As we brace for winter’s chill, many are steeling themselves for the inevitable sniffles and fevers that come with cold and flu season. But beyond the usual respiratory discomforts, there’s a skin health threat lurking, warned by skincare professionals.
One skincare expert has clanged the alarm bell over an alarming, yet overlooked hazard of common colds on your face.
It turns out, the actions you take while laid low with a bug could lead to “unsightly” spider veins or burst capillaries that adorn your face.
These imperfections sometimes stick around permanently, turning sneezes and nose-blowing into acts of cosmetic vandalism.
Issuing a stark caution, Helen Burndred, an advanced nurse practitioner at Veincentre, declared: “Every time we sneeze or blow our nose vigorously, we’re placing pressure on our facial blood vessels. Over time, this can cause tiny capillaries beneath the skin to burst, resulting in spider veins that some people consider unsightly.”
To stave off these unwelcome facial blemishes, the nurse advises people who are ill everywhere to make some simple switches.
She champions the use of “ultra-soft, lotion-infused tissues” to keep the savage friction at bay when blowing your nose.
Next up, the health expert has cautioned people against “aggressively” blowing their nose, even if it’s with a soft tissue. They claim it strains facial blood vessels and could create enough pressure to damage or burst your face’s capillaries.
Hydration and moisturising your skin can strengthen these capillaries’ defense against such harm. Lastly, the professional advises using a humidifier and warm compresses to keep the skin from drying and enhancing blood circulation for easing vein pressure.
If you do end up with spider veins in your face, there’s still hope. Helen advised: “Once you have spider veins, it’s possible to treat them, but it’s much easier to take steps to prevent them from appearing in the first place.”
Places like Veincentre are known for recommending thermocoagulation as the best treatment for facial veins.