“Is That a Bruise?” No Babe, It’s a Thread Vein – Let’s Fix That

Let’s get real — leg thread veins aren’t dangerous, but they can feel downright annoying. If you’ve ever been asked, “Oh, did you bang your leg?” when you’re rocking shorts, or found yourself dabbing concealer on your calves before a holiday — you’re not alone.

At LaserLife Clinic, we see women every week who are fed up with red, blue, or purple thread veins scattered across their legs. The good news? You don’t have to live with them, and you’re definitely not being dramatic for wanting them gone.

So, what exactly are thread veins?

Thread veins — also known as spider veins — are tiny blood vessels that sit just under the surface of your skin. They don’t bulge like varicose veins, but they can branch out like little roadmaps across your body. And while most people notice them on their legs, they’re not limited to that area.

In fact, these pesky veins can also pop up on the:

• Chest
• Back
• Lower rib cage

Don’t worry — we can treat them all.

Why do they happen?

Around 80% of women develop thread veins in their lifetime. Some of the biggest culprits include:

• Hormonal shifts (hello, pregnancy and menopause)
• Long periods of standing or sitting
• Sun exposure
• Genetics (cheers, family)
• Ageing
• Or… just because your body decides to

And no — it’s not your fault.

Can you cover them with makeup? Sure.

But wouldn’t it be easier to just make them disappear?

That’s where our ND:YAG laser comes in. It targets the red or blue pigment in the vessel, heats it up, and collapses it safely. Over time, your body breaks it down naturally — no more cover-up needed. Just smoother, clearer skin.

What veins can we treat?

Thread veins / spider veins

Broken capillaries

Surface-level vessels on the legs, chest, back, or ribcage

We don’t treat varicose veins or deeper live veins connected to underlying circulation issues.

How can you tell the difference?

• Thread veins are flat, painless, and look like fine lines.
• Varicose veins are raised, may throb or ache, and sometimes cause swelling or heaviness.
  If that sounds like you, we’ll always recommend seeing a GP or vascular specialist first.

Does it hurt?

We’ll keep it real — it feels like a hot elastic band snap on the skin, but it’s over quickly and we use cooling to make it more comfortable. Most clients say it’s completely tolerable — especially when you start seeing those veins fade after just one session.

How many treatments will I need?

It depends on the size and number of veins, but most people see a big improvement after just one session. You may need 1–3 sessions to fully treat the area, and we’ll tailor the plan just for you.

Fun fact:

Thread veins don’t affect your circulation — they’re purely cosmetic. But unlike other skin issues, they won’t fade on their own, and creams or serums won’t touch them. Laser is the gold standard.

So… should I go for it?

If you’re constantly covering up your legs, chest or back, dodging mirror reflections, or explaining away “bruises” — this treatment could be a total game-changer. We’ll guide you through it step by step and make sure you feel comfortable the whole way