Thread veins normally develop as a person ages, this is because as we age our skin and blood vessels become more elastic and the valves that are located in our veins begin to weaken. As the valves weaken, blood flows back down the vein, like blood, like water and everything else always flows downhill which is why thread veins are most common in the legs.

The condition can often be caused by hormonal changes associated with menopause and pregnancy, during pregnancy the amount of blood in the body increases significantly, putting more pressure on the veins and the valves. Thread veins can also develop due to too much sun exposure, being overweight, wind exposure, extremes in temperature, some medications or a course of radiotherapy, Sometimes, thread veins just seem to run in families as well. Many people who have thread veins suffer no serious health problems; they should not affect circulation or cause long-term health issues. If thread veins become problematic or you just feel they are too unsightly, they can be treated in a variety of ways; these include undergoing a phlebectomy, endothermal ablation, compressive stockings, sclerotherapy and of course laser.