Vein Removal in Pittsburgh, PA

A large majority of men and women have visible veins on their legs and thighs. These veins are called spider veins, which are the tiny red and purple lines that can appear on the legs, or varicose veins, which are larger, darker, and can sometimes be painful. Some people also have “broken” veins that can appear on the face. Our Pittsburgh plastic surgery office offers a couple of different treatment options to take away these unsightly skin irregularities. We offer Veinwave, a revolutionary cosmetic treatment that eliminates spider veins and fine "broken" veins that can appear on the face. For thicker veins on the legs, Dr. Fernau believes sclerotherapy can sometimes be a better alternative. During the initial consultation, both treatments will be discussed to see which one will attain the best results.

Dr. Fernau uses Veinwave, which is a laser device that produces a tiny amount of heat strong enough to eradicate spider and thread veins. It works exceptionally well on veins such as broken veins that occur on the face, as well as cherry angiomas. It treats both blue and red veins and the effect of the treatment is instant, painless and permanent. Using microwave energy via a tiny needle, Veinwave is safely able to target locations on the body that may be too sensitive or bony to be treated with sclerotherapy. The results from Veinwave are instant, which is one reason why many of our patients choose this treatment over sclerotherapy.

During a sclerotherapy treatment session, a sclerosing chemical solution is injected carefully into the affected vein using a fine needle. Depending on the size and condition of the vein, the treatment varies with the quantity of doses needed per vein. There may be cramping sensations during the treatment, which is normal. Patients will be advised to wear compression garments for a period of time to continue to put steady pressure on the skin so that the medication continues to work and damage the veins. After treatment, the veins swell, shut down, and ultimately die. The gradual fading of size and color will begin to take notice around 2-3 weeks. Optimal results are evident after 6 weeks.

Both Veinwave and sclerotherapy treatments result in good outcomes. Dr. Fernau will decide which treatment is most optimal for the patient after he does a thorough consult. The results from Veinwave are instant and are better for smaller, thinner veins, while it takes a coupe of weeks for the results of sclerotherapy to show. Both treatments are moderately painless and it is best to avoid exposure to the sun, as well as vigorous exercise during the treatment process.

The average cost for a session of sclerotherapy is around $300 to $500. If the veins being treated are moderate in size and quantity, the treatment may be able to be concluded in a single session. Some patients will require multiple sessions, which will be staged over time. The pricing for Veinwave is similar. Sometimes, Dr. Fernau will combine the treatments depending on the patient’s needs.

If you are tired of looking at unsightly veins on your face or body, please call our Pittsburgh plastic surgery center today and inquire about a consultation regarding our vein removal services. Dr. Fernau will evaluate your veins and help determine an appropriate treatment plan to eradicate them for good.