Spider Vein Creams: What you Need to Know

Spider veins can be the bane of many people’s lives. While not dangerous or painful, many people are bothered by their appearance. 

They appear as a network of thin, brightly coloured, damaged veins that are visible through the skin. Clustered together, these ‘thread veins’ can sometimes look like a small, red or purple spider web, which is why they’re also known as ‘spider veins’.

As they can be an annoyance, it’s not surprising that many people look for options to have them removed. But having them taken out might seem like a drastic step for a problem that isn’t actually causing physical pain. Surely there must be a simpler solution. This is why some people may turn to topical creams in the hopes of treating their spider veins.

The products

There are a number of creams available that claim to treat spider veins. These usually include one of the following active ingredients:

• Vitamin K - This ingredient is used to reduce the appearance of bruising and rosacea. Creams containing vitamin K may also claim to be effective in diminishing the appearance of spider veins. However, while you may notice a small improvement, it will be temporary. This is because it is effectively working to camouflage the veins, which means that you will have to keep using it to maintain the effect.
• Horse Chestnut - This herb has long been linked to the reduction of inflammation and the strengthening of vessel walls. Horse chestnut solutions may have anti-inflammatory properties, and may temporarily disguise the appearance of spider veins.
• Butcher’s Broom - This herb has properties resembling steroids, which may reduce swelling and inflammation. Butcher’s broom is also claimed to strengthen and tone veins.
• Retinol - Retinol is made from vitamin A. It’s a common component in skin creams and is claimed to treat a number of skin conditions such as wrinkles, fine lines, large pores and acne. Some creams containing retinol also claim to treat spider veins.

There’s only one problem…

There’s one little problem with all of these creams - they don’t really work. While some of them have some effect on the surface of this skin, this will be, at best, a temporary camouflage. None of them treat the underlying problem, which is the damaged veins under the surface of the skin. 

This means that the creams will need to be constantly and repeatedly re-applied, and the damaged veins will never actually go away. If you only need to cover your spider veins for a brief period then these creams may work - but if you want them gone for good, you’ll need a different treatment.

Treatments that work

So does that mean you need to have your veins surgically removed? Absolutely not! Non-invasive procedures can remove your spider veins for good, and they’re nowhere near as serious or damaging as surgery.

Treatments such as Veinwave work by a process known as Thermocoagulation. This is a treatment that works by applying a very exact and localized amount of heat to the damaged spider vein. This collapses and blocks off the vein for good. 

Once the vein is blocked, the body naturally reabsorbs it. This is a completely non-invasive procedure, which means that it is virtually painless and doesn’t cause any unnecessary damage to the surrounding skin.

Start with a primary appointment

If creams promising a quick and easy fix for your spider veins seem too good to be true, that’s because they are. While it may be tempting to try the seemingly easy solution, it’s important to understand what these creams actually do. While they may give a temporary cover, no cream will actually cause your spider veins to disappear, either in the short or long term. 

If you are interested in pursuing a permanent solution for your spider veins, start by booking a primary appointment with one of our specialists, who can give you more information about your treatment options.