Human Body

Why do veins look blue through skin when blood is red?

Because skin and tissue change which colours of light return to your eyes. Blood in veins is dark red, not blue. When light enters skin, different wavelengths are absorbed and scattered by skin, fat and blood. The light returning from a vein can make it appear bluish compared with surrounding tissue, especially through pale skin.

Illustration of veins look blue through skin when blood is red for the question "Why do veins look blue through skin when blood is red?"
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