Head-to-Toe Summer Skincare

Spider Veins and Stretch Marks

It's easiest to get rid of the redness of stretch marks if you catch them early, says Yael Halaas, MD, a plastic surgeon based in New York City. But she's had great results with an in-office pulsed-dye laser that changes the look of damaged skin. A new mark can fade after just one $400 treatment; you'll need several sessions to make older marks blend in, she says. At home, try StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Existing Stretch Marks, which gradually makes marks less noticeable. For a temporary fix, apply bronzer or self-tanner. "Pale marks are less obvious when you have an all-over tan," says Cilmi.

For large, bulging veins, opt for a treatment called endovenous ablation, in which a laser is inserted into the vein, where it emits wavelengths to break down the vein walls, says Neil Sadick, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. It costs about $2,500, but is often covered by insurance. Smaller, spidery veins can benefit from foam schlerotherapy (about $300 to $800 per treatment). This procedure involves injecting a special toxin into the vein, which causes it to atrophy and eventually disintegrate, he says. Or cover up veins and blue marks with a heavy-duty concealer such as Dermablend Leg & Body Cover ($18, dermablend.com). This long-wearing, transfer-resistant formula is better on large areas like your legs than the average concealer.