Treating bulging hand veins

• Fat injections—Fat injections into the thinning areas of your hands can help counteract natural fat loss to re-contour and smooth the area. A small amount of fat is harvested from another part of your body using liposuction. The fat is cleaned and processed, and then carefully injected into your hands. Fat injections are only a temporary solution though, because your body will naturally re-absorb the fat. Treatment can last several years before you’ll need a touch-up.

• Dermal fillers—Cosmetic dermal fillers are natural or synthetic substances that can be injected into your skin to firm and plump thinned areas, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and minimize the prominence of tendons and bulging veins. Radiesse is a popular synthetic dermal filler for hands because it plumps your skin while also actively boosting growth of natural collagen. Some dermal fillers are permanent, and some can wear off after a year or so and require maintenance injections. Dermal fillers provide instant results with little or no down-time, and there is a low risk of side effects. 

• Sclerotherapy—This is a non-invasive in-office procedure where your doctor injects a chemical into your vein to make it collapse and eventually dissolve. This can eliminate bulging veins on your hands. Sclerotherapy is commonly performed on the legs, but can be used in other areas at your doctor’s discretion. Sclerotherapy is considered a very safe and effective treatment with little pain and almost no down-time.

• Ambulatory phlebectomy—This is a minimally invasive in-office procedure to remove your superficial varicose veins through small incisions or punctures in your skin. The procedure uses local anesthetic and is almost pain-free. The treated area may feel sore or numb for a few days, and you may have some bruising. There may be light scarring from the incisions or punctures, but these usually fade after six months. 

What causes bulging hand veins?

• Low body fat—Fat, like collagen, provides a cushion underneath the skin that helps it look fuller and smoother. Without fat, your veins become more visible and appear to bulge. People who are underweight, weight lift, or body build often have low body fat.

• Weightlifting—Strenuous exercise like weight lifting can put pressure on your veins, which can cause them to dilate and appear more prominent. This is commonly called “vascularity” in the body building world.

• Aging—As we age, the vein walls naturally weaken, causing them to stretch and dilate. Your skin tends to become thinner with less collagen as you age, which can also highlight the veins in your hands and make them more noticeable.

• Weather—Warmer temperatures can cause your veins to dilate and appear more prominent.

• Vascular disease: Your veins have one-way valves in them that help regulate blood flow, but vascular disease can weaken or obstruct these valves, making your blood pool and stretch out your veins. This can lead to bulging, varicose veins, spider veins, or other serious vein-related health problems. Obstructions in your veins from blood clots or plaque buildup can also affect your circulation and vein health. Your doctor can diagnose vascular disease and help you with a detailed treatment plan.

Cost of hand vein treatment