Having a side gig that requires me to be on my feet for at least eight grueling hours doesn't come without unglamorous moments; shoveling hot pizza in my mouth over a trash bin before my party of eight gets their drinks is not my ideal way to spend a Saturday night. I keep my feet in sneakers constantly, because even if they don't require one of my fave foot bathes, I constantly fear that all that standing around before the dinner rush will bring on some unwanted marks on my smooth legs, and then I'll have to worry about how to treat spider veins.
Varicose veins, AKA spider veins are swollen, bent veins that form together in a cluster-like pattern often found on our legs because the blood that normally flows easily to are heart gets backed up. Typically, these veins are more embarrassing than life-threatening. A common misconception of spider veins is that they only happen with the aging process, weight gain, or pregnancy — and of course, having a gig that keeps you on your feet for too long. Spider veins can be caused by standing in one place for too long, but moving around and getting exercise is a sure way to help keep those pesky marks at bay. Smoking cigs, high-estrogen birth control, and any habit that affects our blood pressure can increase the likelihood of getting plagued with spider veins. If you are worried about being on your feet all day? Sitting for too long with a sugary diet will only make you more prone to varicose veins.
Of course, spider veins are a pretty regular occurrence in women. The best news is that they can be treated easily with natural remedies. Honestly, when I realized that nature was no stranger to treating spider veins, I showed up to my serving job with a low-heeled boot. Of course, since heels turn me into a clumsy monster, I had to quickly run home and put on Keds. Still, the idea that I could naturally prevent spider veins AND treat them? Well, let's just say I was doing a celebratory shimmy shake.
Getting plenty of exercise and ditching unhealthy habits are going to be your beauty life saver for spider veins, but if you're looking to speed up the process, try one of these super effective recipes below.
1. Lemongrass, Rosemary, and Grape Seed Oil
Yes, this smells as good as it sounds, and it is a super effective treatment to have your legs smooth and even-toned. One of rosemary's health benefits is increasing blood circulation and lemongrass is also an effective treatment for vericose veins and cellulite. Including both these herbs in your diet will be an added bonus to this topical treatment. Add just a few drops of each essential oil to Grape Seed Oil, which has a crap-ton of antioxidants that will increase blood flow, and smooth on the areas of concern twice daily.
2. Blueberry, Lavender, and Jojoba Oil
While we're on the subject of antioxidants, blueberries have been a life-long rival of green tea with its high antioxidant properties. Muddle up some blueberries with a few drops of lavender oil, which is another essential oil that increases blood flow. Next, add in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar — one of the most popular natural treatments of spider veins — and a tablespoon of jojoba oil for some moisturizing properties. If you are making a batch for future use, you'll definitely want to store this in the fridge so your concoction doesn't spoil.
3. Coffee, Vitamin E, and Coconut Oil
Coffee is the jam at reducing inflammation, topical treatments containing caffeine have shown to be super effective in reducing fine-lines, acne, and unwanted puffiness under the eyes. Vitamin E is an helpful ingredient to include to your mixture because it is one of the best ways to heal damaged skin and scar tissue. This is also a great preventative leg mask that I often indulge in, just in case, those damaging habits in my twenties finally caught up with me. Use fresh coffee grinds, just a few drops of vitamin E, and add in enough extra virgin coconut oil to get a nice paste. Exfoliate the infected area twice daily.
