THREAD veins and broken veins are fine visible veins which lie just beneath the surface of the skin, most noticeably on the face.

Sunlight, exposure to wind, the use of steroid creams, hormonal changes and the contraceptive pill can contribute to the development of these veins, which generally become more pronounced with age.

Cauterisation and electrolysis may be used to treat these veins, but there is a significant risk of recurrence and, more importantly, scarring and skin textural change.

But these lesions, together with other vascular malformations of the skin, including port wine stain birthmarks and ‘blood’ spots, can now be treated by laser.

The light produced by the vascular laser passes through the skin and is selectively absorbed by haemoglobin, the pigment contained within blood.

This generates heat and, as a result, closure of the blood vessel and therefore disappearance of the broken vein.

Response to treatment depends on the size, number and location of the veins but in general one can expect a 50% to 75% improvement with one treatment. Residual or recurrent problems can be readily retreated.

Skin conditions such as these can be treated at The West of England Laser Centre, based at Nuffield Health Taunton Hospital.

Treatment is undertaken by a surgeon who holds an NHS consultant post, who has been trained in the use of lasers and has considerable knowledge of facial anatomy – significant factors in the successful management of skin problems in this highly sensitive region.

You can, therefore, rest assured that you will be in the right hands in the right place for the treatment you require.

For an information pack and/or a personal consultation on this and other forms of laser treatment at Nuffield Health Taunton Hospital, including the removal of moles, sunspots, tattoos, excess hair, baggy eyelids, and treatments for fine lines and wrinkles, visit www.welc.co.uk or call 01823- 331773.