Welcome to The Laser Lipo and Vein Center

Millions of men and women suffer from spider veins and telangiectasia – those unsightly clusters of red, blue or purple veins that spider-web across the cheeks, thighs, calves, ankles and knees. In fact, for Western populations like the US, it’s been estimated that 25-30% of women and 10-20% of men suffer from this unsightly condition.

Finally a revolutionary new technology is available that will enable you to say goodbye to those unattractive facial and hand veins and the tiny spider and thread veins that appear on the face and body. In July 2009 the FDA approved a medical device that for the first time allows a few vein specialists to treat those small veins that can’t be treated with sclerotherapy. Dr Thomas Wright MD RVT of Laser Lipo and Vein Center is now one of the first 40 surgeons in the US to offer this unique treatment and introduce this new technology for his patients.

Although the Veinwave™ has been available for over 8 years in Europe where it is enjoyed by over 1000 physicians, the FDA only recently cleared the revolutionary Veinwave device for eliminating spider veins of the lower extremities and telangiectasia. Designed primarily for vein surgeons, Veinwave uses an innovative process in which radio wave energy is quickly pulsed to the affected area which causes the vein walls to collapse. The veins disappear before your eyes. It is very safe, effective, and permanent. “Because Veinwave works using radio waves that are pulsed directly to the desired area, the treatment is quick and pain free,” said Dr. Wright.

“The device was developed by a vascular surgeon as a way to treat very tiny veins on the surface of the skin that cannot be treated with sclerotherapy. The other options for treating these tiny veins, laser and light treatments, risk burning and scarring the area around the vessel, which does not occur with the Veinwave,” he added.

Until now, lasers and other light based devices have been used to treat these veins, but with limited success. Unlike lasers, the Veinwave involves only slight discomfort, so there is no need for anesthetic creams or pain medications. Also, the Veinwave doesn’t carry a risk of long-term scarring. The treatment takes only a few minutes to complete. “How is this possible? Veinwave’s ultra-fine, insulated probe permits a highly targeted treatment that doesn’t irritate the surrounding skin. Therefore, within minutes after the session, patients can resume their everyday activities without bandages as if it never happened.”

Sclerotherapy provides successful treatment on the larger leg veins. Sclerotherapy is a microinjection procedure. It requires no pain medication during or after the procedure. Abnormal veins are destroyed by injecting a solution called sclerosant, which irritates the vein wall. “It is not simply injecting the sclerosant, but paying attention to the volume, concentration and “exposure time” that makes the difference between success and failure.

“However, sclerotherapy fails to be effective on the fine veins of the knee and ankle and is rarely used on the face. As a combination therapy, Veinwave is the perfect compliment to sclerotherapy,” explained Dr. Wright.

Veinwave can also be used to treat veins in difficult-to-treat locations, including the face, ankles, and knees. The treatment takes less than 15 minutes to perform and involves no downtime. According to Dr. Wright, any adult man or woman in good general health who has thin spider veins, or tangled, thread-like veins known as telangiectasia, is a good candidate. Also anyone who is looking for a quick procedure and wants to avoid the possibility of bruising or scarring should consider the Veinwave treatment.

Dr Wright is a board certified vein specialist, who researches and implements innovative technologies as the medical director of Laser Lipo and Vein Center in the St Louis metro area. Laser Lipo and Vein Center is a medical practice that incorporates advanced and innovative medical technology into a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

“We treat all the manifestations of vein disease, an often under-appreciated disease. Vein disease treatment starts with a comprehensive evaluation by ultrasound of the venous circulation in your lower extremities. If underlying venous insufficiency (back flow) is found in the main veins of the legs, we treat that with Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLT). If venous reflux of the saphenous vein is found, the vein is ablated using a procedure called Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT).

Endovenous Laser Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg. We also treat the smaller veins with combination of Sclerotherapy and the new Veinwave techniques,” expanded Dr. Wright.

According to Dr. Wright, his practice is the only practice in the area that accepts and is credentialed with all of the insurance carriers in the region, which often makes them the most affordable provider of these services. In addition, Laser Lipo performs non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that are determined by you and Dr. Wright during your personal consultation. “We achieve dramatic results without drastic measures by offering Lipodissolve, Botox, Restylane, Radiesse, Perlane, Laser Hair Removal and Laser Skin Rejuvenation. Call and set up a consultation with me and let us see if Veinwave is right for you, ” Dr. Wright added.

For more information about venous health issues or to set up an appointment with Dr. Wright, please call his office at 636-397-4012 or visit the Laser Lipo and Vein Center located at 7030 Mexico Road, Suite A in St. Peters. Read the Health section of the Focus News for monthly educational and research articles regarding vein disease and its treatment. You can also visit lasermenu.wpengine.com for more information.

Thomas F. Wright, MD, is a board-certified phlebologist, a certified vascular sonographer, and the medical director of the Laser Lipo and Vein Center. He is a graduate of Duke University and the University of Missouri–Columbia. Dr.Wright was among the first 248 surgeons in the nation to be board-certified in phlebology, which is a specialty dedicated to treating vein disease comprehensively.

Vein disease affects more than 25 percent of the population and can be much more than just a cosmetic issue. Symptoms can include swelling, tenderness, restlessness, and fatigue in the legs. Many people with these symptoms are unaware they’re caused by venous circulation problems. Until five years ago, most varicose veins were treated with surgical stripping. Now varicose veins can be treated with a laser inside the vein, called endovenous laser ablation, without the trauma associated with vein stripping. The procedure is done in the office under local anesthesia with no scarring. Patients undergoing this procedure can return to their regular activities within one to two days. Untreated vein disease can lead to leg ulcers and blood clots. Most medical insurance plans will pay for the diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic vein disease. Dr. Wright is the only board-certified vein specialist who is a preferred provider with all major insurance plans in the St. Louis area.