Veinwave Uses Thermocoagulation to Treat Problem Veins

Updated on: August 18, 2014

Veinwave is a procedure used by vein clinics in Chevy Chase, Maryland and in other parts of the country to treat spider veins. The procedure is intended to treat tiny veins that are too small to treat with sclerotherapy. It may also be used to treat veins in hard-to-treat areas of the body such as the face, ankles and knees. Other areas of the body that may be treated with Veinwave include the legs and arms. Before treatment, patients should discuss their condition with a vein specialist in the area to determine if they are a candidate for this procedure.

Patients should be in good overall health and have tiny spider veins that may not be safely treated with other venous treatments. Those with epilepsy, bleeding disorders, pacemakers and pregnant women may not be considered a candidate for Veinwave. Individuals interested in the procedure should disclose all of their medical conditions, as well as any medications they are currently taking or have taken recently.

The procedure uses thermocoagulation to heat and close the blood vessels. The procedure typically lasts for about 15 minutes and does not require any downtime. Patients may return to work immediately and may resume other normal daily activities. Additionally, the procedure requires no bandages afterwards. Another advantage of Veinwave is that it uses such a small, fine needle that no pain is usually experienced. Some do, however, experience a feeling similar to a tiny pin prick. A minimal risk of scarring may be present with Veinwave and should be discussed with a veins specialist.

To perform this procedure, the specialist will first clean the injection site. A fine, insulated needle is then used to administer the treatment below the skin, but without piercing the blood vessel. The tiny vessels are then destroyed and go away very quickly. The results should appear right after the procedure and usually improve over the next few days. The results of the procedure are permanent for most patients, meaning that just one 10 to 15 minute session is all that is required to send the spider veins away for good.

In some cases, two to three sessions of Veinwave may be required to reach optimal results, although most patients need just one treatment. The procedure is usually considered cosmetic and therefore not covered by insurance. In cases where spider veins appear along with varicose veins, insurance may cover this procedure. To determine whether Veinwave is covered, consult a vein specialist in the Chevy Chase area, as well as the insurance company.

Most treatments run between $400 and $800 per session, but this may vary depending on the size and extent of the area being treated.

Learn more about Veinwave in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

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