Why are my veins so visible?

Most of our veins are hidden away under our skin and are not too visible on the surface.

These blood vessels are constantly at work in the background, carrying deoxygenated blood from various parts of our bodies back to the heart.

However, sometimes veins do become very visible – either on a short-term or longer-term basis.

Here are some of the reasons why.

Factors that can make veins more visible

Veins can become more visible for a range of reasons, be it temporary or more permanent.

These include:

• Exercise
  Blood pressure rises during exercise, which can cause your veins to widen and become more visible.

• Dehydration
  If you are dehydrated, there is less fluid in the body and veins can appear more visible beneath the skin.

• Hot Weather
  Warmer conditions increase blood flow around the body, which can make veins more visible.

• Sun Exposure
  Too much sun can break down the collagen protein that provides structure to the skin, which can result in veins being more visible.

• Tight Clothing
  Wearing clothes that are very tight can restrict blood flow, increasing the blood pressure in your veins and making them more visible.

• Weight
  Being overweight places added pressure on your veins, which can make them more visible, especially in the legs.

• Ageing
  As we age, our skin creates less collagen and the body loses fatty tissue, which can both contribute to increased visibility of veins.

Permanent visible veins issues

While some of the above factors can make veins more visible on a temporary basis, many people will develop more permanent varicose veins or spider veins during their lifetimes.

Varicose veins can be particularly visible.

These are veins which suffer damaged valves, causing blood to pool instead of heading back to the heart.

Varicose veins are normally swollen, knobbly and twisted in appearance and dark-blue in colour.

They most commonly develop on the legs, ankles and feet.

Spider veins are damaged blood vessels which are normally red, blue or purple in colour and lie just beneath the surface of the skin.

Spider veins get their name because they can look like spider webs, but they can also look like tree branches on some people.

Treatments for visible veins

If you have visible veins, the good news is they might not have to be permanent.

There are a range of effective treatment options available for people with varicose veins and spider veins.

These include non-invasive or minimally-invasive options like sclerotherapy (injection treatment), laser therapy and coil occlusion.

Surgery is also an option for those with more complex situations of varicose veins.

We can help rid you of your visible veins

At Laser Vein Co, we are a leading provider of treatments for varicose veins and spider veins across Melbourne and wider Victoria.

We can help make your visible veins go away, so you can get on with life without worrying about your appearance.

If you are suffering from varicose veins or spider veins, ask your doctor for a referral to us and book an appointment so that we can guide you through the best treatment options for you.