OK, admit it: you”™d love to get rid of those colorful veins you”™ve sprouted, but aren”™t sure if the cure is worth the discomfort or the chance they may look worse than before.
Enter Louis Solis, medical director for Valley Endovascular Associates in Poughkeepsie, who is rolling out a new technique used in Europe for several years: Veinwave.
The technology was developed in the United Kingdom and immediately hailed as a success nearly a decade ago.
“It was approved by the FDA last year,” said Solis, “and we”™ve been using staff to try it to see how beneficial it is and to measure the success ”“ and the reaction to the treatments. Frankly, it is unbelievable.”
The Veinwave machine is about the size of a typewriter with a “pen” attached to it that kills the veins just under the surface of the skin. The “pen” is actually a fine insulated needle that emits localized heat energy (unipolar thermo-coagulation) and lightly pricks the skin along the path of the offending vein ”“ erasing it instantaneously.
“It takes 15 to 20 minutes to do a treatment, depending on the size of the area involved,” Solis said. “The beauty part is there”™s little or no discomfort for the patient and offending veins are permanently erased as a result of the heat treatment. The area might remain red for a few days, but then goes away. The veins are permanently erased.”
Other treatments used for varicose and spider veins have varying levels of intensity and discomfort ”“ “Depending on the type involved, we use traditional laser treatment, which can be very uncomfortable and cause skin burn ”“ it also prevents the patient from exposing the treated part of their skin to the sun for a time ”“ and by sclera injections, which can stain the skin. For some veins, Veinwave is not the answer … but for spider veins and telangiectasia, it”™s perfect and achieves immediate, permanent results.”
Unfortunately, most treatments for any kind of vein removal are not covered by insurance unless it poses a health risk. “For the most part, vein removal is cosmetic,” said Solis, “but for the patient, it has a great emotional benefit. People want to look their best and with this new treatment, there is no pain, no staining and no burns and the results are permanent. You can go out into the sun immediately. We are the first in the region to have it.”
Solis asked staff to volunteer for treatment to study the effects before rolling it out to the public. “Like anything else, we wanted to see for ourselves that this was truly the ”˜miracle”™ that was being touted all over Europe,” Solis said. “It lived up to every expectation we had.”
Solis already has booked five patients within the past week who have learned he has the Veinwave in his office.
“It doesn”™t mean patients are looking to ”˜dazzle”™ anyone,” said Solis of those who seek the treatment. “They just want to feel good about themselves…and there”™s nothing wrong with boosting self-esteem and confidence.”
