Are your hands starting to show signs of age? If they are, you may be wondering – How can I get more youthful-looking hands? Before looking at anti-aging treatments, it would be helpful to consider what makes the hands look younger, and what are some of the signs of aging hands.
What makes hands look younger?
Youthful hands are plump and full because of the layer of fat beneath the skin. They also have a smooth, soft, moisturized appearance and are free of wrinkles.
What are signs of aging hands?
When it comes to skin care, the hands are frequently neglected, so it’s not surprising that they often succumb to the ravages of time and the environment, and lose their smooth, plump appearance.
Loss of volume, thin skin, and age spots are some of the most common signs of aging hands. The skin also becomes less elastic with age, so it no longer bounces back when pinched.
The hands lose volume over time much like the face does, and without that fatty layer the tendons and veins become more prominent, causing the hands to look old.
The skin on the hands also becomes crepey with age due to lack of moisture, and the effects of sun damage. The sun also alters the texture of the skin, making it look leathery and wrinkly, and contributes to the formation of age spots.
Addressing these common signs of aging is the best way to get the hands looking youthful again.
How can I get more youthful-looking hands?
Replenishing lost volume in thin hands is one of the most effective ways to restore their youthful appearance. This can be achieved with the use of dermal fillers, and Radiesse is one of the best options on the market.
Radiesse is a dermal filler that is regularly used to treat moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds, but it is also FDA approved for augmenting the back of the hands. Radiesse is comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres in a gel carrier. It is safe and well-tolerated by most patients.
How Radiesse plumps the hands
A tiny needle is used to inject Radiesse under the first layer of the skin in the back of the hand. The filler adds volume instantly, and it also works over time to stimulate natural collagen. Collagen is a vital protein that keeps the skin plump and firm. Although collagen is naturally produced by the body, production slows with age and existing collagen can also be damaged by excess sun exposure.
Radiesse provides the jumpstart the body needs to increase collagen formation. The gel is absorbed by the body in the months following treatment, and the CaHA microspheres are metabolized, so only natural collagen is left behind.
Plumping the hands with Radiesse helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and makes the veins and tendons less noticeable. After Radiesse treatment patients report that their hands look and feel healthier.
Hand augmentation with Radiesse takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. The effects of Radiesse typically last about 18 months.
Rejuvenating the hands often requires a multi-faceted approach to achieve the best results. Some patients may therefore benefit from other treatments such as laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.
Laser skin resurfacing for youthful hands
Laser skin resurfacing can also make the hands look younger. It can be used to treat signs of aging such as age spots, wrinkles, and skin discoloration.
When it comes to hand rejuvenation, the fractional laser is one of the most effective technologies available. The laser emits high-intensity energy that targets the damaged tissue, while leaving healthy tissue intact. This stimulates the growth of new tissue resulting in a reduction in wrinkles, age spots, and other skin irregularities.
Chemical peels for youthful hands
Chemical peels are designed to exfoliate old, dead skin cells, and in so doing they lighten dark spots and improve discoloration.
Would you like your hands to look more youthful?
If you are in the greater San Francisco Bay area, contact Robert Aycock M.D. for a consultation.
You can reach Dr. Aycock at www.aycockmd.com, or by calling (925) 392-6382 for the office in Walnut Creek, or (415) 903-1212 for the office in Greenbrae.