A lot of time is spent on rejuvenating the face, but there are other parts of the body that can suffer from aging signs, especially the hands. Recent trends have brought patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s into clinics nationwide seeking treatments for the aging backs of their hands. One of the most vulnerable and neglected areas of the body, the back of the hands are exposed to sun, free radicals, and the elements almost all the time. The anti-aging creams applied to our faces rarely make it to the hands. Thankfully, there are nonsurgical treatments that can help you regain some of that lost youth and restore your smooth, soft hands.
Do You Have “Granny Hands?”
It’s a terrible expression, but one that evokes immediate imagery: granny hands. These are typically hands that are veiny, weathered, and wrinkled. The skin may be leathery and paper thin, showing the veins beneath. Often, the skin is discolored with sun spots or liver spots. These effects are caused by years of damage from the sun and other factors.
Typically, the first signs of aging on the hands are the thinning of the skin and the appearance of the veins beneath. Gradually, the knuckles may appear to become knobby as fat collects around the joints. The skin will lose elasticity, forming wrinkles and creases around the fingers and especially at the wrist. Discolorations will appear with repeated sun exposure. If any of these symptoms has been plaguing your hands, it’s time to see your plastic surgeon for help.
Restoring the Youth to Hands
Injectable treatments are a popular choice for hand rejuvenation, especially Radiesse. This product is used against the signs of aging on the face and the hands alike. Radiesse can provide support to the structure of the skin and help reverse many of the common symptoms that accompany aging. Using Radiesse can leave your hands looking refreshed, with fewer lines and wrinkles, better skin elasticity, and increased fullness.
Radiesse is made of Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) inside a gel, a formula that is superb in treating the backs of the hands. While it does provide instant results, Radiesse goes beyond this initial reaction to stimulate natural collagen protection and promote long-lasting growth and continued effects. In fact, these long-term results can actually outlast the presence of Radiesse in the hands.
The injection procedure takes about 30 minutes, does not involve sedation, and does not need downtime for recovery. Lidocaine will be used to numb the back of the hands (or face, if you choose facial treatments as well) and then the injection will be performed. With the lost volume restored to the hands, the thin and lax appearance of skin, the visibility of veins, and the unevenness of the knobby knuckles will all begin to be reversed.
Reversing the Damage to the Hands
If the skin on your hands still betrays your level of aging and damage, you may need to follow up your injections with additional nonsurgical skincare treatments. A chemical peel is traditionally performed on the face but can offer some reparations to the hands as well. Typically, chemical peels are used to heal skin with sun damage, acne scars, irregular skin pigmentation, and even wrinkles, so the hands can be a prime target for such treatments.
Peels work by removing the outermost layer of skin to reveal the newer, healthier skin below. Different solutions of the chemical peel formula can be used to achieve light, medium, or deep penetrations. For the hands, a light or medium is often enough to achieve the desired results. Discuss your treatment options with your plastic surgeon for a clear idea what strategies will work best for you.
Be Proactive About Caring for Your Hands
If you are early in the aging process, you can still take action to prevent the progression toward “Granny hands” before it’s too late. Start taking proper care of the skin on your hands today to thwart problems tomorrow. Work with your plastic surgeon, aesthetician, or dermatologist to create an effective, proactive treatment regimen for your hands. This may include cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen on a daily basis. By using the right skincare products, you could invest time and money to protect your hands for a few extra years before they start revealing your real age.
Take Off Years From Your Hands for a More Youthful Look
Customize your anti-aging hand treatment with the help of an expert on the subject. Learn more today by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Robert Kessler, a board certified general and facial plastic surgeon, to learn more about what this surgery can do for you. Dr. Kessler completed his medical degree with honors from Tufts University in Boston as well as a distinguished General Surgical Residency with North Short/NYU in New York. Prior to that, he completed a Plastic Surgery residency with the US Air Force and the University of Texas.
Today, Dr. Kessler operates his surgical practice in California, has worked as a surgical consultant and surgical assistant on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, and has lectured nationally and internationally on topics including facial rejuvenation, plastic surgery and body contouring. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kessler, contact his office, located at 2121 E Pacific Coast Hwy #200, in Newport Beach, CA, by calling 949.644.6544.
