What are hand veins?

As the skin ages and loses elasticity and fat, hand veins can become more prominent and bulge out of the skin. However, hand veins can affect younger adults too.

Hand veins are quite normal and don’t pose a medical problem. For many, treatment is sought out purely for cosmetic reasons. Generally, men have more prominent veins in their hands than women but are less likely to seek treatment. Bulging hand veins are unlike varicose veins, which are found in the legs.

Can prominent hand veins be a sign of something serious?

It’s very rare for hand veins to be a sign of a serious condition and as such, they do not usually require any kind of intervention. Nonetheless, for aesthetic reasons, some people opt to undergo treatment. 

What are the causes of prominent hand veins?

Visible or prominent veins in the hands are usually due to age, but other factors such as exercise or hot weather can influence their appearance. People who are very fit are more prone to bulging hand veins due to a lower percentage of body fat.

Can prominent hand veins be prevented?

Given that ageing can’t be prevented, hand veins will become more prominent eventually, but the prominence of the hand veins can be influenced by the amount of body fat on an individual.

How can prominent hand veins be treated?

You’ll need to discuss treatment options with your medical specialist to discover what works best for your individual case. You may be offered one procedure or a combination of procedures. These are:

• Sclerotherapy
• Micro-phlebectomy
• Endothermal laser ablation

Which type of specialist treats hand veins?

Vascular surgeons offer treatment for prominent hand veins.