I had VeinWave on my face 5 months ago and I have been left with pitted scarring. Is this normal? Will they fade?

Answers from doctors (3)


More About Doctor David Green, MD

Published on Dec 31, 2021

VeinWave is a treatment that inserts a needle through the skin and into or around an unwanted blood vessel followed by the activation of energy in an attempt to heat and destroy the vein. The heat generated is not confined to the blood vessel and may heat - and damage - the adjacent and overlying skin. It attempts to be a more precise form of electrocoagulation, which has been used in dermatology and surgery for decades.

In spite of representations that I have seen made about it being more precise than laser, this is not the case. Vascular lasers, specifically, target the blood vessel by virtue of the blood within the vessel. No blood, no heat and no damage. VeinWave will heat up any tissue - blood vessel or otherwise, once the energy is activated.

Answered by David Green, MD (View Profile)

VeinWave is a treatment that inserts a needle through the skin and into or around an unwanted blood vessel followed by the activation of energy in an attempt to heat and destroy the vein. The heat generated is not confined to the blood vessel and may heat - and damage - the adjacent and overlying skin. It attempts to be a more precise form of electrocoagulation, which has been used in dermatology and surgery for decades.

In spite of representations that I have seen made about it being more precise than laser, this is not the case. Vascular lasers, specifically, target the blood vessel by virtue of the blood within the vessel. No blood, no heat and no damage. VeinWave will heat up any tissue - blood vessel or otherwise, once the energy is activated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Aug 11, 2016

It is not normal to have pitted scarring after the procedure. It is hard to say if it will fade. I would go back and see the person who did the procedure.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

It is not normal to have pitted scarring after the procedure. It is hard to say if it will fade. I would go back and see the person who did the procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Aug 04, 2016

You should not have pitted scarring at this stage if the treatment is performed by an experienced practitioner. The RF probe should barely touch the veins being treated. You may see fading over time or could undergo a dermal needling procedure to smooth out the skin. It may take several treatments.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

You should not have pitted scarring at this stage if the treatment is performed by an experienced practitioner. The RF probe should barely touch the veins being treated. You may see fading over time or could undergo a dermal needling procedure to smooth out the skin. It may take several treatments.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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