Smoking
Smoking is one of the most common risks for developing spider veins, but it’s not the only one. Smoking can contribute to several health problems and diseases that lead to the development of spider veins. Some of these health problems include heart disease and lung cancer. Smokers are also more likely to develop varicose veins than non-smokers.
This makes sense because smoking constricts the blood vessels, preventing blood from flowing freely. Without sufficient blood flow, circulation will decrease in the legs, causing toxins and waste products to build up and cause damage to the skin’s surface. This damage will eventually cause spider veins to appear on their own or contribute to existing spider vein problems.
When you smoke, especially if you have smoked regularly for years, your arteries become inflamed, which is the scientific term for red, swollen, and painful. This condition is called atherosclerosis and can lead to heart attacks if not treated. Smoking also increases your blood pressure, which strains your heart as it pumps harder to get blood through your body.
