Summertime is a favorite time of year for many because of its warmth, beautiful colors and bright light. It’s a season filled with beach trips, fishing and other sun-filled outdoor activities. But remember: it’s important to make sure when you’re out and about that you always protect your skin, as overexposure can not only cause sunburn and dry skin, but potential vein issues, as well. Here’s what to watch out for.
The Sun and Varicose Veins
The sun will not cause varicose veins by itself. However, staying outside for too long in conditions of excessive heat and allowing the sun’s radiation to affect your skin can cause pre-existing vein issues like varicose veins to worsen. The sun’s heat and ultraviolet radiation can cause venous distention, a condition in which varicose veins dilate and vein walls weaken as blood volume increases. This may also result in varicose veins hurting more. Individuals who have recently undergone a vein treatment procedure are even more at risk for vein damage from the sun. If you’ve had this type of treatment recently, it’s best to avoid contact with the sun for three to eight weeks.
The Sun and Spider Veins
While the sun does not cause varicose veins, it can bring out spider veins or make them more obvious, especially for those with fair skin. The radiation of the sun can break down collagen and weaken or break tiny blood vessels just under the skin. This loss of protection and elasticity can cause spider veins to show up much more easily, particularly on the face. The nose and cheeks tend to get more exposure to the sun than other parts of the body, so these are two common places for sun-related spider veins to appear. Some people tan in an effort to hide their spider veins, but doing so may actually cause them to get worse. It also increases the risk of developing other skin and vein problems in the future.
Protecting Skin and Veins from the Sun
Being out in the sun is wonderful and fun, so just make sure that you take the proper precautions before any prolonged sun exposure. This will help take care of and protect your skin and your veins.
Wear Sunscreen
Wear and continually reapply sunscreen (at least SPF 30) when sunbathing, swimming or doing any other outdoor activity under direct sunlight, as it will block at least 97 percent of the sun’s most harmful radiation.
Wear Protective Clothing
Cover up with garments that will fully block the sun from reaching your skin, and wear a hat and sunglasses to help prevent spider veins from showing up on your face.
Stay Hydrated!
Drinking plenty of water will also help protect your body against the sun’s heat. It will cool your body down, help your veins stay flexible and add hydrative protection to your skin.
We Can Help!
If your vein condition has gotten worse as a result of being in the sun, or if you want to learn more about how to prevent a vein condition from developing, we’re here to help. We can assess your risk for vein issues with vein screenings. We can also help you rehydrate your body and your skin with an IV Hydration therapy session, which will also give your body a refreshing boost of healing nutrients. Contact us today!