Why do facial thread veins develop?
Telangiectasia – commonly known as thread veins – are permanently dilated tiny blood vessels lying directly beneath the surface of the skin. They develop through a combination of genetic predisposition, years of UV exposure, changes in temperature and a weakened vessel wall. They occur particularly often on the sides of the nose, on the cheeks and on the chin. In rosacea they are part of the clinical picture and often go together with episodes of facial flushing.
One point matters: before every treatment we assess dermatologically whether an underlying condition requiring treatment lies behind the vessels. Otherwise an untreated rosacea would continue to progress while we removed only its visible consequences.
How the KTP laser works
The KTP laser works at a wavelength of 532 nanometres. This green light is absorbed almost entirely by the haemoglobin in the blood and converted into heat – the vessel coagulates from within and its wall seals shut. The surrounding tissue is spared, because it barely absorbs this wavelength. Over the following weeks the body breaks down the sealed vessel.
The procedure and aftercare
Depending on the extent, the treatment takes five to fifteen minutes. The individual pulses are felt as a brief, warm sting, comparable to the flick of a rubber band – no anaesthetic is required. Immediately afterwards the treated vessels may look darker, or they disappear straight away. For one to two days the skin is slightly red and may be swollen; crusting does not usually occur.
- Cooling as needed, gentle skincare without acids or retinol
- Result assessed after four weeks; one to three sessions depending on the findings
How long the result lasts
The treated vessels do not come back. The predisposition remains, however, so new thread veins may form elsewhere. Experience shows that a short top-up roughly every two years is worthwhile. Consistent sun protection extends the result considerably.
The laser closes the visible vessels – the tendency towards redness remains. Our skincare department SKIN. advises on low-irritation cleansing, soothing active skincare and suitable sun protection, all of which do reddened skin good between sessions.
To the medical deep cleansing facial →Fees
| Treatment | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual vessels (e.g. sides of the nose) | from €150 |
| Both cheeks | from €280 |
| Full face | from €420 |
For patients with statutory health insurance the treatment is a self-pay service (IGeL); it is invoiced according to the GOÄ scale of fees. Many private health insurers cover KTP laser treatment for rosacea. Where there is a medical indication the service is exempt from VAT; where the indication is aesthetic, the amounts are final prices including 19 % VAT.
Frequently asked questions
What does laser treatment for facial thread veins cost?
Do the thread veins come back?
How many sessions will I need?
Does the treatment hurt?
Can I go out in public afterwards?
Does health insurance pay for it?
Source: S2k-Leitlinie "Lasertherapie der Haut" (German S2k guideline on laser therapy of the skin; DDG); S1-Leitlinie "Rosazea" (German S1 guideline on rosacea; DDG)