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Have you noticed small, branching, or weblike veins that are easily visible on your face, legs, feet, or hands? These are known as spider veins. They can appear anywhere on the body and are one of the most common types of vascular lesions.
Although many people are bothered by their appearance, spider veins are generally harmless and do not cause the same discomfort and pain as certain other vascular lesions, such as severe varicose veins.
Still, many people want to do whatever they can to prevent spider veins from worsening. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to slow, prevent, or even reverse the progression of spider veins.
Stay Active
One of the most effective ways to prevent spider veins from worsening is to stay active. Exercise improves your circulation and helps strengthen the muscles that support your veins. When your muscles are strong, they help pump blood back up to your heart, reducing the pressure on your veins.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily to support healthy circulation and prevent spider veins from worsening.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can also help prevent your spider veins from worsening. Being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on your veins, which can cause them to become more visible. Losing weight can reduce the pressure on your veins and help improve circulation.
Avoid Prolonged Sitting or Standing
When you sit or stand for long periods, the blood vessels in your legs must work significantly harder to pump blood back up to your heart.
If you already have spider veins, this can cause blood to pool in your veins, increasing the pressure and making them more visible. To prevent this, try to take frequent breaks and move around. If you have a desk job, try to stand up and stretch your legs every hour.
Wear Compression Stockings
Compression stockings are specially designed to improve circulation and prevent spider veins from worsening. They work by applying gentle pressure to your legs, which helps to support your veins and improve blood flow.
Elevate Your Legs
If you have spider veins in your legs, try elevating them for 15 to 20 minutes several times per day. This practice can help prevent your spider veins from worsening.
Elevating your legs reduces the pressure on your veins and improves blood flow. Even a slight elevation change — such as laying down and propping up your legs with a couple of pillows — can help take the pressure off your veins.
Avoid Tight Clothing
Wearing tight clothing, especially around your waist or thighs, can restrict blood flow and increase the pressure on your veins. This pressure can cause your spider veins to become more visible. Stock your wardrobe with comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that won’t restrict circulation.
It may also be a good idea to ditch high heels, as they can also increase pressure on your veins when worn for long periods.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can help keep your blood flowing smoothly and prevent your spider veins from worsening. When your body is dehydrated, your blood is actually thicker. When your blood is too thick, it is harder for your veins to circulate blood to and from your heart effectively.
Protect Your Skin
Exposure to direct sunlight damages your skin and the underlying blood vessels, causing spider veins to become more pronounced. Before you go out in the sun, you should always apply a strong SPF sunscreen to help protect your skin and veins.
Consider Treatment Options
If you want to eliminate the appearance of spider veins altogether, you should meet with a vein specialist to discuss possible treatment options.
For many people, sclerotherapy is the go-to treatment to stop the progression of spider veins and minimize their appearance. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a small amount of liquid and collapsing the affected veins to prevent blood pooling in the area.
Find Out Whether Spider Vein Treatment Is Right for You
If your spider veins bother you, why not do something about it? Spider vein treatment at Metropolitan Vein and Aesthetic Center is quick, simple, and requires no downtime. Want to learn more? Give us a call today to get started.
