Talk to any woman with varicose and spider veins and she’ll likely name them as one of her biggest beauty hang-ups. Aside from realizing you’ve missed a few hairs around your knee, there’s not much else that can tarnish picture-perfect legs quite like the appearance of purple, squiggly veins beneath the surface of your skin.
Here in San Diego, we’re lucky to enjoy sunny skies and mild temperatures year round. Unfortunately, this also means your legs are on display in swimsuits, shorts, and skirts every day. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel confident while relaxing at the beach or running around town, rather than wanting to hide beneath layers of clothes?
The good news is – you can! While more than half of adult women deal with embarrassing varicose veins and spider veins on their legs, there’s a lot you can do to make them less noticeable. But before we tell you how to minimize them, let’s clear up the difference between varicose veins and spider veins so you know which type you’re working with.
Varicose veins
Are large, thick blood vessels that twist and turn and are swollen above the surface of the skin. The valves within varicose veins are diseased and therefore don’t fully close to prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. This can (but doesn’t always) cause pain, numbness, and fatigue in the legs and can be a warning of long-term health risks.
Spider veins, or Telangiectasias
Are smaller, thinner blood vessels you can see beneath the surface of your skin. As their name suggests, they have a spider web-like appearance. While unsightly and embarrassing, spider veins are generally not painful nor do they pose any serious health risks. However, they can be a symptom of poor circulation.
No matter how you slice it, visible veins on your lovely legs can really do a number to your self-confidence. Luckily, many of the ways to make them less obvious are minor lifestyle changes you can implement today.
Here are a few things you can do to minimize the appearance of varicose and spider veins.
- Get enough exercise
Low-impact activities like swimming, biking, and walking will boost your circulation, keep your calf muscles fit and prevent vein issues without putting undue stress on your legs.
- Watch what you eat
Obesity is one of the leading causes of varicose veins. All of that excess weight puts pressure on your lower extremities and can result in varicose veins, among other problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
- Quit smoking
The toxic chemicals in cigarettes can do serious damage to your veins by thickening the blood and reducing oxygen, which slows your circulation. Talk to your doctor about new, helpful aids for kicking the habit.
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
If you sit or stand most of the day, it’s important to take breaks to switch your position. Sitting or standing for a long time forces your veins to work harder to pump blood to your heart and can worsen the appearance of veins.
- Cosmetic fixes
For a quick fix, the easiest solution is applying a camouflaging coat of self-tanner or water-resistant body makeup to spider veins. For varicose veins, a supplement of horse-chestnut seed extract will help ease minor aches.
Looking for a permanent solution?
For long-lasting results, you may want to consider professional treatment. With the advanced options available today, you don’t even have to go under the knife to get the smooth, sexy legs you desire.
At the San Diego Varicose Vein Treatment Center, we offer minimally invasive procedures that eliminate diseased veins, allowing blood flow to redirect to healthier ones. During your consultation, Dr. Taghizadeh will diagnose and uncover the sources of your varicose veins and recommend the best procedure for optimal results.
Give us a call to schedule your consultation today. The picture-perfect legs of your dreams are just a phone call away.