What Causes Spider Veins?

Sun Damage

Patients who have sun damage are at an increased risk of experiencing spider veins on the face. The face is typically exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun for longer and more frequent periods than other parts of the body, and patients may not apply sunscreen to the face regularly. To prevent vein issues from sun damage, doctors recommend patients apply sunscreen whenever they are outside. Sunscreen should be applied year-round, and patients still need to wear it on cloudy days. While many cosmetics have SPF (sun protection factor) 15, dermatologists generally recommend patients choose products with at least SPF 30 for maximum protection. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied if the patient has been sweating or swimming. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can help to deflect the sun's rays, and staying inside during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. could prevent exposure to the strongest ultraviolet rays. Since sun damage can raise the risk of skin cancer, patients should consider having a yearly skin examination performed by a dermatologist. Dermatologists can also provide advice about ways to reduce the appearance of spider veins.

Learn more about what may cause spider veins now.