How To Treat Spider Veins

From topical solutions to lifestyle tweaks, these are our tips for tackling thread and spider veins.

Not to be confused with varicose veins (opens in new tab), which tend to be thicker and protrude out of legs, spider veins are small, thin, blue or red blood vessels that appear underneath the skin.

While Sclerotherapy and laser treatment have been shown to help diminish those spindly blighters, there are also a number of rituals and products you can harness in your bathroom. From clever creams to body makeup designed to reduce their appearance, we’ve rounded up our edit of the best beauty products that can aid you in tackling spider veins.

But, before you click through, it’s important to know what causes spider veins, (also known as thread veins) and the lifestyle tweaks you can make in a bid to alleviate the patchwork of threads.

Experts don’t know exactly why some people develop spider veins while others don’t, but they do know that the tendency to have them is hereditary. Outside of genetics, they can also be caused by increased pressure in the legs and veins, putting those who do a lot of standing or sitting still at higher risk of getting them.

It makes sense then that one way of easing spider veins is by lessening the pressure in your legs, by taking regular walks and avoiding standing or sitting for long periods. Exercises like running and swimming are also useful in keeping the blood flowing, as is elevating feet so that your legs are higher than your heart.

Combine these simple tweaks with our pick of leg-enhancing products and a pretty, summery skirt for those days when the weather is being kind.

Keep clicking for our edit of products that target thread veins...

Remescar Spider Veins, £29.95

This triple-pronged cream (opens in new tab) targets spider veins by first creating an occlusive film over skin, which inhibits vascular damage and the formation of new blood vessels. In doing this, it can improve microcirculation and reduce vein redness, all while lending skin a pretty sheen that detracts from the appearance of threads. Clever stuff.  

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup, £13.99

Like nude tights in a tube, Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup veils over veins imperceptibly by combining full coverage with a hardy, water-resistant formula. A pleasure to apply, it rubs in quickly and leave skin velvety-smooth. It?s also great for camouflaging bruises and lending a little warmth to limbs.

Skin Doctors Vein Away Plus, £21.49

Vein Away Plus (opens in new tab) plies limbs with a blend of cell strengthening, soothing actives that improve blood circulation to the legs and help to repair your spider veins. A dose of vitamin A also ensures that those pins are well protected, in turn eschewing one big risk in the development of threads ? sun damage.

Xen Tan Flawless Logic, £22.99

A sheer, light reflective tan can help detract from the appearance of spider veins, breathing life into skin that looks sun-parched, languid and a little bit blue in tone. Flawless Logic (opens in new tab) is our solution ? a warm, flattering glow you apply like a deodorant stick to take the edge off pasty legs with minimal fuss. Swipe and blend is the mantra here.

Susanne Kaufman Leg & Vein Spray Cooling, £22

Take the pressure off your legs with a kiss of cooling menthol in this Leg & Vein Spray (opens in new tab), which invigorates fatigued calves and feet in a matter of spritzes. A dose of horse chestnut extract tackles sluggish blood flow, boosts circulation and strengthens capillaries, which can help to reduce the appearance of thread veins.