Why Spider Vein Treatment at Home Won’t Work

• 17 April 2024
• Dr Zil Yassine

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Many people with spider veins look into spider vein treatment at home. From creams to essential oils to rubbing coffee grounds on the skin, there’s no shortage of ideas on how to make these thread-like veins disappear without going to a vein clinic. Unfortunately, there is little to no research backing their effectiveness. 

Creams 

There are a lot of creams out there claiming to cure spider veins. Many have active ingredients that are beneficial for vein and skin health, such as: 

• Vitamin K
• Horse Chestnut 
• Butcher’s Broom 
• Retinol

These ingredients can strengthen the veins, neutralise free radicals, and minimise redness and swelling. However, while they can reduce the appearance of spider veins, the effect will unfortunately be temporary. As of yet, no cream can reverse a burst capillary or damaged vein valves. And no cream can seal veins. 

Essential oils 

Currently, there is no research showing that essential oils can treat spider veins. But, they may be able to help with some of the symptoms. Essential oils like rosemary and cypress are thought to improve circulation, while chamomile and vetiver may reduce inflammation and discomfort. 

You can use essential oils in several ways: 

• Combine a few drops with shea or cocoa butter and massage the mixture around the affected area
• Create a compress out of a face towel, warm water, and a few drops of essential oil and apply to the area
• Mix a few drops with a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, or sweet almond and pour the mixture into a warm bath.

Essential oils diluted with a carrier oil, body butter, or water are generally safe to use. However, you should always do a skin test when using a new oil or mixture to check if you’ll have an adverse reaction.

Supplements 

Supplements containing Horse Chestnut, Vitamins K, D, C, and E, and collagen may improve the health of your veins, firm the skin, and reduce inflammation. Collagen and these vitamins are a good addition to your diet if you are deficient, as they are crucial to your body’s overall health and function. 

With vitamins, it’s important to keep in mind that your body will only ever use what it needs. So if your diet is rich in them and you have no deficiencies, any extra you consume will just become waste. And unfortunately, no amount of supplements will get rid of spider vein clusters that are already there. 

At-home blue light therapy

Blue Light Therapy works on a similar principle as our Nd:YAG laser. It uses heat delivered through the skin to -allegedly- seal up small spider veins  However, unlike Nd:YAG, there currently isn’t much research into blue light therapy for spider veins, so at this stage, it is difficult to say whether it will be effective. 

Additionally, most at-home users will not have the training of medical practitioners. You likely won’t be able to identify which veins need sclerotherapy instead of light therapy, if there are underlying feeder veins contributing to the spider vein cluster, and will be at increased risk of complications. 

Saline solution

Saline solution is sometimes used as the sclerosing agent in sclerotherapy. It irritates the spider vein walls, thereby sealing the vein shut. Once the vein is sealed, your body will start absorbing it. 

However, these procedures have to be done by a trained professional. You should NEVER self-inject saline into your veins. Doing so can cause an infection and other potentially dangerous complications.

Spider vein treatment at home: the bottom line

At-home spider veins remedies like creams, supplements, and essential oils may help reduce the appearance and symptoms of spider veins. Unfortunately, there is currently no proof they get rid of spider veins. To do that, you’ll need to head to a vein clinic.

About The Author

Dr Zil Yassine

Dr Zil Yassine is a practising doctor of over 15 years and an expert in non-invasive varicose vein treatments. Zil is dedicated and passionate about vascular health and staying up-to-date on the latest technology. Providing patients with the best care is Zil’s number one priority. As the Medical Director of The Vein Institute, he’s responsible for training doctors to diagnose vein diseases and ensuring they perform treatments to the highest standard. Dr Zil proudly holds a Bachelor of Medicine (UNSW), Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Phlebology (ACP), and is a fellow of FRACGP, F(Phleb UK).