New Vein Procedure Increases Results in Removing Spider Veins and Decreases Downtime

March 4, 2010

With hopefully all of this winter’s snow finished, Marylanders are looking forward to spring and summer. With the change of seasons comes shorts and skirts. Yet, some people avoid those warm weather clothing options because of unsightly spider veins on their legs.

A new minimally invasive procedure used by Johns Hopkins vascular surgeon Jennifer Heller, M.D., increases results in removing spider veins and decreases patients’ downtime. It works best on very fine spider veins and on vein matting, which looks like a thin network of tiny red veins.

This new device uses an ultra-fine needle with radiofrequency that is inserted into the area identified for treatment. It barely enters the top layers of the skin and is insulated so that it does not cause additional redness to the surrounding area. In addition, it does not cause hyperpigmentation—when patches of affected skin turn darker.

While the traditional ways to treat spider veins, such as sclerotherapy and laser treatments, are sometimes painful, this new procedure feels like less than a small pin prick. And best of all, in most cases, patients see results immediately and do not have to waste time recuperating—they can be back to work that day.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Johns Hopkins Vein Center, call 410-550-VEIN.