The increase in the visibility of a person's veins can be a very scary prospect. Considering that it is one of the foremost signs of aging, when it happens to take place prematurely, it is not unreasonable to be a little flustered. First and foremost, it is essential to understand that this is a very normal occurrence if you are over the age of about 50 as there is a natural tendency for your skin to lose some of thick tissue and start to look a little fragile. As you get older, the skin will tend to get even more paper thin, causing any underlying veins to become very prominent. As a result of the color of the blood flowing within as well as the color of the skin, you are also likely to see these veins appear significantly blue in color. This natural change affects both men and women in equal measure. If these prominent veins are also accompanied by any amount of pain, the condition may be more serious than simply being an aesthetic problem. Varicose veins and spider veins are very common occurrences and are characterized by the twisting of the veins, most commonly in the legs, but can occur anywhere in the human body.
Studies show that about 36% of all women in the United States of America suffer from varicose veins wile about 19% of all men are also affected. One of the most significant factors in the development of varicose veins is the genetic factor as the condition is known to be passed down from one generation to the next within the same blood line. Primarily however, varicose veins are believed to be caused simply by the presence of some amount damage to the valves. Since these valves play an important role in preventing any backflow of blood within the vein, any abnormalities or poorly functioning heart valves are likely to result in the weakening of the valve.
If there is no pain present in the areas that your veins appear to be unnaturally prominent, the most likely cause is that your skin is aging. Some factors that could contribute to this if it were to happen prematurely include excessive smoking as well as an unhealthy diet that does not provide the skin with some essential vitamins and minerals it requires to stay healthy. It is also essential that you visit your local doctor and have a medical check up performed to identify whether any underlying medical condition is causing the occurrence.
answered by G M