Can You Use Essential Oils on Facial Spider Veins?
Essential oils are frequently touted as a cure for facial spider veins. But do they work?
Unlike varicose veins, which appear solely on the lower extremities, spider veins can sometimes develop on the legs and face. The two conditions are often linked together because each stem from poor circulation in the veins and are frequently seen in the same area on the legs.
Known for their distinctive web-life appearance, spider veins on the legs form mostly due to venous insufficiency, or the inability of valves in the veins to pump deoxygenated blood back to the heart. That’s the same reason varicose veins develop, although varicose veins are larger in size and protrude out from under the skin. Spider veins are thinner and flat.
When spider veins occur on the face it may also be due to broken capillaries, or dilated small blood vessels. For most people, spider veins are a cosmetic issue and don’t cause any noticeable physical symptoms. However, those who have spider veins sometimes explore natural remedies, such as essential oils, as a way to eliminate the thin red and blue lines on their legs or face. But do those potions actually work?
Should You Use Essential Oils on Facial Spider Veins?
Essential oils are made from the extracts of plants, flowers, herbs, and trees. The oil is typically massaged into the skin after it’s been diluted with a carrier oil (such as sweet almond, olive, coconut, or jojoba), or soaked in a cloth and then applied to the skin. Lavender, horse chestnut, sea pine, grape vine, and yarrow — a plant found in Asia and Europe — are among the most commonly used oils for varicose veins and spider veins. They are said to reduce pain and swelling, and to improve overall circulation.
Lavender and yarrow oil, along with tea tree, cypress, and lemongrass, have been recommended for reducing the appearance of facial spider veins. Applying the oil directly or via a hot or cold compress is the preferred method for treating spider veins on the face. Other essential oils for facial spider veins include chamomile, parsley, rose, marigold, geranium, and peppermint.
Broken blood vessels on the face often develop alongside rosacea, a condition that causes excessive redness on the face. Rosacea is treated with a topical cream containing retinoids, which can also help reduce the appearance of spider veins.
Many of these oils are also touted as remedies for common skin problems, such as dry, oily, or sensitive skin. Yet they are not a cure for facial spider veins or varicose veins. What’s more, some citrus-based essential oils could irritate skin. And like many natural remedies, essential oils are not regulated by the FDA and could cause an allergic reaction, especially if rubbed into the eyes. As with any alternative treatment, check with your doctor first before using these potions.
Spider veins, especially on the face, are oftentimes caused by exposure to the sun or harsh weather conditions. Genetics, alcohol consumption, or an underlying vein disorder play a role in spider vein formation, as well. Shielding your face and legs from the sun will lower the risk of spider veins. If you have spider veins on the legs, the thin red and blue lines can be treated with a minimally invasive outpatient surgery known as sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a safe solution is injected into the spider vein on the leg, causing it to collapse and eventually disappear.
Instead of essential oils, a vein specialist can recommend proven medical treatments for facial spider veins, such as sclerotherapy, which is also used to treat facial spider veins. Laser therapy and VeinWave are other methods for treating facial spider veins.
Treating Spider Veins and Varicose Veins on the Legs
Center for Vein Restoration only treats spider veins and varicose veins on the lower extremities. We offer a full spectrum of services, from surgical procedures to advice on at-home remedies. If you are seeking treatment for spider veins on your legs, contact us for a consultation.