IPL and laser are the most common and popular treatments suggested for broken capillaries. IPL is faster and less painful than laser therapy.
Consult your skin therapist to choose the best option for removing spider veins. They will recommend the best treatment after deeply examining your skin type and issues and considering other factors involved to help you achieve the desired results.
Is IPL The Right Treatment For My Spider Veins?
Each skin type is different so there is no absolute answer to this question unless you get your skin examined by a professional. At Skinsation, we have a team of expert therapists who scan your skin for its type and concerns to recommend the best possible treatment. We are equipped with ThermaVein and the latest Lumenis IPL technology to remove your thread veins and get you illuminating, radiant skin in no time. Book your appointment or visit our clinic today!
Our positive customer reviews for IPL thread vein removal vouch for our quality services and treatments.
Putting It Together
IPL is undoubtedly one of the most effective options for treating spider veins. The Lumenis IPL technology is truly a game-changer in the aesthetics treatment industry for its versatility and ergonomic design. Many skincare professionals worldwide highly recommend it.
FAQs
1. Are spider veins and varicose veins the same?
Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, spider veins are not the same as varicose veins. They both can appear on your legs but the two are slightly different from each other. Spider veins are smaller in size, while varicose veins are bigger and more rope-like in their appearance.
2. How many IPL sessions are needed to treat spider veins completely?
It depends on your skin condition and the number of broken capillaries. However, you will start noticing a difference right after the first session. If you have a higher ratio of spider veins, it might take several sessions to completely treat them, and vice versa.
3. What areas can Lumenis IPL treat?
The Lumenis IPL machine is effective for treating thread veins on the face, legs, and other areas of the body. It can also be used to fix other skin concerns such as rosacea, wrinkles, laser hair removal,sun damage and more.
