Your Concerns
Spider Veins
Blame it on fashion, hormones, sun-worshipping or genetics, but spider veins are a right of passage for most women. In fact, about 70 percent of adult women are afflicted with them at some time in their lives.
Learn about Spider Veins
Characterized by short, fine lines or starburst clusters of dilated blood vessels, spider veins appear on legs, ankles, feet or face. And they're caused by a wide array of factors. Sun exposure and some skin conditions (like rosacea) can cause spider veins on the face; while spider veins on the legs can stem from a long list of causes, including heredity, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, weight, exercise habits and restrictive clothing.
Women of child-bearing age and older are the most likely candidates for spider veins (or their larger cousins, varicose veins—enlarged veins due to poor circulation), but women (and men) of any age can be affected by this unsightly, sometimes uncomfortable condition. Contrary to popular belief, these veins aren't necessary for circulation.
What you can do:
- Maintain average body weight by exercising regularly.
- Choose low-impact workouts. Try cycling, elliptical training, fast walking or swimming instead of repetitive, high-impact exercise like running.
- Use support hose, especially if you spend a lot of time on your feet.
- Wear sunscreen at all times, especially on the face. Use a broad spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 30 and make sure it contains a physical sun block like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
What to avoid:
- High heels. Skip the stilettos (or at least save them for special occasions) and stick to flat or low-heeled shoes instead.
- Crossing your legs or standing for long periods of time. If your work involves standing, try to push up on your tip-toes a few times per hour.
- Too-tight clothing that can restrict your waist, legs or groin, especially body shapers and girdles.
- Sun exposure, which exacerbates facial spider veins.
How you can Reveal your best you:
- VeinRemedi™: Smaller spider veins (less than 3 mm in diameter) can be treated using laser or light-based therapy by targeting the veins with heat and making the vein fade. Typically 3 to 6 treatments are necessary.
