Thread veins are also referred to as spider veins or varicose veins and they are dilated veins within the body that can show up as red, purple, or blue lines on the surface of the skin. Thread veins can even appear on the face — the most exposed section of skin on your body. Due to their dramatic appearance, they can often leave individuals feeling self-conscious about their condition.
There are various ways to minimise the appearance of thread veins on the face through makeup or medical treatments.
Covering Up Thread Veins With Makeup
If you’re looking for a natural way to cover up those veins on your face, here is a morning routine for you.
Start With a Clean Face
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. If you’re planning on wearing makeup later in the day, you want to start with a clean and fresh base.
Use your hands and avoid using tools like spin brushes. These can cause micro tears and irritation in the skin, which can make the appearance of the thread veins on the skin even more pronounced.
After washing your face, dry your skin and prep it with a lightweight moisturiser.
Exfoliate every other day to promote new skin cell turnover so your skin can appear as if it’s glowing, even if you do have a few thread veins on your face. If you choose to exfoliate, use a chemical exfoliate like AHA or BHA, instead of the gritty scrubs.
Protect Your Skin Against UV Rays
Thread and spider veins can be exacerbated by spending an excessive amount of time in the sun. It’s crucial that you use a sunscreen with adequate SPF underneath your makeup. Dab enough to cover your face completely and allow it to soak into the skin. Wait five minutes before following up with the next step.
This assumes you are spending the day outdoors.
Prime Your Skin
Prime your face so that the makeup covers up the veins on your face.
A face primer also helps create a smooth canvas, so the makeup applies easier and flawlessly.
Beauty Tools
You can use a damp beauty sponge or a brush to apply the makeup depending on the kind of effect you want to achieve. If your skin is textured, opt for a brush to give you more of an airbrushed look. If you need more coverage, use a damp sponge to stamp the makeup onto the skin.
Avoid using your fingers for this step, as it’s not the most hygienic choice. You’ll also risk applying the makeup unevenly.
Colour Correct
Next, cover up the thread veins with a coloured concealer. Look at the veins on your face. If they are reddish in appearance, select a green-coloured concealer to neutralise your skin tone. If they look blue, use an orange coloured concealer instead.
Since these colours are on the opposite side of each other on the colour wheel, these products should even out your skin tone seamlessly and cover even the most prominent veins.
This process is also excellent for covering up acne marks and rosacea.
Use a small amount and dab the product only in the places where you need it. Layering too many coats can cause the makeup to look caked and unnatural. Blend it into your skin and follow through with a medium to full coverage foundation.
Liquid Foundation
There are various forms of foundation, so find one that works best for you, whether it’s a mineral, liquid, or creme foundation. You should pick one that feels the most comfortable to wear for your skin type. Liquid tends to be best for combination skin types. Powder is best when you have oily skin and want a build-able coverage.
Creme foundations tend to work best for drier skin types, as they offer a bit of hydration throughout the day. Creme foundation also tends to have the best coverage overall due to its thick viscosity.
If you’re new to makeup, try several to test what works best when trying to cover those veins.
Next, you want to think about your best shade. Find a foundation that matches your skin’s undertone. For example, figure out whether you are warm, cool, or neutral. Check your wrist. If the blood underneath appears bluer, you are cool-toned. If it appears green, you are warm-toned.
You can test out several shades at a makeup counter before making the commitment. Testing out a foundation will also allow you to check whether or not the product oxidises and turns darker on your skin throughout the day.
Use the skin on your neck for reference as this will often give you the best match.
Concealer
If those veins are still shining through, use a concealer that’s closer to your skin’s colour to erase any trace of the thread veins. Concealers are typically thicker than foundation, so only use a small amount at a time. Blend this product using the warmth from your fingers.
Powder to Finish
Finally, go ahead and dust a layer of fine setting powder onto the face to set the makeup. This will also prevent the makeup from getting oily throughout the day.
Use a translucent powder. If you opt for one with coverage, it may feel too heavy on your skin and affect how the foundation matches your skin.
Can You Prevent Thread Veins?
Apart from pregnancy which can cause thread veins, typical causes relate to lifestyle choices which can significantly reduce venous insufficiency.
- Living a healthy lifestyle including exercise and a healthy diet.
- Using lighter weight compression stockings. This is especially important if the individual is experiencing aches in the legs. Varicose veins are a common result when numerous thread veins are present. The aching can be relieved by both compression stockings and compression tights.
- Avoiding sudden temperature changes like taking a hot bath and eliminating spicy foods.
- Making an appointment with a dermatologist to determine if thread veins are present and the best treatment. The aftercare instructions must be followed carefully to ensure the best possible results from the treatment.
Treatment for Thread Veins?
Microsclerotherapy Treatment
The traditional treatment for thread veins is microsclerotherapy. This treatment involves injecting the vein with a chemical that causes the vein walls to stick together. This blocks blood flow and stimulates the body to redirect the blood to deeper veins and reabsorb the broken vein. Since the process involves multiple small needle injections, there is some discomfort and pain during the procedure.
The recovery period for this treatment can be extensive. The process results in bruising that clears away naturally within weeks or months. The area may be sensitive during this time. The severity of bruising varies from person to person depending on their health and the number and size of veins treated. Very large veins may result in deeper bruising that will fade to a dark brown discolouration. The discolouration may take up to one year to fade completely. Medical compression stockings are often worn to improve bruise recovery and shorten the time.
While microsclerotherapy is effective, it may require additional treatments to remove all veins. Generally, a single treatment will remove 60-70 per cent of the veins. A patient must then wait for bruising to fade before going for an additional treatment.
Veinwave Treatment
This treatment option combines some elements of microsclerotherapy and laser therapy. As in microsclerotherapy, a needle is used to apply a chemical substance to the vein. In this case, that chemical heats the vein and causes the blood to coagulate similar to that of laser therapy. It is useful in treating smaller veins that may not be treatable with sclerotherapy.
This treatment also has minimal to no downtime or recovery needed. Veins may disappear within moments of the treatment, making it faster than either of the other methods. There is no bruising and only minimal discomfort. Most patients will not need to have any anaesthetic or painkillers during or after treatment.
Retinoid in Skincare
There are certain skincare products out there that can help you achieve a clearer and smoother face. Retinoids can be used to minimise the appearance of fine lines, scars, and even varicose veins! However this can also make your skin drier and more sensitive to light. Speak to a dermatologist before starting a retinoid treatment.
Keep in mind that retinoids can take months to show visible results.
Natural Remedies
If you wish to try a more natural route for minimal spider veins, try adding these into your daily skincare routine.
- Aloe vera has been known to moisturise the skin without being overly greasy. Improving your skin’s natural moisture barrier is one way you can diminish the look of red and pronounced spider veins. Aloe vera also absorbs into the skin quickly, so you can apply concealer and foundation immediately while getting ready in the morning.
- Witch hazel works as an astringent which can also even out your skin tone for clearer skin.
- Vitamin C works as a brightening agent, which can also transform your skin if it’s covered in red and blue veins.
- Apple cider vinegar also helps tone the skin. Make sure to dilute this substance in water as it’s quite potent on its own and can cause severe burns on the skin.
Light Therapy
Like laser therapy, light therapy utilises high powder lights to deliver incredible results throughout various sessions. This treatment is referred to as IPL or intense pulsed light therapy. It works by damaging the vein walls through heat so they eventually collapse and disappear.
Why Do People Get Thread Veins?
There are several reasons that people develop these spider veins — they can be attributed to ageing, or alternatively, they can appear when your blood pressure rises within the vein wall. This process causes the vein to expand and pop up on the surface of the skin, creating a visible mark.
They can also be caused by obesity, hormonal changes in the body, and standing still for too long.
Do Thread Veins Hurt?
Thread veins or spider veins on the face are often a cosmetic issue.
If the skin feels sensitive and painful in these areas, find a medical professional who can help diagnose and treat the issue.
There are several ways you can make them less pronounced. Whether you wish to cover up with makeup or use medical procedures like veinwave — know that you have options for feeling more comfortable in the skin you’re in.
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