With the temperatures rising, we can finally wear shorts, skirts and short dresses again! Being a woman is of course something very beautiful, but nature has really disadvantaged us in some ways. cellulite,Strawberry legs, oily skin and the list goes on – we have a lot of problems to deal with, right? And as if that wasn't enough, in the summer some of us have these small, bluish veins visible under the skin on our legs. We are of course talking about the annoying spider veins, which are usually harmless but can really ruin our mood. So what should we do? Wear long pants in summer? No thanks! Instead, we will remove the spider veins! Which home remedies really help, what are spider veins and how can you prevent the visible veins? We will explain all this and much more to you below!
What are spider veins?
Spider veins shimmer bluish or reddish through the skin and are visible as web-like patterns, especially on the upper or lower legs. The small veins are not a serious disease and in principle do not endanger our health, but they are still considered a beauty flaw and spoil the desire of many women to wear short clothing. Spider veins occur when the veins are working poorly and are often a sign of the beginning of venous weakness. Due to the overstretching of the vessel walls, the veins slowly lose their elasticity over time, which leads to the dark veins. Since women tend to have weaker connective tissue, they are often more affected than men.
What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?
Spider veins are generally harmless and should not be confused with varicose veins. Varicose veins are also known medically as varicose veins and can be very dangerous. The superficial veins are so dilated that they appear as knotty, winding blood vessels under the skin. Varicose veins are veins with a reduced ability to carry blood back to the heart, and this impairment can cause blood to pool in the legs. According to a survey, around 20 percent of adults are affected by it and the first signs appear around the age of 30. Although varicose veins are not initially a health problem, they can become onevenous insufficiencylead – a disease that can spread to other veins over time. As soon as severe pain, difficulty sleeping and sore skin occur, you should definitely consult a doctor and discuss appropriate treatment options.
The most common causes of spider veins
There are actually many causes of spider veins and there are a number of factors that promote the appearance of the small veins. For example, heredity plays an important role and if your mother or grandma has it, you will most likely get spider veins too. Here is an overview of the most important causes of spider veins:
- Gender and age –As a rule, women tend to have weak connective tissue more often than men. Older people are also more likely to get spider veins than younger people.
- High blood pressure and blood congestion in the veins –When blood backs up in the veins, the vessel walls can expand - which in turn promotes the development of spider veins. For this reason, people with higher blood pressure have a higher risk of various venous diseases, including spider veins.
- Overweight and lack of exercisealso lead to slowed blood flow in the veins. Strong weight fluctuations and excess weight wear out the blood vessels and connective tissue, which supports the formation of spider veins. Sitting or lying down for too long also slows down the blood flow in the veins and can lead to a feeling of tension in the legs.
- ThatAlcohol and nicotineWe all actually know that they are harmful. The recreational toxins can also permanently damage the blood vessels and increased spider veins on the face are even considered the first sign of an alcohol problem.
Lasering or destroying spider veins: This is what you should know about it
If you find the bluish veins a visual flaw and want to remove the spider veins, then we have good news for you! There are various treatment options available to you - you could laser the spider veins or destroy them. We will explain exactly how this works below.
- Laser spider veins –During laser therapy, the capillaries are removed using a laser device. The doctor then “shoots” the light energy specifically onto the enlarged veins and the vessel walls are damaged so much that the body breaks down the spider veins. The laser method is particularly suitable for very thin vessels and generally does not leave any scars. However, in some cases there could be a pigmentation change in the skin in the affected areas. Several sessions are usually necessary for successful removal and, depending on the clinic, the prices are between 100 and 200 euros per therapy. Since this is a cosmetic treatment, the costs are not covered by health insurance.
- Destroy spider veins –The sclerotherapy of spider veins is known as “sclerotherapy” and is found by most women to be more painful than laser treatment. A chemical agent is injected into the vessel, which causes damage to the inner wall. This causes the vein walls to stick together and are gradually broken down by the body. Mild irritation may occur during sclerotherapy and multiple sessions are necessary for optimal results. Here too, the costs are 100-200 euros and are not covered by health insurance.
In addition to various medical treatments, there are fortunately also some home remedies that we can use to remove spider veins. However, unfortunately we cannot promise you that the following methods will completely get rid of the small veins, but you can still achieve very good results for your skin's appearance. In addition, a little patience is required, because it won't work overnight - in order to remove the spider veins or at least make them appear less visible, external application for several weeks is necessary.
Unripe tomatoes and sprouting potatoes against spider veins
Unripe tomatoes and sprouting potatoes – sounds strange at first glance, but they are actually one of the best ways to remove spider veins at home. In this state, the two foods contain the toxic alkaloid solanine, which should not be consumed by humans. But that's exactly the secret, because solanine can actually make the veins less visible after just 2 weeks. To do this, cut an unripe tomato and a sprouting potato into thin slices and place them on the affected areas. Leave on for four to five minutes, remove the vegetables and care for the skin with a moisturizing cream. For optimal results, repeat the process 2-3 times a day.
Remove spider veins with horse chestnut ointment
Horse chestnuts not only taste very good, but can actually help against spider veins. They contain the active ingredient aescin, which has a strengthening effect on veins and vessels and reduces water retention in the tissue. Horse chestnut ointment also helps against heavy and swollen legs. You can either buy the finished ointment at the pharmacy or make it yourself. And here is the recipe for the homemade horse chestnut cream:
- Briefly heat 130 ml of lavender oil with around 1-2 tablespoons of horse chestnut shells (also available in the pharmacy or drugstore) over medium heat and then let the mixture cool in the refrigerator for 4-5 hours.
- Apply the horse chestnut ointment to the affected areas using circular movements and allow to absorb. Repeat the process 2-3 times a day and after just 2 weeks the spider veins will be less visible.
Apple cider vinegar for spider veins
Apple cider vinegaris a real all-rounder and, thanks to its blood circulation-promoting properties, can also help in the fight against spider veins. It's also quite easy to use, so you can treat the veins several times a day. To do this, simply drip some apple cider vinegar onto a cotton pad and dab it several times on the affected areas. For optimal results, we recommend using the procedure 4-5 times a day for about 4 weeks - it takes a little longer, but it works really well. However, you should avoid treating spider veins on your face with apple cider vinegar because the acid it contains can irritate and dry out sensitive skin.
Massage oil with lemon and garlic
A homemade massage oil with olive oil, lemon juice and garlic is also a cheaper and effective way to remove spider veins. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilator properties of the foods promote lymphatic flow and blood circulation in the legs, which in turn prevents blockage of blood vessels and fluid retention. The oil also has a super relaxing effect and can counteractswollen feethelp! And it's that easy:
- Squeeze two cloves of garlic and mix well with the juice of one lemon and 120 ml olive oil.
- Pour the tincture into a jar with a lid and let it steep in the refrigerator for 48 hours.
- Then pour the mixture through a sieve and your massage oil against spider veins is ready.
- Apply the oil to the affected areas 2-3 times a week, massage in with light pressure for 10 minutes and leave on for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and care for the skin with a moisturizing cream.
How can you prevent spider veins?
When it comes to spider veins, prevention is better than cure! The good news is that there are some super easy and successful preventative measures. The most important ones are of course exercise and sport!
Prevent spider veins with exercise
Regular training not only makes us fit, but also strengthens the connective tissue. Below we have a few helpful exercises for you against spider veins. For optimal results, combine the exercises with short alternating showers. To do this, rinse your legs alternately with cold and warm water for a few minutes after showering - this strengthens the skin tissue and stimulates blood circulation.
- Stand upright and lift your heels. After a few seconds, lower it again and repeat the process for about 5 minutes.
- Sit on a chair and place your legs at a 90 degree angle. Now lift your heels as far as possible off the floor, lift your toes and pull them towards your shins. It is best to do the exercise several times a day for 5 minutes.
- Lie on your back with your legs in the air and repeat the typical movements of riding a bike for 3-4 minutes.
- Also different onesStretching exercisesfor the legs are ideal for stimulating blood circulation and preventing spider veins.
Compression stockings against spider veins
The majority of us work in the office and sit in front of the computer for at least 8 hours a day. However, sitting for too long and not moving enough can promote the development of spider veins. In this case, medical compression stockings would be our salvation! They stimulate blood circulation in the legs, prevent the legs from swelling and also feel super light and comfortable. There are now many fashionable models on the market that are real eye-catchers.
Avoid high heels and clothing that is too tight
And bad news for all fans of high heels and skinny jeans. What we wear can also affect vein health. High heels and tight clothing can actually promote the development of spider veins. The tight fit of the pants puts a lot of pressure on the nerves in the legs, which makes the veins even more visible. You should also only wear high heels occasionally and not every day and prefer comfortable sneakers. If there is no other option, always wear high heels with compression stockings.
