Reducing the Appearance of Veins in the Legs

Enlarged veins on the legs can be unsightly and embarrassing. While many men and women have them because of increasing age, underlying medical conditions, sun exposure or hormonal changes, most people want to get rid of them or conceal them. Varicose or spider veins can appear blue or red, and some veins can appear flesh-colored. They are often enlarged, which makes them protrude up and away from the legs, and they are usually found on the thighs, calves or inside of the legs.

Things You'll Need

• Elastic support stockings
• Sunscreen
• Concealer that matches your skin tone and applicator sponge

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply sunscreen to your legs and other exposed body parts every day. Sunburns cause a backup of blood, which pools in the veins and causes them to enlarge.

• 2

  Wear elastic support stockings, which encourage healthy blood circulation throughout your legs. Doctors may also prescribe compression stockings that put pressure on the veins to encourage pooled blood to disperse.

• 3

  Exercise regularly to promote healthy blood flow and fight obesity. Even a few extra pounds require the veins to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to pooling blood and varicose veins.

• 4

  Avoid crossing your legs, especially where varicose veins are already present. Crossing your legs causes blood to back up and damages veins.

• 5

  Eat healthy foods, especially those high in fiber and low in salt. Salt causes high blood pressure, which can further damage veins, while fiber helps keep your blood circulating. Also, drink a lot of water to help flush out toxins.

• 6

  Dab concealer over the area to fade the bright blue or red veins into the skin. Carry concealer with you and reapply as necessary.

• 7

  Consult a doctor about sclerotherapy, which requires injecting liquid chemical into the vein to reduce its appearance, or talk to the doctor about surface laser treatments that send bursts of light onto the vein to make it fade and disappear over time. Doctors can also surgically treat veins.