How to Reduce the Appearance of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins occur when the small valves in the veins stop working to their full efficiency, and allow blood to flow backwards and eventually the vein will become varicose.

Any vein in the body can become varicose (swollen and lumpy) but it is most common in the legs, due to the weight that they have to carry and the time many people spend standing. Women are at a much greater risk of developing veins with an average percentage of men with varicose veins at around 15%!

Varicose veins are lumpy and visible (often even through tights), and can be very uncomfortable causing aching legs and general discomfort around the area. Some people do not experience any pain or discomfort, but are embarrassed by their appearance.

They can be caused by different things, but the most common causes are pregnancy, weight gain and aging. Though very often they are hereditary.

I am one of the ones unlucky enough to have developed them due to weight gain, I am 25 years old and though they do not cause me a great deal of pain (there is some) they are unsightly and I have tried many things to help reduce their appearance.

I have had to do this because my Local hospital will not perform any kind of operation on the National Health Service (NHS) which means I would have to pay upwards of £1000 for a procedure which has a 50% chance that the veins will return within a year.

A couple of my friends who are only slightly older than me also have them and we have all shared our tips for reducing their appearance and discomfort with each other.

Fake Tan.

Sunless tanners are a good way to help reduce the appearance of varicose veins, they hide the blue colour of the veins and give the legs a smoother, more even appearance. This will not work for bad cases of varicose veins, but if your case is mild it can improve the look of them greatly.

Cocoa butter.

This is another product that helps to give the skin a more even appearance, which also makes it good for spider veins (which normally precede varicose veins) and it also helps reduce any scarring.

Vitamin E.

Vitamin E is excellent for circulation and can help to reduce the appearance and uncomfortable feeling of varicose veins.

Ibuprofen gel.

Ibuprofen gels have come along way from the green stinging gels that create that horrible smell. Many gels are clear and have no smell at all. These gels will not only reduce the look of the veins by reducing the inflammation, they will relieve any aches and pains. Do not apply more often than every four hours.

Aloe Vera.

Many people are sceptical about Aloe Vera, but I took the recommended daily allowance of Aloe Vera for 2 months and the spider veins on my legs significantly reduced and the varicose veins certainly looked better.

Massage.

When you have been stood for a while, the blood starts to pool in the legs, giving the veins an even more swollen appearance. Massaging the legs will help to improve the circulation and avoid uncomfortable swelling.

Weight loss.It's fairly simple really, the less pressure there is on the legs, the less they will swell and the better the veins will look. I recently lost 42lbs and the improvement in the appearance and feel of the veins on my legs is staggering!