Many middle-aged people, especially those who stand on their feet a lot, such as teachers and hairdressers, notice unattractive little broken veins on their legs. Spider veins are usually painless and harmless, but many people would still love to be rid of them. Various vitamins are advertised in creams or supplements as a way to fade spider veins.
Spider Veins
Spider veins, also called thread veins, can show up anywhere on your body. The walls of tiny, over-stretched capillaries rupture and then blood seeps out forming star-like marks beneath the skin. Genetics, obesity, sun damage, inactivity and heavy alcohol use may all increase your risk of developing spider veins.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is the name for a cohort of fat-soluble, antioxidant-rich compounds. Antioxidants fend off free radicals, molecules that threaten the well-being of cells. The body produces free radicals and also absorbs them from environmental factors such as air pollution, cigarette smoke and the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin E is 15 mg for adults. Some of the best sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils, seeds and nuts. Wheat germ oil is especially high in vitamin E with 20 mg per tablespoon. Broccoli, spinach and kiwis contain a significant amount of the vitamin. You also can get vitamin E from eating fortified cereals.
Vitamin E and Spider Veins
Antioxidants may be helpful in preventing and repairing damaged veins. Getting enough vitamin E protects your skin and cell membranes and strengthens your capillaries, decreasing your risk of developing spider veins. Some over-the-counter creams for treating spider veins include vitamin E for topical use. But the Georgia Vein Center suggests adding more nuts and green vegetables to your diet to satisfy your body’s need for vitamin E. Other vitamins that are recommended for healthy veins are C and K.
Other Ways to Prevent Spider Veins
Extreme temperatures lead to flushed skin, possibly triggering spider veins. Wash your face with water that is neither hot nor cold. Skin brushing, a practice where you use a dry brush on your cellulite-prone areas, increases the chance of thread veins. If you must skin brush, do it when your skin is dry rather than wet. Compression stockings also can help by boosting blood flow toward the heart rather than having it pool in your legs. If you stand on your feet all day for work, support stockings might keep you safer from spider veins.
