Microwave cure for thread-veins

A NEW, pain-free and quick procedure to eliminate thread veins — small red, spider-like dilated capillaries which appear on the face and legs — could help the 15 million Britons who suffer from them. Veinwave, a machine that passes a high frequency microwave directly into the vein with a very fine needle, can treat up to 50cm of thread veins in a 15-minute session. Until now, the main ways of treating thread veins, or telangiectasia, were micro-sclerotherapy—injecting an irritant into the vein which makes its walls stick together—and laser technique, which has a risk of affecting skin pigmentation. Consultant vascular surgeon Brian Newman, of Medical Innovations, the company that will be distributing the machine in the UK, says: 'Up to 50 pc of injections fail because the irritant doesn't get into the vein or leaks outside it, while lasers can cause burns, and can't precisely target the veins.' Veinwave uses a needle that is only 0.0075mm thick, through which a 4,000 MHz current passes into the vein.

The heat destroys the wall and content of the capillaries. It can be used on any colour skin and there is no risk of burns or inflammation as the needle, which is so fine it cannot be felt entering the skin, is insulated. Results can be seen after 48 hours. A trial in France, involving 400 female patients, had a success rate of over 90%. The treatment is available from clinics nationwide. For more information, call 01204 842 830 or visit our website at www.veinwave.com.

Daily Mail, Tuesday, July 10, 2001