Veinwave / VeinGogh: How does this device work?
Austin Vein Specialists offers the newest state-of-the-art treatment for facial vein removal. Available at our Austin vein centers, the Ohmic Surface Thermolysis System, also known by the trade names of Veinwave and VeinGogh, is a remarkable treatment used to eliminate spider veins on the nose, cheeks, thighs, calves, ankles, and knees using mico-bursts of heat energy delivered through the skin. Spider veins, medically known as telangiectasia, are small unsightly webs of tiny red, blue or purple veins that appear just below the surface of the skin. When low levels of heat energy are precisely delivered to the regions of the veins, the fine veins are forced to collapse and fade away. It has been shown to be safe for facial vein removal on all skin types and skin colors. If is FDA approved for the treatment of spider veins and facial telangiectasias.
The Ohmic Thermolysis device, also known by the name VeinGogh or Veinwave, uses a technology known as thermocoagulation or thermolysis: a finely focused high-frequency current of energy is applied directly to the affected area with a hair-thin probe which is barely touched to the surface of the skin. This heat energy causes the thin vein walls to collapse, with the veins disappearing quickly and almost painlessly. VeinGogh is safe, effective, and typically permanent for facial vein removal. It is associated with much less discomfort than laser therapy. It has a low risk of thermal injury to the skin.
“This is a revolutionary new treatment for facial veins and a long-needed supplement to sclerotherapy for very small spider veins. The treatments require no anesthesia, cause a little discomfort, and leaves little to no bruising. Return to normal activities is possible immediately.” — Joel Gotvald, MD, FACS, FSVS, RPVI
What about the use of Sclerotherapy?
Unlike sclerotherapy, surface thermolysis uses thermal energy rather than medication. Therefore, the skin does not have to be punctured with a needle. VeinGogh has its biggest impact on fine facial veins. Sclerotherapy, at our Austin center, is typically the preferred treatment for spider veins of the legs and is only occasionally used on the face. Thermolysis can also be used as an alternative treatment on the legs for areas that are not responding well to sclerotherapy or for veins that are too fine to inject with medication. As a combination therapy, venous thermolysis is a perfect complement to sclerotherapy. The facial vein specialists at our Austin center, who proudly serve patients in Cedar Park, Lakeway, Pflugerville, and Round Rock, offer one of the region’s largest range of treatment options for the treatment of abnormal veins of the skin, including sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and ohmic thermolysis.
Facial Vein Removal is fast and involves almost no discomfort.
Surface thermolysis is fast enough to be done on a lunch break and involves only very slight discomfort. VeinGogh’s ultra-fine, insulated probe permits a highly targeted treatment that does little to irritate the surrounding skin. The typical treatment is performed in less than 30 minutes. Immediately after the session, you can resume your everyday activities without the worry of bruises or bandages.
On a pain scale of 1-10, with some laser treatments being a 6-8, VeinGogh is rated at a 1-3. Since the procedure uses a hair-thin probe to deliver small “zaps” of energy, there can be a slight “pinching” sensation, similar to a hair being pulled. Most patients find that this method of facial vein removal is very well tolerated. Individual results vary.
