Weight gain is a risk factor for spider veins. Because of this, you might wonder if spider veins will go away naturally if you lose weight.
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Spider veins will not go away with weight loss; in other words, losing weight will not make your spider veins disappear.
However, you don’t need to lose hope if you’re trying to get rid of your spider veins. There are numerous ways to both stop further spider veins from developing, and get rid of the spider veins you already have.
We’re vein professionals in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, and in this piece, we’re going to detail why spider veins occur, how you can stop their spread, and finally, how you can get rid of your spider veins completely.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are narrow veins with a spider web-like pattern — hence the name “spider veins.” They are generally red or blue in color and appear on the surface of the skin, most commonly on the legs.
Spider veins occur when vein valves weaken. This in turn leads to blood backing up in the veins, causing them to grow in size. Sometimes, this will cause them to become visible under the skin, creating the phenomena we commonly think of as spider veins.
Spider veins are mostly harmless. While it is possible that more serious health problems may develop as a result of spider veins, the majority of people with spider veins only report minor discomfort as a side effect. That said, many also report feeling self-conscious about their spider veins, which can take a negative toll on one’s psyche.
There are many causes of spider veins. While the focus of this article involves weight gain — a definite cause of spider vein development — spider veins may also develop owing to pregnancy, age, genetics, inactivity, or a host of other factors.
Will weight loss stop spider veins from growing?
As we mentioned before, weight loss will not eliminate the spider veins you already have. However, losing some extra pounds can absolutely help prevent further spider veins from developing.
This is because added weight puts extra stress on your veins. When you stop adding weight, or begin losing weight, the stress on your veins reduces. Reduced stress means that you will be at a lower risk of developing spider veins, though other factors like age and inactivity can also lead to spider vein development.
Still, as excess weight has numerous other negative health impacts, losing weight is a great first step in taking control of your spider veins.
How do I stop spider veins from developing?
Besides weight loss, there are several other steps you can take to prevent spider vein development.
First, you can incorporate more exercise into your life. We’ve compiled a list of easy exercises you can do at home to get blood flowing in your legs, which has been shown to help reduce the risk of spider vein development.
Additionally, you can reduce stress factors. We know this is much easier said than done, but seeing as stress can be a major cause of negative health consequences, reducing stress is a fantastic step in preventing spider veins.
Finally, you can get a pair of well-fitted compression stockings. Used correctly, compression stockings can improve blood flow in the legs. Better blood flow means a lowered risk of spider veins.
How do I get rid of my spider veins?
If you already have spider veins, there’s only one solution: vein treatment.
In our Milwaukee, Wisconsin clinic, we’ve heard every concern under the sun about vein treatment. Will it be painful? How long will the recovery time be?
Questions like these tend to be what prevents people from seeking vein treatment. However, we are happy to share that getting your spider veins treated today is easier, and less painful, than it’s ever been before.
For most patients, vein treatment is a quick process that completely eliminates the appearance of selected spider veins. Additionally, the procedure is low-pain, and a majority of patients are able to return to work or their normal everyday lives on the very same day.
If you’re curious about vein treatment, or just have questions about the process, get in touch with us via our contact page. We will be more than happy to find a solution that works best for you.