Spider veins are small veins that most commonly appear on the surface of the legs and thighs. They most commonly appear as red, blue or purple lines, and bear a resemblance to tree branches or spider webs, hence their name. There are several explanations why spider veins come about. It can be plainly from growing older or it can be hereditary. Spider veins can also grow on the cheeks and nose as a consequence of too much exposure to the sun.
Veins relay blood that has made its way through our limbs and back to the heart. These veins boast valves that restrict blood from flowing backwards. If these valves stop working, blood begins to leak back into the vein. The vein then becomes enlarged, becoming visible through the skin.
Pregnancy can also cause the onset of spider veins. Pregnancy amplifies the quantity of blood that passes through the body. This has been known to put pressure on the veins, forcing them to expand. Veins caused by pregnancy normally disappear within three months of delivery. But the quantity of spider veins has been known to escalate with each additional pregnancy.
There are some measures you can take to prevent spider veins from developing or getting worse. The easiest thing you can do would be to make a habit of putting your feet up when sitting down. You should always avoid too much exposure to the sun to stop spider veins from developing on the face. You should also exercise regularly, particularly exercises that build up your legs, improving your circulation. It is also beneficial to eat plenty of foods that are high in fiber, and to limit how much salt you eat.
Except with pregnancy, spider veins do not usually disappear without some sort of vein therapy. However, there are many treatment options that are available to help treat spider veins. Probably the most popular spider vein treatment would be varicose vein laser therapy. Varicose laser therapy administers bursts of light onto the vein, which forces the vein to disappear gradually. Doctors who perform varicose vein laser treatment are able to accurately treat only the vein, so the neighboring skin is not affected. It is normally considered less painful than other types of treatments since it does not need the use of needles or incisions. Varicose vein laser therapy can still be painful however, due to the fact that the laser creates a considerable amount of heat on the skin.
Every varicose vein laser treatment typically only lasts 10-15 minutes. After receiving varicose laser therapy, the patient can return to their scheduled activities immediately. Two to five treatments are commonly all that are needed to get rid of spider veins. It has been proven safe to use on the legs in addition to the face.