Veinwave is a revolutionary treatment first developed in Europe and now available worldwide to help eliminate spider veins on the face and legs. The FDA has recently approved Veinwave™ for the treatment of facial spider veins that are resistant to sclerotherapy. We are proud to announce this cutting-edge procedure is available in the California Vein Specialists office in Newport Beach, CA.
What Is Veinwave™?
Veinwave™ is a minimally invasive treatment that uses the principle of thermocoagulation to permanently remove spider veins, also known as thread veins or telangiectasia.
Thread veins are dilated or broken blood vessels that appear near the surface of the skin. They are usually red, purple or pink and measure between 0.5 and 1 mm in diameter. Spider veins usually affect the face and legs, but they can appear almost anywhere on the body. In most cases, these tiny veins are harmless. However, some find them to be unsightly and seek treatment with Veinwave™ and similar therapies.
The Veinwave™ treatment was developed in 2001 by Dr. Brian Newman, MD, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. The procedure uses microwave energy to cause thermocoagulation of spider veins. The Veinwave™ generator is attached to a fine-tipped, insulated needle that is inserted near the affected vein to deliver microwave energy. The microwaves generate heat in the area, destroying the problem vein.
The procedure can be performed in the office in 15 minutes or less and without anesthesia. There is no need for downtime or aftercare, making Veinwave™ treatment ideal for patients seeking “lunchtime procedures” that can fit their busy lifestyle.
How Does Veinwave™ Work?
Veinwave™ combines several proprietary technologies to cause thermocoagulation of spider veins. The generator used for this treatment emits microwave energy that is channeled into the problem veins via ultra-fine needles (0.075 to 0.150mm in diameter). These needles allow precise treatment, without damaging surrounding structures.
Delivering microwave energy to the problem veins causes them to heat and collapse. As the vein collapses, blood flow to the treated veins stops and the vein is reabsorbed by the body. Blood flow is not affected by this treatment since healthy surrounding veins take over blood flow once the diseased vein is gone.
The Veinwave™ procedure takes about 15 minutes to complete. Multiple spider veins can be treated in one short session. What’s more, the treated veins improve in appearance almost instantly and disappear completely by week three post-treatment.
What Does Veinwave™ Treat?
In Europe, Veinwave™ has been successfully used for the treatment of telangiectasia on many parts of the body. Since its introduction as an alternative to sclerotherapy and other procedures, Veinwave™ has been effectively used to treat:
- Facial and leg spider veins
- Rosacea
- Cherry angiomas
- Skin tags
- Warts
- Millia
Although microsclerotherapy is still the gold standard to treat spider veins, Veinwave™ is an excellent adjunct to these treatments, especially when treating the smallest veins in the body. It has an excellent safety profile; it can be used on the foot, ankle and other areas inaccessible to sclerotherapy. Laser and intense pulsed light systems have not been very effective in these areas and are often dangerous.
In the US, this treatment is FDA-approved for facial spider veins only. That does not mean that Veinwave™ is not effective for other problems, rather that it has not been reviewed yet for other purposes.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Most relatively healthy adults are suitable candidates for this procedure. Since this is a minimally invasive treatment that does not involve the use of anesthesia, it is usually well-tolerated. However, not everyone can receive this treatment. Veinwave™ is not recommended to:
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Those with a history of epilepsy
- Those with a history of keloid scars
- Those with bleeding disorders
- Patients with pacemakers
Other than that, most patients can receive this treatment. It is suitable for all skin tones and types, although there is a small risk of hyperpigmentation if inflammation occurs.
Preparing for Treatment
It is critical to disclose your medical history and medication use to Dr. Leary during your initial consultation. This will help us decide on the best course of action for your particular case. Make sure to tell your provider if you are allergic to nickel or gold.
During your consultation for Veinwave™ treatment at California Vein Specialists in Newport Beach, CA, we will provide you with pre-care instructions. These instructions usually include the following advice:
- Do not tan or use spray tans during the 30 days before your treatment
- Do not apply makeup or lotions to the treatment area on the day of the procedure
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers an hour before your appointment if you are pain-sensitive
Before your scheduled appointment, we may also need to perform a duplex ultrasound scan to examine the area being treated.
During the Procedure
Your provider will first talk to you about your concerns and explain what you can expect during and after this procedure. You will be asked to lay down on a padded table, and then your provider will clean the treatment site. They will then use a fine needle to pierce the skin and deliver microwave energy. As they do this, you may feel mild stinging, which most patients find quite tolerable.
Treatment with Veinwave™ usually takes a couple of minutes and up to half an hour. Your provider can treat multiple thread veins at once, if needed.
The Recovery
The treated area will appear red and even slightly swollen for up to two days, which is completely normal. Your skin may be slightly itchy, but there should be no significant pain or discomfort.
After a couple of days, the treated area may appear flaky or develop scabs. Applying moisturizer can help minimize dryness and improve the appearance of your skin. Avoid tanning and use sunscreen when going out to minimize your risk of hyperpigmentation. Other than that, no special aftercare is needed for this treatment.
After a couple of weeks, the thread veins should begin to fade. You may require touch-up treatment in case some of the veins were missed or didn’t respond to initial treatment. Once these veins are gone, they’re gone for good. However, you may develop new spider veins in nearby areas at a later time.
Learn More About Veinwave™
Interested in treating your spider veins with Veinwave™? We invite you to meet with Dr. Michael Leary at California Vein Specialists to discuss your options. Dr. Leary will talk to you about your concerns and explain what vein treatment with Veinwave™ involves, including the costs, benefits and risks. If you are ready to get rid of spider veins on your face for good, schedule an appointment today! You can reach our team at 949-339-1032
*Providing you with accurate medical information is one of our priorities. To ensure this, Dr. Leary reviews all the information posted on our website. Please get in touch with us today if you would like more information about any of the conditions we treat and the procedures we offer.