What are Red Veins?

Otherwise known as broken capillaries or thread veins, red veins lie in the deeper layers of the skin. Exposure to harsh elements, and other contributing factors, can lead them to dilate and rupture into the surface skin layers. The blood cannot flow away from these ruptured capillaries but becomes trapped and stagnant giving the appearance of “high colour” or a network of tiny red threads.

What Causes Red Veins?

Smoking, sun damage/exposure and stress are the three biggest causes. However, pregnancy, heredity, alcohol, allergies, hay fever, poor health, diet (hot spicy foods, tea and coffee), climate (extremes of hot and cold) high blood pressure, prescribed drugs i.e. sterioids or physical trauma to the area can all be contributing factors.

Where are they found?

Only seen on fair, sensitive skin, they start to develop on men and women in their late 20s or early 30s, growing progressively larger and more obvious with age. Red veins are very common around corners of the nose, base of the nostrils and extending across the cheeks to the edge of the face. They can occur on the chin and outer eye area and can also be found on neck, chest and legs.

How can they be treated?

Treatment starts with a confidential consultation and taking a client’s medical history. Red Vein treatment is minor cosmetic surgery. A therapist who is qualified to treat red veins has completed a minimum of 5 years electrolysis before she can treat red veins. A fine, sterile needle, placed just along the red vein, delivers a small electrical current which cauterises the vein so the pooling of blood in it dries up and disappears.

What will my skin look like after a treatment?

The treatment area will be reddened and may even be slightly swollen. For the next few days, depending on how well your skin heals, there may be some tiny scabbing like little red dots, but this is only temporary and will soon be followed by a reduction in redness as the skin responds to treatment.

What will I have to do after a treatment?

Please read our Red Vein Aftercare sheet, follow the instructions to prevent any infection or irritation. It is imperative that you do not pick any tiny scabs that may appear – remember those scabs have formed to prevent infection and allow the new skin to develop underneath. We always recommend our Sterex Aloe Vera Gel, containing 95% liquid extract Aloe Vera in a conditioning gel, applied regularly within the first 48 hours will soothe, seal and calm the treated, reducing redness; this can be purchased at the clinic.

How long will the treatment take?

Depending on the severity, Red Vein treatment is available for ¼ hour or ½ hour sessions. Several treatments are often necessary to improve the area. Treatments are every 3-6 weeks to allow the skin to rest in between treatments and see the results of the previous treatment. We always recommend planning in advance.

Prevention of Red Veins

Cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night with Gatineau Sensitive Cream Cleanser and Gentle Sensitive Toner. Always apply Gatineau Anti- redness cream and Gatineau Protective Cream to the treated area 48 hours post treatment and as an on-going a.m. and p.m. homecare routine. Also, apply our SPF 30 (a light non greasy, non whitening anti UVA and UVB sun protector) to the skin to give added protection all year round.

Please click here to read our After Care for Red Vein Treatment page.