Visible veins on the hands can catch your attention—especially as you get older. For some people, prominent hand veins appear suddenly; for others, they’ve always been noticeable. But what do they really mean?

The truth is this: visible hand veins are usually not a sign of illness. In fact, in many cases, they’re simply a normal part of aging, body composition, or lifestyle. However, in certain situations, they can signal changes happening inside your body worth paying attention to.

Below are the most common reasons your hand veins become more visible—and what each one signals.1. Low Body Fat
One of the most common reasons veins appear more visible is low subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat under the skin).
When this layer gets thinner, the veins sit closer to the surface and are much easier to see.