Other than our faces, the most visible marker of our age can be our hands. The skin on our hands is frequently forgotten, but those areas show our age through constant exposure to the sun as well as years of daily washing and use. For celebrities on television who have close-ups on their hands, like Martha Stewart or any celebrity chef, having young-looking hands can be as important as maintaining a youthful appearance. Here are five techniques that we use at Premier Image for rejuvenating the hands of our Atlanta area patients:
Laser Skin Rejuvenation
This technique uses lasers to remove dark blotches and patches on the surface of the hands. While in the past, this method could possibly cause indirect damage, modern laser techniques are finely tuned to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin on a patient’s hands. Wrinkles can be diminished, and the skin itself regains some youthful spring and glow. Laser treatments also break down the melanin (dark pigment) in those dark splotches so that they fade and disappear, tremendously improving the look of your hands. With laser skin rejuvenation, multiple treatments may be needed.
Exilis for Hand Rejuvenation
A type of non-invasive technique that is used to tighten and firm the skin on the hands, this is a highly modern procedure and is extremely popular for its excellent results. It works by cooling the epidermal layers, targeting fat deposits, and thoroughly firming the layers of the skin. It is quick and many people say it feels like a hot stone massage.
Radiesse for Hand Rejuvenation
This third option involves injecting dermal filler into the skin of hands that may have a sunken or veiny appearance. The injectable filler works by replacing lost structure and thereby smoothing out lines and wrinkles in the hands.
Radiesse works like scaffolding under the skin, and simultaneously stimulates natural collagen production. Results can last up to a year or more, meaning fillers are an excellent option for those looking for the best value treatment.
Chemical peels
If you’re looking for something slightly less intensive, chemical peels are a great option for lightening dark/brown spots on the hands. This process utilizes a chemical solution to slough off some of the top layers of skin and reveals newer and more even-toned skin underneath. Depending on the level of hyperpigmentation, peels’ strength may differ, but they cannot resolve every problem completely, particularly prominent veins or thinning hands.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is a technique where fat cells are removed from other parts of your body and injected into the hands to create a fuller appearance. As opposed to dermal fillers which are synthetic compounds, fat transfer is a process that utilizes your own body’s natural fat. This helps to add volume to your hands and make them look more youthful. Fat transfer results are similar to those of dermal fillers, as they are immediate upon completion but require upkeep.
What can you do to keep your hands looking youthful?
Here are some good habits you can add to your lifestyle that can help maintain healthy-looking hands:
Manage stress
When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can damage collagen in your skin. This can contribute to speeding up aging in the skin which makes sagging and wrinkling more visible. There are some techniques to help manage and reduce stress, such as meditation, breathing exercises, weight lifting, and talking therapy.
Apply hand cream after washing your hands
Using hand cream after washing your hands will help to lock in moisture. Using this can give skin an extra boost of moisture, stopping it from drying out. Applying a lotion with retinol may help decrease the visibility of wrinkles, giving the skin a softer feel and a younger look.
Use moisturizers at night
Applying a hand cream containing retinol or even glycolic acid before going to sleep may help treat dry, or scaly skin. Wearing cotton gloves after applying the hand cream can help them keep the moisture, giving the active ingredients enough time to take effect on your skin.
Apply sunscreen
Regularly putting sunscreen on your hands can help protect the skin from premature aging and sun spots. To ensure protection from harmful UV rays, you should reapply sunscreen after washing your hands.
Wear hand protection
To protect the hands, wearing gloves is helpful in situations such as:
Putting on protective gloves for household chores. Rubber gloves (or latex) can help stop the skin of the hands from getting in contact with cleaning products and avoid dryness, and even brittle nails.
Wearing gloves when driving. This will protect your hands from the sun, which aside from helping to prevent premature skin aging will also help prevent other sun-related issues.
Wearing gloves in winter is beneficial since it helps maintain skin hydration and prevents dryness and scaly hands. Consequently, this contributes to diminishing the appearance of wrinkles.
Quitting smoking
Smokers suffer from reduced amounts of collagen and elastin in the dermis. Because the dermis has less collagen and elastin fibers, the skin becomes looser and stops having its elasticity. Smoking impedes the skin’s natural repair mechanisms, leading to accelerated aging of the skin. Consulting with a doctor can help someone to quit smoking.
At Premier Image you can have any of these procedures performed with an expert plastic surgeon to ensure that your hands do not reveal your true age, and remain looking youthful no matter what. For those in the greater Atlanta area, contact us at Premier Image hand rejuvenation techniques and other cosmetic procedures.
