How to Cover Up Vericose Veins

"Varicose veins" is an expression typically used to refer to engorged veins in the legs. Veins have valves that normally prevent blood from flowing backward. If the valves cease to function properly, blood flows backward, causing the veins to become engorged, especially when under pressure. Varicose veins are often painful and may be unsightly, but products are now available to help hide them.

Instructions

1. Visit a make-up store. A large department store with a range of cosmetic companies will offer the best choice.

2. Locate the body concealers. These are usually located with body moisturizers, and may be called "body cover up" or a similar name.

3. Test different consistencies to see which you prefer. Cream concealers usually give the best coverage, but gels are easier to apply and lotions usually have secondary functions, such as moisturizing. Choose your favorite type.

4. Test different shades of concealers against your skin tone. Choose the color that blends into your skin the easiest and is the closest match to your skin color.

5. Clean your skin and remove any hair.

6. Dry skin thoroughly, and apply concealer in smooth motions down the leg.

7. Blend the concealer at your knee and ankle to ensure you cannot see it.

Tips & Warnings

• Standard facial concealers are usually the wrong consistency to hide varicose veins, and will not provide effective cover.

• Endovenous laser treatment of varicose veins is a procedure involving a "fine laser which is passed inside your varicose vein," according to the website BUPA. "The laser heats the inside of your vein causing damage to the vein wall. This causes the vein to close."

• The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Although it may cause some bruising, recovery times are usually very fast.

References

• BUPA Varicose Veins Fact Sheet
• "The Best of Everything After 50"; Barbara Grufferman; 2010.
• BBC Varicose Veins Information Page