What You Need to Know about Veinwave Therapy
While varicose veins get much of the attention with their unsightly bulging and prominent appearance, spider veins can also be a significant cosmetic concern. Now, there is an effective treatment designed just for them. Veinwave is an innovative procedure that uses thermocoagulation to treat small, superficial veins just under the skin’s surface. With a number of benefits over other types of vein therapy, it is no wonder Veinwave is becoming such a popular treatment option today.
What are Spider Veins?
Spider veins, also referred to as thread veins or telangiectasia, are the visible networks of veins that appear on the surface of the skin. Those red, blue or purple lines often form a network similar to a sunburst pattern or a spider’s web. The veins may appear on the lower legs like varicose veins, but they can also make a showing on the feet, arms, face and other areas of the body.
There are a number of reasons why spider veins may occur:
- Genetics (if your parent has spider veins, you are more likely to also)
- Hormonal fluctuations (spider veins often appear during pregnancy or menopause)
- Sun damage or trauma to the skin
- Skin conditions like rosacea
- Underlying medical conditions
- Some medications, particularly steroids
- Excessive alcohol use
In most cases, spider veins are not a significant medical concern. However, because those veins tend to appear in visible areas and the networks can grow quite large, they can be a major cosmetic concern for some sufferers. Some may also begin to experience symptoms with spider veins on the lower legs, include leg heaviness and pain.
What is Veinwave?
Veinwave is a revolutionary procedure that has been used for some time in Europe and was more recently introduced in the U.S. The minimally-invasive procedure uses heat to coagulate veins, a process known as thermocoagulation. The heat is delivered underneath the skin and next to the vessel using a very fine needle. The needle does not actually penetrate the vein, but the heat delivered nearby is enough to collapse the vessel so it can be reabsorbed by the body.
Veinwave is an excellent option for treating veins that are too small to be treated via other procedures such as sclerotherapy and laser ablation. The procedure is quick, relatively painless and involves no downtime afterward. There are no sutures or bandages afterward, so you can return to daily activities right away without any telltale signs you just had a treatment performed.
Veinwave can be used on many different areas of the body, including areas that are difficult to treat with other types of procedures:
- Face (cheeks and nose)
- Arms
- Legs
- Ankles and feet
- Knees
The procedure also works on any skin type and tone, including tanned skin. This is a distinct benefit over many of the laser devices used to treat veins today.
The Thermocoagulation Process
Thermocoagulation is a process that utilizes electrical current to heat the underlying vessel in the treatment area. At the same time, the controlled current leaves surrounding skin and tissue intact. The device is under the full control of the physician performing the procedure, which ensures that risks associated with treatment are minimized as much as possible.
Benefits of Veinwave over Other Vein Treatments
When used correctly, Veinwave offers a number of benefits over other types of treatments in addressing small, superficial spider veins:
- Procedure does not require any type of anesthesia or topical numbing cream
- Needle is very fine and causes little – if any – discomfort
- Procedure can be performed on any skin type and color
- Thermocoagulation completely destroys visible vein for permanent results
- Can be used on all areas of the body, including those hard to treat with other procedures
- Less risk of scarring, burning and other complications than other procedures
- Effective on veins too small to treat through other methods
While Veinwave offers numerous benefits to the right patients, it is not the best procedure for everyone. Dr. Carabasi at Center for Vein Restoration will recommend the best treatment for your needs based on the size and location of your veins. About the Procedure Veinwave takes just a few minutes to perform, since there is no need to wait for anesthesia or a topical numbing cream to take effect. The veins to be treated are identified and a narrow needle is injected underneath the skin next to the vein. Current is delivered through the needle, collapsing the vein so it can be eliminated by natural body processes.
Most patients are completed with their treatment within about 15 minutes. After your procedure, you can return to regular activities immediately. There will be no redness, swelling or bruising to cover up with makeup in the hours or days following your procedure. You will not even have to keep your skin out of the sun, although we do recommend a bit of extra sun protection for the first 24-48 hours just to be on the safe side.
Fast, Long-Lasting Results
The results of a Veinwave treatment can often be seen right away, but those results will continue to improve in the days following the procedure. If you were experiencing any symptoms with your spider veins, it is likely those symptoms will also disappear after your Veinwave procedure. Because the veins are completely destroyed, the results of the procedure are considered permanent. However, if additional spider veins appear over time, additional treatments may be needed to maintain your positive results.
Is Veinwave Right for You?
Veinwave is an excellent option for the treatment of spider veins too small to treat with other methods. However, not every patient will be a good candidate for the Veinwave procedure. Dr. Carabasi will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your visible veins and any underlying vein disorder before he recommends the best treatment for your specific needs. With a variety of treatment options to choose from, you can rest assured Dr. Carabasi will have the technology and expertise to treat your vein condition in the safest, most effective way possible.
Veinwave is an effective way to zap visible spider veins from nearly any area of the body. To learn more about this procedure, contact Center for Vein Restoration today.