Veins fading away in a cut?

The level of vacularity is correlated w/your BF% but where & how much vacularity you show will vary widely person-to-person based on genetics, water retention and other factors.

I'm at 8.3% BF (as last measured by hydro in March, have another test scheduled in a week). I've got lots of vascularity in my arms (but I always have). Have also developed some noticeable vascularity in my upper chest, shoulders and calves and some faint lines in my inner thighs and groin.

That said, I have no where near the vascularity that I've seen in pics of compettive body builders, who would (if the pics aren't altered) closer to 5% or even less at the time of competition but that BF level is neither healthy or sustainable.

So, FEIW, I'd focus more on your BW and BF% to measure (rather than your vascularity) to measure your progress.

This content has been removed.

justinkimcentral wrote: »

But idk how to measure bodyfat because every machine isnt as accurate so i dont really know

There are numerous threads discussing this issue at length on MFP and lots of articles on the Net discussing the same. I've read a lot of them.

Bottom line, there is no perfect method of BF measurement but generally DXA and hydrostatic testing are considered the "best" in terms of accuracy and reliability and bioelectrical and the the Bodpod are considered the "worst."

The accuracy and reliability of calipers depends almost entirely on the experience and ability of the person taking the measurements, which varies widely.

I have gotten a DXA scan and hydro test done quarterly for the last 2 years and recommend these methods if you are serious about measuring your BF. Unfortunately, they are the most expensive and are not available everywhere.

On the other hand, if you can find someone who actually knows how to use BF calipers and takes 12 rather than just 7 measurement points, the results can be as good as DXA or hydro and should cost less than DXA and hydro.

Bioelectrical and Bodpod results vary widely based on a variety of factors and cannot be relied upon for accuracy and I would not recommend you use them at all, not even for assessing a trend because the results are so unreliable.

Biorelectrical is the cheapest and most accessible but that'd not a good reason to use it. The Bodpod can be as expensive as DXA and hydro but isn't worth the cost IMO.

That said, you will and should not see any significant changes in your BF from day to day or even week to week.

In general, the ratio of LBM to BF changes very slowly in relation to the amount of weight loss when eating at a deficit and even more slowly while eating at maintenance, which is why I only measure my BF quarterly and some would say that even that is too frequent.

My BF dropped 10% from about 26% down to 16% when my weight dropped from 196 to 160 in the 1st 7 months and then dropped 8% from 16% down to 8% when my weight dropped from 160 to 155 while was in maintenance over the following 17 months.

While I had the benefit (IMO) of being able to put a specific number on it, there was no doubt just looking at my weight on the scale and my image in the mirror everyday that my BF was dropping along w/my weight.

So, OP, If you do not have access to or the money to get a DXA scan or hydro test, just let your scale and mirror be your guides and don't worry about your vascularity. If you are losing weight and BF, the vascularity and other noticeable body changes will follow.

Good luck!

I think from my basic nursing knowledge the more dehydrated you are the lower your bp and so likely the less prominent your veins as your blood mass is less