20 May 2024 | by Dr. Vickram Tandon, MD
Most of us go through life without thinking too much about our hands until they begin to hurt. However, aging in the hands is not just a functional issue. It can also be an aesthetic one. I am constantly surprised by the fact that many of my Boston area patients will devote considerable time and money to rejuvenating their face and then completely forget about the hands. But the hands can be a dead giveaway of your actual age. Furthermore, the skin and tissues of the hands take a daily beating that exceeds almost anywhere else on your body. Treating them will a little TLC may go a long way to helping you look and feel more youthful. So, here are some options when it comes to Hand Rejuvenation 101.
Proper Skincare is First Line of Defense in Hand Rejuvenation
The first line of defense when it comes to rejuvenation anywhere on your face and body, including the hands, is proper skincare. Aging in the skin and tissues of your hands not only starts way earlier than you probably realize, but the skin in this area is more akin to the delicate skin on your neck. Yet your hands are constantly in and out of water — especially these days with all of our post-Covid hand washing, and regularly subjected to harsh environmental factors such as:
- Sun exposure
- Dry weather
- Pollution
- Chemicals in cleaning products including hand soap
One of the simplest things to do to keep your hands looking youthful and plump is to moisturize then regularly. You can use an over-the-counter product such as Aquaphor or your favorite body moisturizer. There are also creams specifically designed for the hands. And don’t forget about sunscreen. It is probably the single greatest thing you can do to turn-back-the-clock. I love our EltaMD line of sunscreens, but any SPF 30 or above that protects against UVA and UVB rays will do.
Laser Skin Resurfacing for Hand Rejuvenation in Boston
Sunscreen is obviously great for reducing your risk of skin cancer, but it can also help to prevent many of the skin texture issues that lead to aged looking hands such as:
- Sun spots
- Uneven “crepey” skin texture
- Redness
- Fine lines
Another fantastic treatment for improving skin texture on the backs of the hands is laser skin resurfacing. Patients are always amazed at what a difference it can make in how they feel about themselves.
Fillers or Fat Grafting to Address Bulging Veins in the Hands
Volume loss is not just an issue on the face. It can be a huge problem when it comes to your hands. As the skin and tissues lose the plumpness of youth due to naturally declining levels of collagen in the skin, the underlying veins in your hands may become more visible and prominent. Properly selected and placed fillers are a nice way to restore volume to the hands and camouflage the appearance of these unsightly bulging veins. Another great option is fat transfer which brings in your body’s natural stem cells to help revitalize the region. Both have their pros and cons which we will discuss in detail during your initial consultation. So, if your hands are broadcasting an age that you don’t want to make public, schedule an appointment to come in and discuss hand rejuvenation. It is one of those simple things that can deliver considerable benefit.
To find out more about hand rejuvenation, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Vickram Tandon at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call 617-402-2768 to schedule a consultation.
