Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are red or blue colored veins that are enlarged near the surface of the skin. Normally a few millimeters in size, these spider veins occur primarily on the face and legs, but can appear anywhere on the body. Although not all spider veins can be prevented, there are some general tips, home remedies and clinical procedures available to minimize their appearance.
Instructions
Dietary Changes
1. Consume food rich in fiber content like fruits, vegetable and whole grain to reduce constipation. Straining to move the bowels will put pressure on the veins causing the blood to take a detour through the superficial veins, resulting in bluish veins on the skin.
2. Eat a low-sodium diet, as salt retains water in your body causing it to swell.
3. Increase the intake of ginger, garlic and onion to help break down a natural and insoluble protein called fibrin that surrounds the veins. Fibrin acts as a barrier around wounds and assists in blood clotting, but in the process it gets deposited around the veins giving it a lumpy look.
Lifestyle Modifications
4. Try not to sit or stand in the same position for a long period of time since this affects the pressure on the valves in your veins. Keep your feet elevated with pillows while sleeping and use an ottoman or a recliner when reading or watching TV.
5. Have cool showers instead of hot ones as heat dilates the blood vessels making them more conspicuous. Reduce prolonged exposure in the sun and remember to wear sunscreen.
6. Exercise at least half an hour a day to promote circulation. tone muscles and firm your skin. These benefits from exercise will help prevent veins from bulging out and becoming noticeable.
7. Apply concealer with a latex sponge and foundation cream with powder to temporarily fix spider veins on the face. For those on your legs and other body parts, use an opaque cream-based product and setting powder available in department stores.
Clinical Methods
8. Consider sclerotherapy, a nonsurgical treatment where medication is dripped into the vein through a tiny needle that makes the vein valve swell, stick and shut. This stops the blood flow through the damaged vein. It does not require anesthesia and most patients see a 50 to 90 percent improvement.
9. Opt for laser treatment if needles give you the creeps. Laser surgery sends a strong burst of light on the blood vessel making it fade away and disappear. Depending upon the size of the spider vein, the treatment takes from 2 to 5 twenty-minute sittings.
10. Slow down the development of new spider veins by asking your doctor to prescribe compression stockings that help with circulation.
Tags: spider veins