Can Spider Veins Worsen with Age?

Although harmless, spider veins are a common cosmetic concern for adults. These small, thin, weblike veins are just below the skin’s surface. They are visible to the naked eye due to their red, blue, or purple appearance. 

If the appearance of your spider veins bothers you, you’ve likely wondered whether they will worsen with age. But to fully understand what causes spider veins to worsen, it is important to understand what causes them. 

Learn what causes spider veins, how they change as you age, and what can be done to treat them. 

What Causes Spider Veins?

In the simplest terms, spider veins appear when small blood vessels near the skin’s surface become dilated. It is not known precisely why these blood vessels dilate. However, researchers have found that the following factors increase the chance of spider veins forming.

Genetics

Some people have a higher predisposition to developing spider veins due to certain genetic factors. Spider veins often run in families. This means if your parents or other close relatives have spider veins, you are also more likely to develop them.

Aging

Everyone becomes more vulnerable to developing spider veins as they get older. Veins become weaker and less elastic as a natural part of the aging process. This makes them more prone to dilation and blood pooling. 

Hormonal Changes 

Hormonal changes are another possible cause of blood vessel dilation that causes spider veins. 

Women are especially prone to significant shifts in hormones during the following life events: 

• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Undergoing hormone therapy
• Taking hormonal birth control

As such, women are also more vulnerable to developing spider veins during these times.

Obesity

Carrying around excess weight puts additional pressure on the veins in your lower body. Over time, this added pressure weakens the blood vessel walls and increases the likelihood of developing spider veins. 

Sedentary Lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle, which is characterized by long periods of sitting or standing with minimal exercise, significantly increases your chance of developing spider veins. Sitting or standing for prolonged periods puts additional pressure on the veins in your legs and increases their chance of dilating. 

Sun Exposure

Everyone knows that excessive sun exposure damages the skin. But did you know that it also damages the underlying blood vessels? The cumulative effects of sun exposure throughout your life can weaken the blood vessels on your face and make them more prone to dilation.  

Can Spider Veins Worsen with Age?

Unfortunately, spider veins can worsen with age. This is because the underlying causes contributing to their development tend to become more pronounced over time.

As you get older, your veins will inevitably lose their strength and elasticity due to the cumulative effects of gravity throughout your life. The valves in your blood vessels also experience significant wear and tear as you age. As they weaken, they may become unable to close correctly, which causes blood to pool in the veins.

Spider veins may also worsen with age as your activity level decreases. A lack of physical activity causes the veins in your legs to become weaker and may make spider veins appear more pronounced. 

Treating Spider Veins

Now that you know that spider veins can worsen with age, the appearance of spider veins in your 20s or 30s can be especially jarring. But there’s no need to panic, as a variety of effective treatments are available to minimize the appearance of spider veins. 

The most popular treatment for spider veins is a minimally invasive procedure known as sclerotherapy. During sclerotherapy, a small amount of a chemical solution is injected into the affected veins. The special solution causes the vein to collapse and eventually be reabsorbed by the body, gradually fading its appearance entirely.

Eliminate Spider Veins at Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center

If you’re tired of pesky spider veins on your face or legs, consider spider vein treatment. At Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center, our team of highly skilled experts has what it takes to address your spider veins once and for all. Reach out today to schedule a visit with a vein specialist.