Calvert Creak
Skin Care Information
Spider Veins - What are Spider Veins
Most people think that “spider veins” are broken blood vessels because that is what they look like. Actually, spider veins are not “broken” at all. Spider veins are known medically as telangiectasias and are a web-like proliferation of the smallest veins and capillaries that are visible through the skin to the outside world. Although the veins and capillaries are not broken, they are dilated (expanded) to a larger than normal diameter. They are red, blue or purple in appearance, and may affect a small or large area of the face, upper chest, neck or legs.
Most people find spider veins cosmetically unattractive.
What causes Spider Veins?
A number of factors can cause spider veins, including:
- Genetics: you are more prone to spider veins if your family has a history of them.
- The natural aging process in the skin
- Sun damage
- Use of steroids such as cortisone
- Rosacea (a skin disease): spider veins occur as a symptom of this disease.
- Scleroderma: spider veins occur as a symptom of this disease.
- Lupus: spider veins occur as a symptom of this disease.
- Retin A: although this miracle skin cream has been proven to reduce wrinkles, it may also cause spider veins in some people.
Sometimes spider veins are only temporary, occurring only at certain times. Temporary spider veins occur because blood vessels release more blood to the surface of the skin when they dilate (expand), causing skin redness. Factors that can cause temporary spider veins include:
- Sun exposure
- Wind exposure
- Cold weather exposure
- Excessive physical exertion
- Overheating of the body
- Stress
- Consumption of hot foods or beverages
- Consumption of spicy foods
- Alcohol consumption
How to Eliminate Spider Veins?
Epilation is a procedure performed in dermatology clinics using a very fine needle that is charged with low voltage electricity. Epilation destroys spider veins by “zapping” the surface of the spider vein. It has a 98% success rate. The procedure can be slightly painful, therefore a topical anaesthetic is applied prior to the procedure. There can be some redness and inflammation (swelling) of the treated area for a few days after the spider veins have been removed.
Photofacial rejuvenation is another option for removing spider veins. This procedure is also performed in dermatology clinics but does not use any type of needle. Photofacila rejuvenation uses a pulsed light that destroys the superficial blood vessels that cause spider veins. As a side benefit, the procedure also removes any brown discoloration. One the downside, photofacial rejuvenation is more expensive than epilation and requires five thirty minute treatments performed every three to four weeks to eliminate spider veins.
Vitamin K skin cream can be used to treat less severe spider veins. The underlying mechanism through which vitamin K reduces spider veins is by inhibiting bleeding.
If you don’t want to undergo medical treatment for spider veins but still want to minimise them, remember that on the color spectrum, green counteracts red. Some women use green-tinted concealer liquid or powder to cover up the redness of their spider veins.
Finally, don’t forget your sunscreen so that you minimise your chances of further sun damage that contributes to the development of further spider veins.
