Warmer weather means saying goodbye to winter clothes and hello to summer outfits. When making the switch, you may be shocked to find spider veins on your arms or legs. This commonly occurring condition also goes by the name of thread veins and can indicate weakened or damaged veins.

Spider veins are mostly painless, but it is not uncommon to have some discomfort. While this condition is not as severe as varicose veins, you should take steps to find out what’s causing them. Figuring out why your body developed this condition can help you naturally alleviate and prevent spider veins.

Causes

Spider veins tend to crop up in parts of the body that manage a lot of pressure like legs, arms or feet. Still, seeing spider veins on your face is not impossible. Here are some of the most common reasons this condition comes about.

• Ageing: As we age, the valves in our veins get weaker. This means they aren’t as capable of withstanding pressure. Also, some muscles lose their strength and aren’t able to circulate blood well. Both of these factors lead to the development of spider veins.
• Changes in pressure: Something as simple as a really hard sneeze can cause spider veins on your face. Coughing and vomiting also cause this condition. Women even get spider veins after giving birth because of pushing so hard.
• Weight gain: If you gain a significant amount of weight, you put more pressure on your legs. Legs that have trouble dealing with the weight will develop this condition.
• Pregnancy: Like weight gain, there is more pressure on your body when you are pregnant. Not to mention, there is much more blood circulating through your body. While spider veins can go away after pregnancy, it’s also possible for them to remain permanently.
• Sun damage: The UV rays from the sun can enlarge blood vessels and make them more visible.

Risk Factors

Your habits and health can cause spider veins; however, you can also be genetically predisposed to them. Below are some common risk factors for this condition.

• Genetics: Most people who experience this condition say they run in the family. Genetics determine how your veins and valves work.
• Hormones: Spider veins affect women more than men. That’s due to the way that estrogen tends to make vein valves weaker. Females taking hormonal birth control or undergoing hormonal treatment for menopause are especially at risk.
• Previous vein damage: If you’ve been injured and suffered some kind of damage to your blood vessels, you can get spider veins. This damage can include blood clots, vein damage, or head injuries.

Remedies

With the help of some wonderful natural ingredients, you can naturally reduce the visibility of spider veins without surgery.

• Horse chestnut has anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce swelling, which can help strengthen veins and make them less visible.
• Witch hazel works as a natural astringent and can help reduce signs of this condition. This naturally contains ethanol (alcohol) which will dry out your skin, consider this before using it on your face.
• Calendula oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and has a reputation for helping with eczema, rashes, and even varicose veins.
• Arnica oil increases blood circulation and fights against inflammation.
• Aloe vera helps reduce redness and also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Assuming you aren’t allergic to any of these ingredients, you can try using all of them to see which work best. Although we would recommend combining elements. Witch hazel and horse chestnut work well together to make a lovely toner (only for very oily skin due to ethanol content in witch hazel.) Calendula oil and arnica oil pair well to create a potent serum. Aloe vera works well with your regular moisturizer to soothe and help repair skin.

Tips

Curing this condition is impossible, but there are ways to prevent spider veins in the long run.

Get moving

Staying active helps get your blood flowing, tone muscles, reduce swelling, and alleviate pressure. Do your best not to sit for long periods. Taking a thirty-minute walk every day is a healthy habit for preventing spider veins.

Relax your feet

Be sure to take the pressure off your legs and feet when you relax. Put your feet up so that your veins can rest. For best results, try regularly raising your feet above the level of your heart. Also, do your best to avoid wearing high heels.

Snag a pair of compression stockings

Compression stockings are a popular way to treat spider veins. These stockings can help fight off swelling and reduce the risk of blood clots. Compression stockings place pressure lower in the legs to balance blood flow and prevent further spidering.

The Takeaway

Taking care of your skin also means taking care of your body. Spider veins are our bodies’ way of telling us that they’re struggling. Be kind to your body and avoid putting too much pressure on it. Naturally reduce signs of spider veins with some of nature’s inflammation-fighting ingredients listed above. To learn more about combating signs of ageing, read Mayca’s post on anti-wrinkle essential oils. For more on natural ingredients, sign up for WapoBeauty’s Complete Online Course.

ABOUT OUR BLOGGER

Ashuni Pérez is an American writer based in Valencia, Spain. She has a passion for natural beauty and the environment. Ashuni loves to cycle and drink smoothies in the sun. Follow her on Instagram at @ashuuuuni