Home » Should I Use Cosmetics to Hide My Unsightly Varicose Veins?

It is an unfortunate statistic that about half of the women in America will suffer from vein problems at sometime within their life. Usually, these vein nuisances will occur as either spider veins, or as varicose veins. Spider veins are the smaller broken capillaries which are similar to varicose veins, just in a smaller scale.

Spider veins are often found on the legs as well as the face, and are red or blue in color. These tiny broken capillaries are located close to the surface of the skin and resemble colored spider webs, hence the name. The most often cause of spider veins is aging of the individual. The veins appear because as we age, our skin begins to get thinner than it was in our younger days, which in turn reveals the existence of the underlying capillaries. These broken capillaries are in essence dilated blood vessels, which can become more prominent with heavy intake of alcohol, extended exposure to the sun and even some skin cleansers can irritate spider veins.

Varicose veins are the larger of the two and are most often found on both the backs of the calves and on the insides of the legs. These veins can vary in their colors ranging from flesh colored to blue and dark purple. One of the most unsightly things about problem veins is the fact that they always appear to look like a twisted and knotted cord which lies just beneath the skin. Since these veins tend to be swollen, they are always raised higher than the surface of the surrounding skin.

There are a few factors which put it an individual at a greater risk of developing both types of issues. One of the factors which can influence whether or not you will ever be bothered by painful veins is your weight. Overweight individuals tend to have more problems with their veins than those who are of medium build. Having a family history of leg problems also puts you at a higher risk. Pregnancy and hormonal changes can also be a factor, as well as extended sun exposure. Although many people know the top causes of vein issues very few are aware of the sun exposure connection, so it's another reason not to sun bathe.

The big problem with your blue, road mapped legs is not that they are unsightly, but rather that over a period of time they usually tend to worsen and enlarge. A severe case of can result in major health problems for some individuals. Therefore it is important that if you think you have varicose veins, you have them checked by qualified medical professional. The good news is that spider veins are usually just a cosmetic problem and pose no real health threat.

The most commonly reported symptoms reported by those who suffer from this medical condition are swelling or numbness of the legs, aching legs, discoloration of the skin and legs which grow tired easily.

So should I cover up and conceal my blue, and purple marks?

Actually it is perfectly normal to want to cover and conceal them. Everyone wants to look as good as they possibly can, so it is okay if you feel this way. It is also okay to go ahead and use a good quality concealer to help hide the unsightly signs on your legs.

There are currently several brands of high-quality concealers which can help you hide those unsightly lines. These cosmetics are specially formulated to a specific consistency which will help hide even the most stubborn problems. By choosing a good quality concealer which matches your skin tone, you will be able to look your best until it is time to get treatment for those varicose veins.

Patricia is a health focused content author today bringing you information about varicose and spider vein issues. If you suffer from varicose or spider veins, find out more about them at Varicose Vein Information. You may be pleasantly surprised with what you'll learn at http://www.squidoo.com/varicose-vein-treatment/