ThermaVein Spider Vein Treatment
A precise, walk-in, walk-out treatment for fine red veins on the face and small spider veins on the body. Performed by registered nurses, supervised by a vascular surgeon.
Individual results may vary.
What is ThermaVein?
Thread veins are the fine red or purple lines that sit just under the skin. You might hear them called spider veins, broken capillaries or telangiectasias. They are very common, especially around the nose, on the cheeks and on the legs.
ThermaVein is a medical device made to treat these small veins one at a time. It is useful for veins that are too fine to inject and for delicate areas of the face.
Thread veins are usually harmless. Not everyone who has them needs or wants treatment. If yours bother you, we can take a look, tell you honestly what is likely to help, and explain what it will cost before you decide.
How ThermaVein Works
Your nurse rests a very fine, single-use probe on the skin over the vein. It is about the width of a hair. A tiny, controlled pulse of energy seals the vein wall. With no blood flowing through it, the vein fades from view and your body gradually clears it away.
The nurse repeats this along the length of each vein. Because the energy is low and tightly targeted, the skin around the vein is left alone.
Step 1Target
The probe is placed on the vein.
Step 2Seal
A brief pulse closes that section of the vein.
Step 3Repeat
The nurse works along the vein until it has been treated.
What ThermaVein Can Treat
- Fine red thread veins on the nose, cheeks and chin
- Spider veins on the face and body
- Spider naevi (a red dot with fine veins spreading out from it)
- Cherry angiomas (small bright red spots)
- Small, fine red veins on the legs, after a vein check
ThermaVein is not a treatment for varicose veins, larger blue veins, or widespread facial redness and flushing. Those are better treated in other ways, and we will tell you if that applies to you.
Veins on your legs? We check first.
Spider veins on the legs are often only a surface concern. Sometimes they are fed by a deeper vein that is not working properly. Treating the surface alone in that case gives a poor result, and the veins tend to come back.
Pulse is a specialist vein clinic, so we can check this for you. If your nurse sees signs of an underlying vein problem, we will recommend an assessment before any cosmetic treatment.
Which Spider Vein Treatment Is Right for You?
No single treatment suits every vein. We offer three options for small veins and will recommend the one that fits yours. Sometimes the best result comes from a combination.
| ThermaVein | Microsclerotherapy | Vascular laser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usually suits | Very fine red veins, especially on the face. Small isolated red spots. | Spider veins and larger blue reticular veins on the legs | Facial redness, broken capillaries, leg spider veins and telangiectasias |
| How it works | A fine probe rests on the skin with gentle pressure and seals the vein with a small burst of energy | A tiny needle places an irritant solution inside the vein | Laser light is absorbed by the vein causing the vein to seal |
| Session time | 10 to 30 minutes | 15 to 30 minutes | Varies by area |
| Compression stockings after | Not needed | 7 to 10 days | Not needed |
| Sessions | Often one or two. A course for larger areas. | Often several | 1 to 3 for most vein concerns |
Your nurse will assess your skin and veins and explain which option is likely to work best, and why.
ThermaVein Costs
ThermaVein is priced by the time your treatment takes, not by the vein. You will know which session you need, and what it costs, before we start.
| Session | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Spot Treatment | 10 minutes or less | $180 |
| Standard Session | 15 minutes | $295 |
| Extended Session | 30 minutes | $450 |
- Spot Treatment suits one or two small veins or a single red spot.
- Standard Session suits a typical area, such as the veins around the nose or across one cheek.
- Extended Session suits several areas or more widespread veins.
Prices include GST. If your veins need a second session, your nurse will tell you at your review.
ThermaVein is a cosmetic treatment, so it is not usually covered by health insurance.
Your ThermaVein Appointment
Before. Come with clean skin. No make-up, moisturiser or sunscreen on the area, and please do not use alcohol-based cleansers beforehand. Your nurse will ask about your health and medications, look at your veins, and confirm whether ThermaVein is right for you.
During. You will feel a brief, sharp pinch with each pulse. Many people compare it to a hair being plucked. It is over quickly and no anaesthetic is needed. Most sessions take 10 to 30 minutes.
Straight after. The area will look red and may feel warm, a little like mild sunburn. You can go back to work or your normal day.
Review. We check the area at 6 weeks. If any veins need more treatment, it can be done then.
ThermaVein Recovery Guidelines
- Redness: Common after treatment. It usually settles within a few days but can last 4 to 6 weeks.
- Tiny crusts: Small, dry marks can form along the treated vein. Let them fall away on their own. Do not pick or scrub.
- Leg veins: These can look darker or more obvious for a few weeks before they fade. This is expected.
- First 48 hours: Avoid touching or stretching the area. Wash gently with lukewarm water. Skip hard exercise, saunas and anything that makes you flush. If you flush easily, avoid alcohol and spicy food.
- Skincare and make-up: Gentle products only. Avoid exfoliants, scrubs and steam until the skin has healed. Aloe vera gel can be soothing.
- Sun: Use a broad-spectrum SPF 50 every day. Avoid sunbeds.
- Compression stockings: Not needed.
- Next session: At least 4 weeks after the last.
- Concerned? Call us on 0800 4 Pulse (0800 4 78573). We would rather hear from you.
ThermaVein – FAQs
ThermaVein is a medical device for treating fine thread veins and small red blemishes. A hair-fine probe delivers a tiny pulse of energy that seals the vein, so it fades from view.
Thread veins, also called spider veins or broken capillaries, are small red, blue or purple veins just under the skin. They are common on the face and legs. Sun exposure, age, hormones, rosacea and family history can all play a part. They are usually harmless.
No. Thread veins on the face are a cosmetic concern, and treatment is a personal choice. On the legs they can occasionally point to an underlying vein problem, which is why we check before treating.
Most people describe a quick, sharp pinch with each pulse, similar to a hair being plucked. Some areas, such as around the nose, are more sensitive. No anaesthetic is needed.
Between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on how many veins are being treated.
Small areas often need one or two sessions. Larger or more stubborn areas may need more. Sessions are spaced at least 4 weeks apart. We will give you an honest estimate at your first visit.
Many facial veins look fainter straight away, although redness from the treatment can hide this for a few days. Leg veins take longer and can look darker before they fade over several weeks.
A vein that has been successfully treated does not usually come back. Treatment does not stop new veins forming over time, so some people return for a top-up in later years. Results vary between people.
No. You can go straight back to your day. Expect some redness, and possibly tiny crusts, for a few days. Occasionally redness lasts 4 to 6 weeks.
ThermaVein uses low energy on a very small area, so side effects are usually minor and short-lived: redness, mild swelling and small crusts. Less commonly, treatment can leave a small mark or a change in skin colour. Your nurse will go through the risks with you before you consent.
Unlike light-based treatments, ThermaVein does not target skin pigment, so it can be used on a wide range of skin tones. Your nurse will confirm this when assessing your skin.
You may not be suitable if you:
- Have a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device
- Are pregnant
- Have an active skin infection, cold sore or broken skin in the area
Tell your nurse about your medical history and medications so we can advise you properly.
Laser and IPL use light to treat veins and redness across an area. ThermaVein treats one vein at a time with a fine probe. It can be a good option for individual veins, small spots and delicate areas. For widespread redness, laser or IPL is often the better choice. We offer all three and will recommend what suits you.
Microsclerotherapy uses a tiny needle to place a solution inside the vein. It works well for spider veins and blue veins on the legs. ThermaVein suits veins that are too fine to inject. The two are often used together.
No. Varicose veins need a different approach. Start with a vein assessment.
Ashleigh, our Pulse Aesthetics Nurse, leads the ThermaVein service, with treatments also carried out by other members of our team. Ashleigh is a registered nurse trained and certified in ThermaVein, working under the supervision of our vascular surgeon.
At Pulse Injectables clinics.
- Spot Treatment (10 minutes or less): $180
- Standard Session (15 minutes): $295
- Extended Session (30 minutes): $450
Request a Consultation
Request an initial consultation with our team, usually by phone. Your nurse will determine the treatment length and arrange treatment afterwards.
Phone: 0800 4 Pulse (0800 4 78573)
Email: info@pulsehealth.nz
Available at: Pulse Injectables clinics
Medical Disclaimer: ThermaVein is a medical device treatment performed by trained registered nurses. It is not suitable for everyone, and your nurse will assess whether it is right for you. All results are individual and may vary. This content is for information only and is not medical advice.