Written by The Armstrong ClinicLast reviewed 30 July 20268 minute read
In summary
Typical UK price ranges
| Typical UK range | |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | £0 to £150. Some clinics charge and redeem the fee against treatment |
| Patch test | £0 to £50 |
| Single facial session, 15 minutes | £150 to £300 |
| Single facial session, 30 minutes | £250 to £450 |
| Single leg session, 30 minutes | £250 to £450 |
| Course of three sessions | £450 to £1,200 |
| Review appointment | £0 to £75 |
Prices tend to be higher in central London and lower outside the South East.
Consultation fees and review appointments are often excluded from headline pricing, so it is worth asking about both.
What affects the price
How many veins you have, and the size of the area. This is the largest single factor. A single vessel beside the nostril and a network across both cheeks are very different treatments.
Whether the veins are on the face or the legs. Leg veins usually need more sessions. See below.
How the clinic charges. Per session, per area, per hour or as a package. These are not directly comparable.
How many sessions you need. Very few patients clear everything in one session, so a single-session price is not the same as the cost of treatment.
Where the clinic is. Central London and prestige addresses carry higher overheads.
Who carries out the treatment. A clinic where a registered clinician assesses and treats you generally costs more than one where a technician works to a protocol. On the legs in particular, thread veins can be a surface sign of an underlying venous problem, and recognising that requires clinical assessment.
Comparing per-session and per-area pricing
Some clinics price per area rather than per session, and define an area as a patch a few centimetres across. A quoted price of “from £95” can therefore be higher in practice than a £175 session, if several areas are needed to cover one cheek.
Others sell packages of three or six sessions, payable in advance. If your veins clear in two sessions and the package is non-refundable, you have paid for treatment you did not need.
The most useful question to ask any clinic is: based on what you can see, what is the estimated total cost to treat the area I want treated?
Will the NHS treat thread veins?
Not usually. Thread veins are classed as a cosmetic concern, and NHS treatment is not routinely available for them.
The NHS may investigate and treat varicose veins where they cause symptoms such as pain, aching, swelling, skin changes, bleeding or ulceration. Varicose veins are a different condition: larger, raised and often rope-like, reflecting valve failure in the deeper veins. Thread veins are fine surface vessels.
The distinction matters for two reasons. If you have varicose veins or an underlying venous problem, you may be entitled to NHS assessment, and it is worth pursuing that before paying privately for surface treatment. Treating surface thread veins while an underlying venous problem remains untreated also tends to give a disappointing and short-lived result.
If you are unsure which you have, see your GP.
Why leg veins cost more than facial veins
| Facial thread veins | Leg thread veins | |
|---|---|---|
| Sessions usually needed | 1 to 3 | 3 to 4 or more |
| Area treated | Small and defined | Usually larger |
| Underlying cause to exclude | Rosacea, sun damage | Venous insufficiency, varicose veins |
| Assessment needed | Skin assessment | Skin and vascular assessment |
| Typical course cost | £300 to £700 | £600 to £1,400 |
| Speed of response | Often faster | Usually slower |
Leg veins respond more slowly because gravity and venous pressure work against treatment, the vessels are often deeper, and there are usually more of them. Aftercare, including compression, has more effect on the result.
What should be included in the price
Before booking, check whether the following are included or charged separately:
- The consultation and assessment
- A patch test, where one is needed
- The treatment session
- Written aftercare instructions
- A review appointment to assess the result
- Contact with the clinician if something concerns you afterwards
Questions to ask before booking
- 1Who will carry out my treatment, and what are their qualifications?
- 2Are they registered with a professional regulator, and can I verify that?
- 3Based on examining me, how many sessions do you estimate I will need?
- 4What is the estimated total cost for the area I want treated?
- 5Is the consultation fee included or charged separately?
- 6Is a review appointment included?
- 7Do you charge per session or per area, and how large is an area?
- 8What are the risks for my skin type?
- 9Have you assessed whether I have an underlying venous problem? (Important for leg veins.)
- 10What happens if I am not satisfied with the result?
Our prices
| Session | Suitable for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | Smaller or single areas | £175 |
| 30 minutes | Larger or multiple areas treated in one visit | £300 |
Charged per session rather than per area. The price includes the treatment, written aftercare and a review appointment.
At your consultation, Kim examines the area and gives you an estimated total, covering how many sessions she expects and what they will cost. Where treatment is unlikely to help, she will tell you.
Common questions
How much does it cost to remove thread veins in the UK?
Typically £150 to £400 per session, with most patients needing two to four sessions. A full course usually costs between £300 and £1,200, depending on the area treated, whether it is face or legs, how extensive the veins are and where the clinic is located.
Is thread vein removal worth the cost?
Most patients who are bothered by visible thread veins find treatment worthwhile, particularly on the face, where the veins are difficult to cover and results tend to be good. It is less likely to be worthwhile if you expect complete and permanent clearance, or if there is an underlying venous problem that has not been addressed. A consultation should establish which applies before you spend anything.
Can I get thread vein removal on the NHS?
Not usually, as thread veins are treated as a cosmetic concern. The NHS may treat varicose veins where they cause symptoms, which is a different condition. Speak to your GP if you are unsure which you have.
Why is thread vein removal cheaper at some clinics?
Usually for one of three reasons: the clinic charges per small area rather than per session, so the headline price is lower than the total; treatment is carried out by a technician rather than a registered clinician; or overheads are lower outside central London.
Do I have to pay for a consultation?
It varies. Some clinics offer free consultations, some charge and redeem the fee against treatment, and some charge separately. Ask before booking.
How long do results last?
A vessel that has been successfully treated does not return. Treatment does not prevent new thread veins from forming, and the underlying causes usually remain. Many patients have a further session every one to two years.
