Persistent redness and visible veins can be difficult to hide — especially when your skin flushes easily in warm rooms, after exercise, or under stress. Many people feel they have to “manage the face” every day: makeup choices, lighting, photos, and even where they sit in a restaurant.
At Chiswick Clinic in West London, we use a precision 577 nm vascular laser to target the blood in superficial facial capillaries. The aim is calmer, clearer-looking facial skin, with fewer obvious red lines and a more even tone in day-to-day life — including the softening of unwanted veins — delivered with medical judgement. You will always know what we recommend, why we recommend it, and what to do if your skin reacts unexpectedly.
This treatment uses 577 nm laser technology to target the blood in tiny capillaries that sit close to the surface of the skin.
Redness is not one diagnosis. Some redness comes from dilated capillaries; some is inflammatory (active eczema, irritation, or an untreated rosacea flare); and some is pigmentation that can look red-brown. In the initial consultation, we will discuss your symptoms, triggers, skincare, and medical history, then examine the surface of the skin so we can treat the right problem.
Fine surface capillaries (facial thread veins) are tiny capillaries that become permanently widened. They can look like thin red lines, often across the nose and cheeks. Many people also experience flush episodes — a sudden warm “wave” that makes the skin is red in seconds. This matters because we treat fixed red lines differently from trigger-driven flushing.
For redness associated with rosacea, laser treatment for rosacea can reduce the visible network and help bring down baseline redness. It does not replace rosacea treatment when inflammatory bumps, burning, or ocular symptoms are active, but it can work alongside medical care, barrier repair, and trigger management. We also talk about common drivers such as heat, stress, and excessive alcohol consumption.
The light is absorbed mainly by haemoglobin. With controlled pulses, the laser energy gently heats the target and closes it, while leaving the skin around it intact. Over time, the body naturally clears the treated structure. This is why improvement often continues between sessions rather than appearing instantly.
We cool the skin throughout. Most patients feel quick, warm pinches, and the treatment process is usually well tolerated. Immediately after treatment, there may be redness and swelling, especially on the nose and cheeks, and the area can feel warm for a few hours. A bruise is uncommon, but possible in sensitive areas or with certain capillary patterns.
We do not begin aggressively. A measured first session tells us how your skin behaves. If the response is predictable, more aggressive parameters can be used for stubborn patterns (dense facial thread or small veins that have been present for years). This is how laser treatment is a safe approach: stepwise, evidence-based, and adjusted to your skin rather than a one-size-fits-all setting.
Some people want a single red spot gone. Others want the overall “red face” impression softened. Many small veins and red spots respond well to laser treatment in 1–2 sessions. Diffuse redness and rosacea commonly need a short course. Severe redness can still improve, but it often needs a combined plan rather than a single device, which is exactly why you can access dermatology expertise within the clinic.
A treated vein is usually closed long-term, but new ones can develop if the underlying drivers continue — frequent flushing, barrier damage, and unprotected sun exposure. We aim to reduce redness now, then protect the result with simple skincare and sensible trigger work. Done well, patients often say their skin looks so much calmer, even if occasional maintenance is needed.
We assess skin type because pigment behaves differently across tones. Recently tanned skin or darker tones can carry a higher risk of pigment change, so we may recommend patch testing, slower progression, or a different approach. If the main issue is active inflammation or pigmentation rather than dilated capillaries, we will pause and treat what is actually driving the problem.
For best results, arrive with clean skin if possible and avoid using strong acids or retinoids for a few days beforehand unless we have advised otherwise. Please tell us if you have a history of cold sores in the area, if you are prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation changes, or if you are taking any medication that affects healing. If you have a special event coming up, plan your session at least 1–2 weeks before, so any temporary redness settles fully.
There is no single best laser for everyone. IPL can be useful when redness sits alongside pigmentation. Nd:YAG can be more appropriate for deeper, larger veins. The pulsed dye laser has long-standing evidence for certain vascular problems. During your assessment, we keep this simple: we explain why one option fits your pattern of veins and redness better than another, and we choose the safest route.
People often ask about the face and legs together. Leg thread patterns behave differently, and red or blue vessels on the legs may need different wavelengths and expectations. We can advise, but this page focuses on red lines on the face.
Thread vein removal is about visible change in real life — not perfection in a magnified mirror. If you are trying to deal with thread veins on the face, the usual goal is fewer obvious lines and a calmer baseline. Some patterns clear quickly; others soften across a few sessions. Facial thread vein removal is planned after assessment, so we can be honest about what is likely in your case.
Your consultation with one of our clinicians is with our senior therapist, Brigi. She is experienced in laser therapy and laser skin treatment, and focuses on calm, natural results. Dr Bela provides dermatology oversight and clinical governance, so contraindications and escalation are handled within a medical skin clinic.
It uses a precise beam of 577 nm laser light that is absorbed mainly by haemoglobin. This gently heats and closes tiny capillaries that contribute to redness and visible lines, while aiming to spare surrounding skin. Results usually build gradually over a short course.
Triggers include rosacea, sun damage, genetics, irritation, and repeated flushing. Over time, the capillaries stay open and become more visible. Treating them improves appearance; protecting the barrier and avoiding triggers helps reduce new ones.
How many sessions you will need depends on what we are treating. A single red spot may respond in 1–2 sessions. Diffuse redness or laser treatment for redness often needs a short course, spaced a few weeks apart.
Fine surface capillaries are often referred to as spider veins, but they are different from varicose patterns and from larger vessels elsewhere. They sit close to the surface and are treated for cosmetic and confidence reasons rather than health risk.
This treatment is safe when properly selected and performed. Patch testing may be advised for darker skin tones, recently tanned skin, or very reactive skin. We use cooling, conservative starts, and clear aftercare to reduce risk.
Most people can wear makeup the next day. Keep skincare gentle for a few days, use high-SPF daily, avoid heat and vigorous exercise for 24–48 hours, and use a simple moisturiser. If the skin feels hot, aloe vera gel and cool compresses can help.
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