What are vein viewers, and why are they the next big tech for facial injections?

Using vein-viewer technology to reduce bruising during facial injections.

One of the most alluring sides of cosmetic facial rejuvenation is that there is minimal risk, minimal downtime (practically none in fact), the procedures are minimally invasive and produce great results, fast. For these reasons there is a continual surge in demand for treatments such as dermal fillers, and cosmetic injections. However, even the most experienced practitioners can sometimes cause bruising after applying such injectables which can negate that feeling of immediate recovery and perhaps result in a less satisfied customer. Bruising during facial injections is commonplace and relates directly to the injection itself rather than the substance being injected. When vessels are ruptured this causes bruising. It is the administering of the treatments that makes this happen and so dermal filler injections and neuromodulator injections can be challenging for doctors due to the number of facial arteries. Why use a vein viewer? The multiple, complex anatomy of the face makes it hard to know exactly where an artery its branches are situated by eye alone. It is important to avoid arteries, or their branches, as if they become blocked this can obstruct the oxygenated blood supply to the skin and cause potential harm. If there is bruising during such treatments it can also reduce the effectivity of the procedure itself. Treating the nasolabial folds, for example, is one of the higher risk areas of the face due to the direct path to the eye from the injection site. To outline the hidden veins and arteries massively increases the safety of applying dermal fillers to this area. To help prevent this occurring there are various tools on the market which can illuminate the vein and artery networks beneath the skin in the area that will be treated. These machines help to reduce bruising during injections such as cosmetic fillers or muscle relaxants. How does a vein viewer work? The patient’s skin is used as a screen of sorts. The machine displays an LED light over the section of the skin being treated, which highlights the veins under the skin - this provides a map in order to avoid the veins and therefore limit bruising. The light, absorbed by the haemoglobin and reflected by surrounding tissue, allows the practitioner to inject without any blood spots appearing. Avoiding the veins themselves means avoiding any blood being released during procedures such as injecting muscle relaxants or neuromodulators. There are no heat or radiation issues so the machinery is deemed very safe. The vein viewer is also considered, by doctors, to be a good tool to make your plan for a breast augmentation, to analyse each patient individually and know their specific design. It significantly increases safety and reduces haematoma. It is also thought to be good for fat transfer procedures. Are there different types of vein viewers? There are many different types of vein viewing technology on the market, each designed with a specific role or varying illumination area. Some pinpoint smaller more intricate areas of the body, others can map out a larger section of the skin. Some have stands so that the doctor can be hands free whilst using the machine. The practitioner/surgeon/doctor/dermatologist will have elected the appropriate machinery for the treatment in question designed to enhance safety and limit bruising or skin damage. Bottom line… In conclusion a vein locater can help to improve the safety of dermal filler injections as well as other cosmetic injections and aid in the prevention of bruising by giving visual access to veins which otherwise cannot be seen with the naked eye. Vein illumination will likely become standard practice for minimally invasive rejuvenation