Thread veins on legs - is there any hope? (Pics included)

[user1497254675]

Just that. I’m in my 30s, very fit and healthy but blighted with these awful veins (nearly all on one leg). My mum doesn’t have any. I NEVER wear shorts and would love to so much. Please give me all my options - what can I do? Am so tired of people saying I must be roasting in these hot weather and that I need some shorts, etc.

Thank you in advance. x

[puds11]

I’ve just bought some vein away cream after a recommendation on here but mine aren’t quite as severe. Maybe worth a try though to see if it reduces it? Another alternative is cosmetic surgery but I think there may be side effects such as more pressure on other veins.

Do you smoke? Spend a lot of time sat down or stood up?

[superram]

The smaller ones could be removed by lasers-don’t cross your legs.

[user1497254675]

Thanks puds and super. puds - I’ve never smoked and am an (ex pro) dancer so have spent a lot of time on my feet, I guess?

[starray]

I have them too. Does crossing your legs cause this? I cross my legs a lot.

[puds11]

You could try wearing compression tights or socks to see if this helps to reduce them?

[puds11]

Crossing your legs puts pressure on the veins which could lead to thread veins. That is my understanding.

[Swiftier]

I feel your pain, I’m in my early 30s and have these on my thighs. I’m also very fit and slim, my legs are a nice shape but I avoid shorts and skirts. I’m planning on getting them removed next year, there’s various things that can be done - I’ll book a consultation and see what they recommend. In the meantime I’ll be using gradual tan on my legs as this helps. I’m not sure if over the counter stuff really works.

[EyeShipMiceElf]

Mine are like this too, when I wear shorts I never venture inside without an application of Airbrush Legs, it’s amazing. I use shade Light and the lotion is less messy than the aerosol.

[Terralee]

I have them from years of standing & walking round the wards.
I find a bit of a tan helps but basically I try to brazen it out & wear shorts/ short skirts anyway.
It's annoying but basically my best friend has a prosthetic leg so I feel guilty getting upset about a few veins.

But I don't want to minimise how you feel OP sorry. I know you can get them lasered or injected. And as I said a tan definitely makes them look better - fake or real.
Also you can try camouflage make up.

[browzingss]

I don’t want to minimise how you feel either OP, but honestly, I wouldn’t notice them if you were wearing shorts. And if I did, I wouldn’t care. Wear the shorts if you want.

I have marks on my legs but I still get my legs out. I get complimented on them all the time and people even comment on how “clear” my skin is - which I obviously find bizarre as I know I have these marks. Just goes to show that people don’t pay much attention to your flaws.

[ellanwood]

I'd use a really good false tan and build it up to be quite dark. If your legs are toned (as you're an ex-dancer, I bet they are) and you've shaved them and moisturised them if necessary, I doubt anyone will even notice the veins except you.

[BatshitCrazyWoman]

I find sclerotherapy is excellent (and cheaper than laser).

[Lamentations]

Laser works a treat. Purple veins on pale skin are very receptive so you should see great results although if you have a lot it might be a bit much to have done in one session. You can get a course of three in a reputable salon for a few hundred pounds, which sounds a lot but it is LIFE CHANGING.

[Zufair]

Well its surgery or fake tan and make up to cover it. It doesn't look bad, wear the shorts!

[CrossFreelancer]

I work in Aesthetics. I do a treatment called Sclerotherapy that would help your thread veins. Have a look on you tube at videos.
Around 3-4 sessions would be needed

[user1497254675]

Thank you so much for all the helpful comments. Thanks, too, for your kindness - I realise that vanity comes into play here.

Short term, I’ll try fake tan. Does anyone know of any good camouflage make-up, please?

Long term, I’ll have a look into the suggested therapies.

Thanks again x

[User18492725204065241]

I've had them all down the side of one leg for years and I'm mid twenties. There's no way I can afford the cosmetic removal so I just ignore them and wear what I like. Getting tanned in summer makes them far less visible, but I doubt anyone really notices anyway. I certainly don't spend my time looking for other people's 'flaws' so I doubt others do either.

[Diyhaircutgonewrong]

I use Covermark as a camouflage. it's about £20 a tube on Amazon but will last for ages.

[thedevilinablackdress]

Wear the shorts. My legs are similar and I used to always keep covered. Now I don't - getting older and caring less certainly helps.

[Diyhaircutgonewrong]

agree, you are probably very self conscious about it. doubt many people will notice :)

[user1497254675]

Thank you. diyhaircut, did you get a sample kit of Covermark first to find the right shade? x

[SirVixofVixHall]

Most women with very fair skin seem to have them at some point, mine are terrible, and I am getting varicose veins now too, just like my Mum.
While I just had a few thread veins, and no varicose ones, and less flab, I used a brilliant liquid stockings from boots, like thick foundation, Sally Hansen airbrush legs is a similar product, as boots seem to have discontinued theirs. Now I won’t wear shorts, but to cover the thread veins on lower legs I either use the Sally Hansen, or Perfect Legs Skin Miracle from This Works, that gives just enough colour to soften thread veins.

[Elouera]

I know they can be injected with saline- but I'm not sure if that is the same as, sclerotherapy, which I thought used a chemical. I'd suggest a proper aesthetics clinic, rather than any 'beauty' salon that does it as a side line though.

[BatshitCrazyWoman]

My dark skinned mother had them, and she was a sun worshipper - exosure to sun can cause them - so if you want to tan your legs, fake it. I find the St Tropez gradual tan in light works on me. If you are prone to them, even if you have sclerotherapy, you will get new ones. Juat before lockdown I had a 'top up' treatment for mine - I need to do it every 5 years or so.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Does the treatment hurt ? I would love to get rid of my varicose veins but worry about whether that increases DVT risks later.