1. How does it work?
Using an extremely small probe, the Vascular 300 uses two forms of electrical current to electrocoagulate vessels. One form of current used is a high frequency (HF) or also called RF current. The other current used is DC, also called galvanic current. The DC current creates a small pocket of NaOH or lye around the probe, which keeps the clot from adhering to the probe. When the HF current is applied (at the extremely small dose of 40 to 55 volts) the vessel coagulates and disappears.

2. How deep do you place the probe? The answer to this relates to the vascular blemish that you are removing. The probe placement is topical (i.e at the epidermal layer) and the current affects the vascular blemish that is located at the juncture of the dermal papilla and the epidermis. The reason that you can see vascular blemish in the first place is that the vessels have pushed up to the outermost edge of the dermal papilla (see diagram)

3. Can anyone do this procedure?
The Vascular 300 is licensed as a Class I device by the FDA (microdermbrasion is also a class I device). This means that the operation of this device is governed by the state board of your particular practice. In an aesthetic practice, the governing body over aestheticians is the State Board of Cosmetology. In a medical practice, it is the State Medical Board. Can an aesthetician do this procedure? We have not yet encountered a state where aestheticians have not been able to perform this procedure if the person is licensed. Neither does the physician have to be present if the procedure is done in a medical office.

4. Can the clotted vessel break free and possibly form an embolism in the blood system?
This seems unlikely since surrounding tissue is coagulated along with the capillary itself. In this way, the clot is held in place by surrounding coagulated tissue. Also, arterioles and capillaries become smaller in diameter as they reach the cells. Any loose coagulated material would therefore flow into a structure of diminishing diameter and be held until absorbed by the body. The risk of embolism is negligible when coagulating minute vessels.

5. Is the treatment permanent?
The vessels treated will disappear permanently, though it may take more than one treatment to effect this. This doesn’t mean that other vessels or lesions will not pop up. Once the vessel is electrocoagulated, the vessel becomes reabsorbed into the body and the lesion should blend into the surrounding tissue in several weeks time.

6. How long does a treatment take?
Typically a single lesion can be treated in under ten minutes time. Multiple lesions may take longer.

7. Can I treat skin tags with the Vascular 300?
Yes! By setting the device to the “Skin Tag” protocol, skin tags can be treated using a larger dose of high frequency quite easily. Once treated, they fall off in several days.

8. What are the charges associated with doing vascular blemish removal?
Typical charges are between $75 and $150 per procedure, depending upon the severity of the lesion. Even though the treatment may only take a few minutes, there is education involved, and there may be some post treatment protocols, such as cataphoresis with galvanic current (helps to calm the treated area). These can increase the visit to thirty to forty five minutes on a first encounter. Most licensed professionals bill according to the time involved with the patient as well as the cost of doing the procedure.

9. What are the costs of the disposable items?
The only disposable item involved in doing vascular blemish removal is the probe, which costs approximately $1 each. They are single patient use only.

10. Is there scarring associated with doing this procedure?
No. In the history of this procedure being done (almost twenty years in practice) there has not been any history of scarring.

11. Can’t you do the same thing with a hyfrecator?
A hyfrecator uses only high frequency current, and at levels at least ten times the voltage that the Vascular 300 uses. A hyfrecator only touches the surface of the epidermis and therefore almost always leaves scars (see diagram). The surrounding skin and deeper layers of dermis are also affected. Scabs of 4 millimeters or more form, and tiny scars are common when using only a hyfrecator or using high frequency current only.

12. Is the procedure painful?
This depends entirely upon the area being treated. When treating vessels around the nose and nares, it can be quite painful without the use of a topical analgesic. We have found great success with the topical use of a 5% lidocaine. It numbs the area in seconds, and lasts long enough to do a series of treatments. EMLA takes, on average, about thirty to forty minutes to numb the area, but can also be used.

13. Can you treat the lower extremities, i.e. varicose veins on the legs?
Most easily one of the most common vascular blemishes, treating the lower extremities is a little more complex than treating the upper extremities. Yes, you can treat the lower extremities using Vascular 300, however, there is a different post treatment protocol. Because the blood pressure in the in the legs is greater than the face and increases as the patient stands up and walks you need to be a little more patient in how quickly the patient leaves the treatment table. Muscular contraction starts as soon as the feet hit the floor, making the coagulation more susceptible to breaking free. Wrapping the treated area in an ace bandage, making the patient lie prone for fifteen to twenty minutes, ensuring the discontinuation of aspirin and alcohol prior to and after the procedure all help to make treating the lower extremities more successful.

14. Can you treat couperose skin with the Vascular 300?
Yes! The number of treatments required will depend upon the number of capillaries involved.

15. How much does it cost?
List Price on the Vascular 300 is $4995. Many customers choose to rent or lease the system. This means that treating only three people per month will make it profitable to perform vascular blemish removal in your practice!

16. What is included in the purchase of the system?
On-site certification training is performed at your convenience. A 3 year warranty on the system, along with a start up kit of supplies (probes and topical anesthetic). The most important part of the purchase is the inclusion of a marketing program that will jump-start your flow of patients. Office promotional material includes a tri-fold patient flyer, ad slick for newspaper advertising, as well detailed instructions on how to directly market this procedure to your patients and to the public at-large. When you purchase this, or any piece of equipment from me, you get a piece of me for the lifetime of your equipment. My goal is to make your business successful and profitable through your purchase.