Do your legs regularly feel heavy? Are you worried about developing spider veins? Here are some good daily habits that will stop them forming and keep your legs beautiful.
What are spider veins?
Just like a varicose vein, a spider vein is one that no longer pushes the blood back to the heart correctly. The difference between a varicose vein and a spider vein is in the size: varicose veins are bigger and deeper – situated in the subcutaneous tissue; whereas spider veins are superficial vessels in the skin.
There are different factors encouraging spider veins:
- Heredity;
- Dilation of the veins: the valves are no longer functioning optimally and the blood doesn’t go back to the heart correctly;
- A reflux from the deep venous system towards the superficial system. In this case spider veins may be wider but also more localized.
If you have a lot of small dilated capillaries on your skin then you may be susceptible to spider veins.
- Other signs to watch out for
- Heaviness and tiredness in your legs;
- Irregular pigmentation on your skin;
- Irritation;
- Edema;
- Varicose ulcer.
What factors encourage the formation of spider veins?
There are some factors, which appear harmless; that encourage the formation of spider veins. To know what they are is to be able to better protect yourself.
- Prolonged contact with a heat source (sun, water, some under floor heating systems, hot wax depilation, etc.);
- Standing or sitting for long periods;
- Crossing the legs;
- Being overweight;
- Belts, corsets or other garments that are too tight;
- Shoes and boots that are too hot;
- Sports that involve running and hitting (tennis, squash, volleyball);
- Pregnancy;
- Age;
- Oral contraceptives.
How can you prevent the appearance of spider veins?
A few simple daily habits will help prevent the appearance of spider veins and keep your legs beautifully light.
- After a warm bath, make sure to rinse your legs with cold water, pointing the jet upwards to encourage the circulation of the blood towards the heart;
- After you have spent a long time standing or sitting, raise your legs for 30 minutes;
- Massage your legs from the bottom to the top using appropriate moisturizing creams;
- Put your legs up when you sleep, or when you are sitting down;
- Get some exercise! Walk, climb the stairs, stretch your legs, move your feet, take a few steps on your toes to exercise your calf muscles, lie on your back and pedal in the air, etc. These little exercises are simple and effective!
- Keep your skin in good condition by applying a body cream, such as Medicart Soothing Balm, every evening before sleeping;
- Wear compression stockings, which improve the blood flow in your legs.
These simple daily habits will help you to keep your legs light and healthy.
For more informations, visit epiderma.ca.