• Question: Why do veins become more prominent as one ages?

    Asked by sciencetube145 to Gioia, Iain, Jo, Leo, Mariam on 23 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Mariam Orme

      Mariam Orme answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      Varicose veins (the veins that REALLY pop out in older people, especially in their legs) are caused by the valves not working properly, so blood can flow backwards and enlarge the vein.

    • Photo: Leo Garcia

      Leo Garcia answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      As the body ages, the properties of the skin change. It becomes thinner, it loses fat, and the veins become more visible. You can slow down the aging of the skin by avoiding smoking and exposure to UV radiation. So throw out that pack of cigerettes and stop going down the tanning salon!

      http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004014.htm

    • Photo: Joanna Watson

      Joanna Watson answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      I think it is probably because your skin gets thinner, but I’m not sure.

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