In Sunny So Cal, we don’t have to think much about conditions like SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Here, the sun shines pretty much all year long. However, there are generally only a handful of months during which the weather heats up to such a degree that we want to be outside, on the coast, feeling the coastal breeze on our face. We are told that outdoor time is good for us on one hand. On the other, too much time in the sun can be bad for our skin. Too much sun can also be bad for our veins.
Knowledge is Power
We would never suggest that sunlight is completely detrimental. We need a good balance of sunshine in our lives to be healthy. The greatest value from the UV exposure we get in sunlight, though, comes when we are mindful of our habits.
Know How the Sun Affects Your Veins
Spider veins and varicose veins occur when the circulation of blood through these vessels slows. This happens because the valves in certain vessels lose resiliency over time and they no longer push blood upward as needed. The subsequent fluid-pooling that occurs weakens the veins further and causes them to swell. UV exposure has no bearing on the initial development of swollen varicose veins. It does, however, affect them in a way that may exacerbate their symptoms.
Spider veins are a different story than varicose veins when it comes to sun exposure. The tiny, visible, twisted veins the lie just beneath the surface typically do not ache and cause other symptoms. They are visible, and that is what makes them a frustrating problem. Since studies have suggested that sun exposure is a factor in the development of spider veins, there is value in making sure you slather on the sunscreen before heading out to Malibu or another local coastline.
Adequate sun protection is necessary to inhibit the unnecessary breakdown of collagen. The body is naturally going to slow its production of this vital protein at some point. When unprotected sun exposure is the norm, the deterioration of collagen occurs even more quickly. Depleted collagen leads to weakness in superficial veins, which leads to their visibility. Wearing sunscreen is great for your veins, and it’s also good for your aging skin (and your skin is aging no matter how old you are).
LA Vein Center offers proven solutions for varicose veins and spider veins. To learn more, call 818-325-0400.