The picture-perfect summer selfies are now taking up spaces in your social media threads.
The post-glow up bikinis challenge invites you to post your vibrant photos. However, you’ve noticed that you have varicose veins in your legs.
Perhaps, in the precise moment of taking a photo, you think how are you going to hide the varicose veins?
This question poses both health and cosmetic complexities among women.
The formation of varicose veins is one of the stages in the development of a venous disease that appears to be twisted and swollen veins in the legs. Dermatologists explain that varicose veins amount to the damaged valves in the veins prevent blood from flowing normally.
In the research paper entitled “Varicose Vein,” the researcher concludes that women are more susceptible to varicose veins due to pregnancy, older age, obesity, and hormone-related issues.
The statistics also show that approximately 22 million women, between ages 40 and 80 years old, suffer from the occurrence of varicose veins. Hence, according to the American College of Phlebology, up to 50 percent of American women are affected by the symptoms and conditions caused by varicose veins.
Are women more susceptible to varicose veins?
Yes. Women are more susceptible to varicose veins than men. To determine the rationale behind the causes of its susceptibility, here are the following risk factors:
Pregnancy
American Pregnancy Association suggests that throughout pregnancy, you produce more blood than usual to help your baby grow. In other words, the rate in which blood flows from your legs decreases as your blood volume increases.
As a result, the increased blood flow pressures your leg veins, causing the formation of varicose veins.
Your uterus partially blocks the veins, which prevents the flow of the blood to recourse back into the heart as your baby.
Frequently wearing higher heels
Dermatologists reveal that high heels impede the leg muscles in pumping the flow of the blood back to the heart. Decreased muscle action allows a lesser chance for a normal blood flow.
In a study published by the Society for Vascular Surgery, researchers conclude that the frequent use of high heels tends to provoke venous hypertension in the lower limbs, and may represent a causal factor of venous disease symptoms.
Increased Progesterone
Healthline explains that progesterone facilitates glandular development for the body during pregnancy and the development of new blood vessels. Both males and females have possessed progesterone.
Progesterone is a natural hormone in humans that helps the relaxation in the walls of blood vessels, which results in the development of varicose or spider veins.
While both males and females have progesterone, researchers suggest that women possessed higher progesterone than men. Due to this factor, the formation of varicose veins can manifest in women during pregnancy and hormonal cycles.
Moving forward, now that you know the reasons why women are more susceptible to varicose veins than men, how will you disguise varicose veins?
Five Simple Tricks to Disguise Varicose Veins
Dr. Nima Azarbehi, a Scottsdale Varicose Vein Doctor states, “Disguising varicose veins can be challenging if they are of a larger caliber. Things to try include; topically covering with tanning lotions, moisturizers, aloe Vera massaged into the areas of concern, and leg coverings of choice.
#1 Apply Aloe Vera Gel
The gel of aloe vera is one of the best ways to reduce the appearance of varicose veins. As you cut the stalk of an aloe vera plant, you can directly apply the aloe to the area where the varicose veins appeared.
To have an effective treatment for your varicose veins, mix the aloe, apple cider vinegar, and carrots. You need to chop the carrots into large pieces and blend them until they’re smooth. Afterward, mix the blended carrots with an equal amount of aloe vera. Then, you need to gradually add the apple cider vinegar until it results in a thick paste. Make sure that the paste shouldn’t be too thin or watery.
You need to apply the paste directly to the affected area by a circulation motion, starting from your ankles up towards your thighs. Leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
#2 Apply Waterproof Concealer and Body Foundation
Just like concealing to your facial blemishes, applying concealer is one of the ways to disguise varicose veins in your legs.
There are different types of concealers available in most cosmetic stores. However, the appropriate concealer that you should buy is a waterproof concealer cream.
Waterproof concealers give a natural-looking facade, blend into your skin tone, hide blemishes, and minimize scars into your legs for a matte, radiant finish.
Apply the waterproof concealer directly to the affected area using a feather brush to blend properly into your skin. You may also use your fingers to blend.
To make it a softer look, apply body foundation over the concealer to the rest of your legs to give you a more even, alluring skin tone. Make sure that the concealer cream and the foundation match your skin tone.
#3 Wear Compression Stockings
Wearing compression stockings will help you reduce the appearance of varicose veins, most especially during the day at work.
Compression stockings relieve not only the pain caused by varicose veins, but also, improve the blood circulation in your legs. They are available in the market. However, always make sure to match the color of the stockings with your skin tone.
Compression stockings are perfect for multiple styles and outfits.
#4 Undergo a Laser Therapy or Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is best for the treatment of small varicose veins.
According to Mayo Clinic, during sclerotherapy, a doctor injects the solution directly into the vein, causing the vein to scar and forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.
On the other hand, Laser Therapy uses the heat from the lasers to destroy tiny veins in your legs. The heat closes off the veins, creating a scar tissue. For those who fear injections, laser therapy is a convenient option for varicose veins removal.
For a fast and quality sclerotherapy, Elite Vein Clinic offers the best vein treatment on your varicose veins at an affordable and economic fee.
#5 Change of Lifestyle
Excessive eating of junk and fatty foods? Comfortable with a sedentary lifestyle? Frequent wearing of high heels?
If these questions relate to your regular lifestyle, it’s now to have a change of heart.
The formation of varicose veins in your legs indicates that you need to improve the blood circulation and the health of blood veins in your legs.
You need to have a proper diet, exercise, maintain hydration, and an active lifestyle to avoid the potential formation of varicose veins in your legs.
Key Takeaways
The ways to disguise a varicose veins are a challenge to both males and females, particularly for women who are susceptible to the formation of such venous disease caused by pregnancy, frequent wearing of high heels, and increased progesterone in female anatomy.
While confidence is at stake to wear bikinis and shorts in today’s summer, you should have nothing to worry about. Hence, these five simple tricks help you disguise varicose veins:
- Apply Aloe Vera Gel;
- Apply Waterproof Concealer and Body Foundation;
- Wear Compression Stockings;
- Undergo a Laser Therapy or Sclerotherapy; and
- Change of Lifestyle.
Don’t let varicose veins cover your confidence. Let your confidence overcome your varicose veins.
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