So, can younger people have spider veins? Spider veins may be more common in older adults, but that doesn’t mean they are exclusive to that group. Several factors may cause a younger person to develop spider veins, even in their teens. Ultimately, it comes down to genetics, life changes, and lifestyle factors.
What Causes Spider Veins?
Spider veins are caused by damaged blood vessels. Essentially, these blood vessels cannot efficiently pump blood back towards the heart. The excess blood pools in these areas. When this pooling occurs close to the skin’s surface, it creates a visible mark known as a spider vein.
Can Younger People Have Spider Veins?
These are the most common reasons that may cause you to get vein treatment in Beverly Hills even when you feel too young for spider veins.
Sun Damage
All skin can be hurt by ultraviolet radiation, but people with fair complexions tend to see more obvious signs of sun damage when they don’t take precautions.
Spider veins can actually crop up on areas where the skin is thin and sensitive, such as your face in response to sun damage.
Hormonal Changes
Our hormones are capable of causing a number of changes in our bodies. Some of the changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can directly affect the cardiovascular system, making you more prone to spider veins.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, total blood volume increases by 40% on average. In some people, total blood volume can increase by as much as 100%. This massive increase puts increased pressure on your veins, increasing the likelihood that you will develop spider veins.
Certain Medications
There are medications, including the birth control pill, that cause changes in the cardiovascular system. These changes can increase stress on the veins, making spider veins a more common phenomena, especially if you have other risk factors.
Genetics
While there are plenty of risk factors that you can control, genetics is not one of them. If your parents are prone to spider veins and developed them in response to stressors like pregnancy or significant weight gain, you may also develop them more easily.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Sitting in one place too long isn’t healthy for your cardiovascular system. It works best when you’re changing positions at regular intervals. As a result, sitting for too long can disrupt the natural flow of blood through your body, causing blood to pool and putting excessive pressure on your veins.
If you work a job where you have to stay in the same position for long periods of time, consider taking regular, momentary breaks. You can also check your normal position against ergonomic guides to find the best answer to a less than ideal situation.
Obesity
Excessive weight can also put more stress on your veins. Under this stress, the veins can become damaged, causing spider veins. As with many of the risk factors associated with obesity, being overweight does not necessarily mean that you will develop spider veins. It just increases your risk.
Getting Rid of Spider Veins
Some of these risk factors can be avoided through mild to moderate lifestyle changes, but the truth is that some people will get spider veins regardless of how careful they are. The good news is that if you’re stuck with spider veins that you just can’t stand, then there are options that will remove them entirely.
Spider vein removal in Beverly Hills is a relatively simple procedure that will use one or more of four different methods:
- Radiofrequency vein ablation
- Varithena
- Sclerotherapy
- Microphlebectomy
A simple consultation with your specialist at the Beverly Hills Vein and Cardiovascular Institute will be enough to help determine which method is best for you.