How to Prevent Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, visible blood vessels that form on the surface of the skin. These unsightly lines can range in color from red to purple and can be quite embarrassing for those who suffer from them. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent spider veins from forming. Here’s what you need to know.
Causes of Spider Veins
Spider veins typically appear from genetics, age, and lifestyle factors, but anyone can be susceptible to them. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause spider veins to appear as excess hormones cause dilation of the capillary walls and increased pressure. Standing or sitting for lengthy periods of time is another common factor, as constriction of capillaries occurs due to lack of circulation, again resulting in spider veins appearing on the surface of the skin.
Spider Vein Prevention Tips
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to prevent spider veins from forming. Exercise helps improve circulation throughout your body, which keeps your veins healthy and strong. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, five days a week. This can include walking, jogging, swimming, or any other form of moderate physical activity.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight puts extra strain on your legs and feet and increases your risk of developing spider veins. If you’re currently carrying some extra weight around your midsection, try implementing a healthy diet plan that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables along with lean proteins and whole grains. Also, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water each day—at least 8 glasses—to stay hydrated and maintain optimal health.
Wear Supportive Clothing
If you already have spider veins, wearing supportive clothing such as compression stockings can help reduce swelling in your legs and feet while also improving circulation throughout your body. You can purchase compression stockings at most drugstores or medical supply stores or ask your doctor for advice about which ones are right for you.
Professional Spider Vein Treatment
Spider veins can be unsightly and embarrassing–but fortunately, spider vein treatments have come a long way, and there are now multiple methods in which spider veins can be treated. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into spider veins to cause inflammation, resulting in the vein collapsing. Foam sclerotherapy is similar to regular sclerotherapy, except the solution is foamed up before injection for a larger area of coverage. Finally, laser therapy involves exposing spider veins to laser light so that the vessels can be broken down, promoting absorption of the spider vein by the body. Ultimately all three of these spider vein treatments offer effective solutions to restore clear and beautiful skin!
Get Help from the Professionals at the Arizona Vein & Laser Institute
By following the prevention tips outlined above, you should see an improvement in the appearance of existing spider veins as well as fewer new ones appearing over time. Talk to the team at Arizona Vein & Laser Institute today about additional treatments that may help reduce the appearance of spider veins even further by contacting us at 602-298-8346 today!