how to get rid of spider veins naturally

Last Updated: 12th October 2016

Spider veins are more commonly referred to as varicose veins, although the two terms aren't quite interchangeable. They are very similar. Often unsightly and painful, spider veins can appear anywhere on the body but don't usually cause any health complications. The good news is you can get rid of them naturally, with tips shared below.

What Are Spider Veins?

Before you find out how to get rid of them, you need to know more about them. Just why do they appear and what do they mean for your body?

They are similar to varicose veins in the way they look. They're purple/red/blue, and the colours often twist together. Most commonly on the legs and face, the veins cluster together close to the surface and get their name from the way they look: very much like a spider.

As mentioned, they don't usually lead to serious health complications, unlike varicose veins. Some may lead to ulcers so you will need to keep an eye on them. The cosmetic issue is the biggest reason for people to look for ways to get rid of them. There are various medical methods to help move the veins further down through the skin, so they can't be seen. However, the long-term effects of some of these treatments are unknown, and they cost money.

It's time to find the natural methods to remove the spider veins. Here's all you need to know.

Why Do We Get Spider Veins?

Anyone is susceptible to spider veins, especially those with paler skin (they show through much easier). There are some people more susceptible than others.

If others in your family already have these types of veins, you're more likely to develop them. While you can't do much about your genes, you can take care of other elements to reduce the chances.

Being overweight is a common reason for spider veins to appear. You put your body under more pressure and make it harder for the blood to circulate. Those who stand for look periods of time are also more likely to develop them.

Likewise, those who suffer from blood clots or take the contraceptive pill can increase their chances of developing the veins because of the poorer circulation and hormonal changes. Hormonal fluctuations can lead to the spider veins appearing or make them look worse. This is especially common during puberty, menopause or pregnancy.

Getting Rid of Spider Veins on Your Face

The veins on your face are more likely to be ones you're concerned about the most. They are always in sight, and there's only so much makeup that you can use. There are various creams and lotions that you can make from your own home.

The first trick is to cut down on your exposure to the sun, especially without strong sunscreen. It is the exposure to the harmful rays that weaken the layers of the skin, making it easier for the veins to show through. By keeping the layers strong, you will help your skin hide them. It's also worth cutting down on some cosmetics you use to protect the strength of the layers.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Now you've done that, you can start using a few home remedies to improve the look of the veins. Apple cider vinegar is an extremely powerful natural ingredient that you may already have in your cupboards. The vinegar isn't just great for this, but powerful for cleaning, disinfecting, and boosting the health.

Apple cider vinegar is one of those ingredients that will boost the blood supply helping to boost the strength in the layers of the skin. You can also help the veins drop into the layers, rather than being on the show to the world.

All you'll need is some of the vinegar on a clean cloth. It works as a compress that you place directly onto your face. You can use it on other body parts, but the face most benefits because of the thinner layers already there. If you have sensitive skin, you may find that diluting the vinegar is better to take advantage of this method.

Leave the cloth on your skin for about 30 minutes and use it twice a day. It will take at least two months to start seeing some benefits so it won't be an overnight success. Make it part of your beauty routine, so you see the spider veins disappear completely. If you don't see some results within the month, it's not going to work.

Horse Chestnut Seeds

Due to the antioxidants saponins and tannins, horse chestnut seeds improve circulation and reduce inflammation. They're also great for boost other areas of the health.

Spider veins can often feel itchy and painful. They may also lead to some swelling. The good news is that horse chestnut seeds will help to fight against all of these problems, by reducing the inflammation around the area and improve the blood flow. The seeds will also strengthen your veins, improving their elasticity, so they don't feel as painful when you move around.

You can apply this natural remedy topically to the area. This is a great option for the face because it is soft for sensitive skin. It's also useful for other parts of the body that have spider veins. Just mix a few tablespoons of horse chestnut seeds with some distilled witch hazel to take advantage of all the benefits.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel isn't just added to horse chestnut seeds to be a liquid base for dissolving. It's also a powerful healing tool and helps to fight against spider veins. The veins strengthen your blood vessels, which help to boost flexibility. While it doesn't do much for the skin, it can help to soothe the pain you may feel.

The good news is the witch hazel can be used with other ingredients, as already mentioned, to get all the results that you want. It's another treatment that you will need to use topically.

Ginger

Ginger has been used for healing for centuries and is one of those that you probably already have in your cupboard. Fresh ginger is better than the dried counterpart, but dried is better than nothing at all.

When the veins are injured, fibrin builds up around the area. The veins look much worse than they really are. You need to break up this protein in some way, and ginger does just that. You'll also find that your circulation is given a boost with the use of the ingredient.

There are many health benefits to using ginger, which help to improve the look of spider veins. One of those is improving blood pressure levels. High blood pressure puts a lot of strain on the veins, and the use of ginger helps to lower this. When the veins aren't put under strain, they don't show up as much through the skin.

You can create cream with the ginger to apply topically, but another option is to inject it. Try adding some ginger to a couscous salad, or make a tea out of it. Allow your body to absorb the beneficial properties.

All of these methods can also be used topically for the rest of your body. There are other natural steps that you can take to get rid of the spider veins and improve the look of your skin.

Lose Weight Healthily

As obesity makes you more susceptible to developing spider veins, losing weight will help to rectify the problem. You take some of the pressure off your body by losing some of the fat, and your skin is strengthened.

It's important to lose the weight healthily. Losing it too quickly and creating a nutrition deficiency can lead to making the veins look worse. You also risk weakening the skin further, because the collagen loses its flexibility and tears start to form in the middle layers. This then leads to stretch marks forming and weaker layers in the upper sections. Weaker collagen is certainly a problem in those who have poorly hydrated skin when losing weight quickly.

By losing weight healthily, you'll also ensure you get enough of certain nutrients. These will help to strengthen the skin and boost the circulation. They can also improve blood pressure levels, taking the strain off the veins as much as possible.

Focusing on a healthy diet will also help you get the nutrients needed to protect your veins. You'll get the good cholesterol that doesn't block arteries and stop the blood flowing.

Exercise on a Daily Basis

This will help those who want to lose weight healthily, while also helping to get rid of spider veins. However, you need to think carefully about the type of exercise that you do. Prolonged standing is one of the reasons for people to get these veins, so you don't want an exercise that keeps you rooted to the spot for long periods of time. Prolonged sitting causes the same problem, and can also lead to more varicose veins.

Moving around will get the blood pumping properly. You lower your risk of blood clots while strengthening the body in many ways. All these benefits keep the veins strong and protected. You'll also burn more calories, help you to lose weight and offering the benefits mentioned above.

If you do sit or stand for long periods of your work, look for ways to boost the amount that you move around. You can start standing and working, especially if you have an office job. Alternate between the two to boost your blood flow, feel healthier and feel more awake. If you have to stand behind a cashier desk for long periods of time, walk on the spot or find ways that will allow you to walk around a shop floor.

Getting some daily exercise is important. This should be at least 30 minutes a day, and you should try to walk at least 10,000 steps. This 30 minute doesn't have to be all at once. You can do 5-10 minutes here and there to fit it around your work and daily routines. The more you do, the better you will feel.

Exercise isn't just good for getting rid of spider veins and losing weight. There are so many benefits of following a weekly exercise routine.

Leg toning exercises are among the type of ones that you want to do. They help to improve the circulation in this specific area, improving the look of the spider veins here. Facial exercises will help to improve the blood flow to the sections where the spider veins show around here.

Wear Compression Socks

If you do need to sit for long periods of time, compression socks will help. These are especially beneficial if you're on a flight and may not be able to stand for the duration; maybe you're going through a turbulent flight where the seatbelt sign is always on for your safety.

Compression socks are great for those who are also on bed rest or finding walking around difficult. They can be purchased from a local pharmacy, and it's worth getting a few pairs so you can wear them regularly if you really need to.

Of course, the compression socks don't do as much good as getting in some walking in your day. If you can, try to walk for at least five minutes every how to help improve circulation.

Another tip if you are wearing compression socks is to raise your legs. Get them above your heart to take the pressure off them. This is also great if you do find yourself standing for long periods of the day. This is something worth doing while you are sleeping.

Stop Crossing Your Legs

When you do sit, think about your posture and how that can stop the blood from circulating around your body. One of the issues with sitting is when people cross their legs. This could be one leg over the other or at the ankles. Either way, this sort of crossing can cut off the blood supply. The blood also has to do more work to get over the leg that is crossed.

If you sit on the floor, you should also try not to sit in the Native American position, with the legs crossed. Again, you're stopping the blood from circulating fully, and this leads to the veins appearing. Try sitting in a frog-legged position or with the legs straight out in front to help to keep the blood flowing.

When sitting on a chair, the best way to sit is with both feet flat on the floor, at the side of each other. Keep the back straight and head looking straight forward. This won't just improve the look of your spider veins, but will also help to improve your posture and core stability.

Improve Your Blood Circulation with a Massage

Your blood circulation is one of the main reasons that spider veins occur. When it's poor, the veins weaken and start to raise to the top. The skin is also affected since it can't get everything it needs to look and feel healthy.

One of the best things you can do is find ways to improve the circulation and what better way than getting a massage? This can also help those cardiovascular issues and blood pressure problems. Massaging the skin will help you feel more relaxed and in control of your situations. You can alleviate the feeling of stress, boosting your serotonin and endorphins.

While improving your blood circulation, the massage will help to ease any pain and discomfort that you feel for them. You'll also naturally feel better within yourself.

You can get a massage from a local parlour or work on the affected areas yourself. This is great for those who have veins on their face and leg; areas that they can reach themselves.

Boost Your Antioxidants and Spice

Antioxidants have already been mentioned for their benefits of getting rid of spider veins on the face. They can also help to get rid of spider veins in the legs and other parts of the body. One of the biggest benefits of antioxidants is that they boost the immune system and can help improve the circulation of the blood.

You'll also benefit in many other healthy ways. Antioxidants can help to fight against cancer and protect the sun against skin damage. The sun rays can lead to the spider veins showing more clearly, so what better way to stop them than by improving the body's protection against the rays?

Stop Drinking and Smoking

Well, one glass of red wine a night isn't going to do you too much harm, but you need to stop drinking excessively. When it comes to smoking, avoid doing it all together and quit right now if you already smoke.

Both of these do your heart and veins no favours at all. Alcohol in excessive amounts dilate the blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow around the body. Smoking makes it harder for the heart to work and damages the veins. You're at a higher risk of stroke and heart disease, as well as spider veins and making them worse.

While looking at healthier ways to live, try reducing your salt intake. This just dehydrates the body and makes the veins much smaller. You're putting excess pressure and increasing the risk of high blood pressure. You can't cut salt out altogether, as your body will need a small amount. The trick is to reduce the amount that your intake on a daily basis and keeping it to the recommended levels only.

Stop Wearing Heels

Heels are sexy, and many women love to wear them, but they're not doing your posture or your health overall any good. That being said, completely flat shoes also don't help your posture and legs.

Heels between an inch and three inches are the best option. They contribute to keeping the heels slightly higher than the balls of your feet, avoiding too much strain on the front of your legs. The problem with some flat shoes is that they put the balls of your feet at a higher level than your heels.

However, heels over three inches will lead to the positioning being too high. More strain is put on the back, and the legs are forced into a position that is completely unnatural. You're also at a higher risk of falling and injury, which could see you struggling to walk for a prolonged period of time.

Think about the type of shoes that are comfortable and put you in a natural position. Heels will damage your posture when wearing for prolonged periods of time.

That doesn't mean you have to get rid of all those stilettos forever. Just switch them for more sensible options for everyday use and save them for special occasions.

Protect Your Skin from Skin Damage

We've already noted that skin damage is one of the most common reasons for spider veins to form. It's time to protect your skin as much as possible. You can't cut out your exposure to the sun completely, and this isn't even that good for you. Your skin needs the vitamin D that the sun offers, but 15 minutes is enough.

If you're going to be out in the sun for any longer, make sure you protect your skin from any potential damage. Using sunscreen is the best way to do this, and you can make your own natural options. Many of the oils you can buy in the store have a natural SPF, which may help you get sun-kissed skin and protection at the same time.

Increasing the amount of antioxidants you get will also help, and you can do that by boosting the amount of green tea, blueberries, and raspberries you get on a daily basis.

It's time to do everything you can to get rid of your spider veins. Focusing on a healthier lifestyle, reducing your weight, and getting more activity will see this cosmetic issue disappear. There are all of the natural methods mentioned above, such as ginger and witch hazel, which will also help to boost your efforts.

Remember that these natural remedies won't only help get rid of spider veins, these would also have great overall effects on your skin. These can even help nourish your skin and maintain its glow even after you the spider veins are gone.