Odds are you are spending more time outdoors lately enjoying a beautiful East Tennessee Summer. However, for anyone suffering from spider veins this can be a dreadful time of year. The thought of shedding the winter wardrobe for a bathing suit or shorts and putting your legs on display can be enough to keep some people indoors. Many who suffer from spider veins don’t realize that exposure to sun after a vein treatment, can make matters worse.
It is fairly common knowledge that UV rays from the sun can be damaging to your skin and are linked to skin cancer, premature aging, and other health conditions. But what about your veins?
As your legs are healing after a varicose vein treatment, you should avoid sun exposure for at least 6 to 8 weeks. The sun can weaken the top layer of the skin, zapping its moisture and diminishing elasticity. The last time you had sunburn you probably noticed the tightness of your skin in the area and the discomfort when you had to move that portion of your body. Overexposure to the sun reduces your skin’s ability to move freely, also causing the veins on the skin’s surface to constrict preventing normal blood flow. After treatment the veins near the surface of the skin are especially vulnerable to damage from the sun.
Sunscreen should be a part of your daily routine no matter the season, but especially after a varicose vein treatment. Using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and focusing on coverage for not just the nose, face, but your legs should be your first line of defense against the sun. Be sure to reapply sunscreen regularly if you are swimming, sweating or towel drying. Rather than baking in the sun, rent an umbrella or set up a tent so you can enjoy the views from a shady spot.
Spider veins are not dangerous, but especially after treatment, take steps to reduce your chance of problems and recurrence starting with protecting yourself from the sun.
If you have spider veins and are curious about your options for treatment, visit our Premier Vein Clinic’s website to learn more. Or schedule a consult by calling (865) 588-8229 or online to see if you are a candidate for treatment.
Vein treatment has never been easier – especially under the expert care of Premier Vein Clinics of Knoxville. We can restore healthy, great-looking legs in about an hour. Why wait? Request an appointment with one of our Premier Vein Clinics specialists today!