Veins around the nose
Small visible vessels commonly develop around the sides and creases of the nose and can often be treated very precisely.
Laser Clinic · South Kensington
Laser & IPL Thread Vein Removal
Targeted treatment for visible facial thread veins, broken capillaries and selected areas of diffuse redness.
At Santi London, we use vascular laser and IPL according to the type, colour and distribution of the vessels, your skin type and the area being treated.
Visible facial vessels
What are facial thread veins?
Thread veins — also called telangiectasia — are small visible blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. They commonly appear around the nose, cheeks and chin and may look red, purple or blue.
Some people have individual visible vessels, while others have more generalised background redness. These patterns are not necessarily treated in the same way.
Vascular laser allows us to target selected vessels precisely, while IPL can be useful where redness is more diffuse.
The important distinction:
we choose the technology according to the vessel and the skin —
rather than treating every form of facial redness with the same
device or settings.
Watch laser vein removal in action
A short in-clinic demonstration showing targeted treatment of a visible facial vessel at Santi London.
Laser thread vein treatment · Santi London · South Kensington
Laser thread vein treatment · Santi London · South Kensington
How does thread vein removal work?
Both laser and IPL use light energy, but they deliver it differently and are suited to different vascular concerns.
Nd:YAG vascular laser
The laser delivers a selected wavelength of light that is absorbed by haemoglobin within the vessel.
This generates controlled heat within the targeted vessel. Over time, successfully treated vessels can fade and become less visible.
- Useful for discrete visible vessels
- Precise targeting
- Particularly useful for selected red or blue vessels
- Treatment can be adjusted vessel by vessel
IPL
IPL — intense pulsed light — uses filtered broad-spectrum light rather than a single laser wavelength.
It can be useful where redness is more diffuse or where there are numerous small superficial vascular features across a broader area.
- Useful for selected diffuse facial redness
- Treats a broader area at each pulse
- Can improve overall appearance of redness
- May complement targeted vascular laser
Choosing the right treatment
| Concern | Nd:YAG Laser | IPL |
|---|---|---|
| Individual visible vessels | Often particularly useful | May be appropriate |
| Diffuse background redness | Selected areas | Often more suitable |
| Precise vessel targeting | Yes | Less focal |
| Broad-area treatment | Less suited | Yes |
| Combination treatment | Sometimes both technologies can form part of the same overall treatment plan. | |
Treatment choice is confirmed after consultation and patch testing. Not every type of redness or visible vessel is suitable for light or laser treatment.
What can we treat?
Cheek vessels
Discrete facial telangiectasia over the cheeks may respond to vascular laser depending on vessel size, colour and skin type.
Diffuse redness
Where the concern is generalised background redness rather than one visible vessel, IPL may be considered where appropriate.
Chin & facial vessels
Small superficial vessels around the chin and other selected facial areas can be assessed for treatment.
Small angiomas
Selected small vascular lesions may be suitable for laser treatment following assessment.
Recurring vessels
Existing vessels may respond to treatment, but new vessels can develop over time due to genetics, sun exposure and other factors.
Redness & rosacea
What if I have rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition rather than simply a collection of visible blood vessels.
Laser or IPL may be useful for selected vascular features associated with rosacea — such as visible vessels or persistent background redness — but this does not mean that light treatment “cures” rosacea itself.
If your skin is actively inflamed, unusually sensitive or the diagnosis is uncertain, we may recommend that the underlying condition is assessed before proceeding with elective laser or IPL.
What happens at Santi?
Step 01
Assessment
We assess the vessels, surrounding skin, recent sun exposure, medical history and factors that may affect treatment.
Step 02
Patch test
Where appropriate, a patch test allows us to assess skin response before proceeding with full treatment.
Step 03
Treatment
Laser or IPL settings are selected according to the vessel, treatment area and your individual skin characteristics.
Skin type & safety
Can darker skin tones have vascular laser treatment?
Skin tone is an important consideration when choosing vascular laser or IPL because melanin in the epidermis can also absorb light energy.
As epidermal melanin increases, careful selection of the device, wavelength, settings and treatment timing becomes increasingly important. There may also be a greater risk of pigmentary change, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
For this reason, suitability is assessed individually rather than assuming that the same treatment protocol is appropriate for every skin tone.
Patch testing matters.
Your clinician will assess your skin, recent tanning or sun
exposure and the vascular concern before recommending treatment.
How to prepare
Avoid tanning
Avoid deliberate tanning and sunbeds before treatment. Tell us about recent significant sun exposure or changes in skin colour.
Use SPF
Protect the treatment area from excessive UV exposure and use a broad-spectrum SPF as part of your normal skincare routine.
Tell us about medication
Please disclose prescription medicines, over-the-counter medication and relevant topical products, particularly anything that may increase photosensitivity.
What should I expect afterwards?
Redness & swelling
Temporary redness, warmth or mild swelling can occur after vascular laser or IPL. This commonly settles over the following hours or days.
Vessel appearance
A treated vessel may initially appear darker, greyer or more noticeable before fading. The response varies according to the vessel and technology used.
Micro-crusting
Occasional superficial crusting can occur. Do not pick or scrub the area; allow it to resolve naturally.
Skincare & sun
Use gentle skincare and sun protection. Avoid aggressive exfoliation, waxing or other irritating treatments until the skin has settled.
Downtime is typically limited,
but the degree of redness, swelling or temporary vessel
darkening varies between people and according to the area treated.
An important distinction
What about thread veins on the legs?
Facial and leg veins should not automatically be treated in the same way.
Some small leg vessels may be suitable for vascular laser, but leg veins can have different underlying characteristics and other treatments — including sclerotherapy — may be more appropriate in selected cases.
Larger, symptomatic, bulging or otherwise concerning leg veins may require medical vascular assessment rather than cosmetic laser treatment.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number because vessel size, depth, colour, location and individual response all influence treatment.
1–3 sessions
A short course is common for facial vascular treatment, although some individual vessels may respond sooner and others may require additional treatment.
4–6 weeks
Where further treatment is needed, sessions are commonly spaced to allow the skin and treated vessels time to respond.
Maintenance
Successfully treated vessels may fade significantly, but treatment does not prevent new facial vessels from developing in the future.
Pricing
Laser thread vein removal
From £150Pricing depends on the treatment area, number of vessels and technology required.
Your practitioner will confirm suitability and the recommended treatment plan following assessment and patch testing where appropriate.
Thread Vein Removal FAQs
Does laser permanently remove thread veins?
A successfully treated vessel may fade substantially or become no longer visible. However, laser treatment cannot prevent new vessels developing in the future.
Is laser thread vein removal painful?
People commonly describe a brief hot or snapping sensation with each pulse. Comfort varies according to the treatment area, vessel and settings used.
Is IPL or laser better for facial veins?
It depends on the vascular concern. A vascular laser can provide precise treatment of individual visible vessels, while IPL can be useful for selected diffuse background redness. Sometimes a combination is appropriate.
Can you treat veins around the nose?
Yes, small visible vessels around the nose are a common reason for vascular laser treatment, subject to assessment and suitability.
How many treatments will I need?
Many patients have a short course of approximately 1–3 sessions. The actual number depends on the vessel type, treatment area and individual response.
Will the veins come back?
Successfully treated vessels may remain significantly reduced, but new vessels can develop over time. Genetics, UV exposure, skin conditions and other factors can influence their formation.
Can IPL treat rosacea?
IPL may help reduce selected visible vascular features associated with rosacea, including persistent redness or small vessels. Rosacea itself is a chronic skin condition and may require a broader management plan.
Can darker skin tones be treated?
Some vascular treatments may be possible across a range of skin tones, but suitability depends on the technology, wavelength, skin pigmentation and vascular concern. Pigmentary risk must be considered carefully and patch testing may be particularly important.
Can you treat leg thread veins?
Some small leg vessels may be suitable for laser, but treatment options differ from facial vessels and alternatives such as sclerotherapy may be more appropriate. Assessment is therefore important.
Laser treatments at Santi
Santi Laser Clinic · South Kensington
Not sure whether you need laser or IPL?
Start with an assessment. We can examine the vessels and your skin type, discuss the likely response and determine whether Nd:YAG laser, IPL or another approach is most appropriate.
Santi London · 33 Thurloe Street · South Kensington · London SW7 2LQ
Treatment suitability, settings and expected results are individual. Your clinician's advice takes precedence over general information on this page.