How to Treat Prominent Hand Veins
Visible hand veins are generally not a cause for concern, but there are simple ways to remove them or reduce their appearance.
Although bulging veins emerge most often on the legs in the form of varicose veins, enlarged and visible veins may pop up anywhere on the body — including the hands. More of a cosmetic concern than a sign of a serious venous disorder, prominent veins on the hands can be erased with minimally-invasive treatment.
What Causes Prominent Hand Veins?
Varicose veins on the legs develop due to weak valves in the veins that are no longer able to pump blood back toward the heart. As the blood pools in the veins, the vein walls swell beneath the skin. This results in twisting, protruding varicose veins.
Prominent hand veins may have a similar appearance, but they generally stem from a different set of causes, including:
- Age. As we age, the skin on our hands loses elasticity and becomes thinner. This allows the veins to rise to the skin’s surface and appear more conspicuous.
- Exercise. During exercise, blood pressure rises and pushes veins closer to the skin. Once the workout ends, the bulging veins usually fade. However, regular strength training tends to make prominent hand veins a permanent condition.
- Heat Exposure. Veins work harder in the hot weather, causing them to enlarge as they struggle to maintain proper circulation in extreme heat. As a result, hand veins may bulge from under the skin.
In rare instances, prominent hand veins may be caused by an inflammation of a vein or a superficial blood clot. No matter the cause, hand veins are treatable with many of the same procedures used to eliminate varicose veins on the legs.
Treating Hand Veins
To diminish the appearance of hand veins, your vein specialist may recommend some non-surgical remedies. For example, keeping skin moisturized shrinks the veins. Hand exercises that encourage blood flow make the veins less prominent, as well.
One exercise to try is wrist stretches. First start by putting your palms together and raising your elbows out to the side. Then, drop your wrists to your abdomen as you feel a stretch along the inner wrist. This can help improve blood flow and reduce the appearance of bulging veins.
If you opt for surgical intervention, there are procedures that utilize virtually pain-free techniques and require minimal recovery time. Surgery is the only way to permanently rid yourself of prominent hand veins.
For instance, hand veins can be treated with a procedure called sclerotherapy. After a liquid foam is injected into the vein, the vein closes up and vanishes. Repeat injections may be needed to ensure the vein does not reappear.
Cosmetic phlebectomy is another option. In this procedure, tiny incisions are made through which the visible vein is removed. Hand veins may also be eradicated with laser heat in a endovenous ablation procedure.
We Treat Hand Veins
Visible veins may make you hesitant to show your hands, but treatment can help you feel more confident. At the Kimmel Institute, our team will help you find treatment methods that satisfy your goals and your budget. Contact us today to set up an appointment.