If you cross your legs, you are just asking for varicose veins. How many times have you heard that one before?

The truth is that crossing you legs won't give you varicose or unsightly spider veins. But there are a few things that will like:

• Standing, especially for 8 hours per day or more, makes heart valves pump extra hard. If it fails to pump hard enough, pools of blood can form.

• Pregnancy, which puts added pressure on the circulatory system, sometimes resulting in veins.

• Genetics also have an effect on who gets them and who doesn't.

There are a few things you can do to keep these eyesores at bay:

• Exercise regularly to keep blood circulating properly.

• User sunscreen when outdoors.

• Use a self tanner, which will help cover up veins you already have.