We all want to age gracefully by looking younger than we actually are. Even if you wear your sunscreen and eat all the right foods, you can’t always prevent the inevitable: there are just some parts of your body that will show your age more than others. Because our faces aren’t the only parts of our body that show the effects of sun exposure and aging. Our hands are usually more exposed to the sun’s rays (We’re talking to you golfers!), and as a result they are prone to wrinkles, lines, discolorations and of course thinning skin just as our faces are. The good news is that many of the same treatments that work so well for facial rejuvenation can also reverse the signs of aging in the hands. Those examples are:
Darkening spots
If you are experiencing brown “sun” spots, a common light-moderate chemical peel TCA peel is an option to help eliminate your uneven coloration. Lasers are very popular and have been for the last 10+ years. Try an IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) which is a laser treatment that is also well-suited for the thinner skin on the hands. Both approaches require several treatments to achieve optimal results. A less aggressive treatment is in the form of topical skin care products. Products can successfully help with reducing the appearance of uneven pigmentation. If the discoloration is relatively mild, we might consider a daily bleaching cream containing hydroquinone, or a cream containing Retin-A, a proven anti-aging ingredient, to even out the pigmentation.
Thin Skin
When aging and sun exposure cause the skin on the back of the hands to thin, it gives your hands that “bony” appearance. Your options include injectable fillers. You can go the more natural route of fat transfers (using your body’s own fat cells) or a common dermal filler called Sculptra which can help restore volume. At Contour Dermatology we do have many different injectable fillers that work for the hands to create that more youthful plump look.
Unappealing Veins
No woman likes enlarged hand veins even though they are normal. They are just veins that become more visible as the skin thins with age. They’re not considered to be a medical problem such as protruding varicose veins in the legs, but they can be easily injured and unsightly as the skin becomes more delicate. Sclerotherapy is a treatment option Dr. Jochen performs in which a safe, painless solution is injected into these unappealing veins, causing them to contract and vanish. The body will then re-route the constricted blood into nearby healthy vein to reduce the appearance.
Dr. Jochen stressed “The single most important strategy for preventing sun damage to the hands is to wear sunscreen every day,” and adds “It’s simply the best way to keep those brown spots from appearing in the first place, and to prevent your hands from giving away your age.”
If you’d like to learn more about the treatment options for making your hands look younger, call us today at 416-6971 or send us an email here.
