👉🏾 Caring for Aging Hands: Treatments for a More Youthful Appearance

As we grow older, our hands are often one of the first areas to show visible signs of aging like age spots, thin wrinkled skin, and loss of volume. While some degree of aging is inevitable, there are several medical and complementary treatments available to help diminish these changes and restore a more youthful-looking hand appearance.

Age Spots and Rough Patches Many adults develop age spots (lentigines) on their hands, which tend to increase in size over time with sun exposure.[1] Rough, scaly patches called actinic keratoses (AKs) are also common on the hands of those with significant sun damage. AKs are precancerous growths requiring treatment, as some may progress to skin cancer.[2]

Treatments for age spots and AKs include cryosurgery (freezing), laser therapy, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and prescription skin-lightening creams and lotions containing ingredients like hydroquinone.[1][2]

Loss of Fullness and Increased Visibility of Veins As hands lose their youthful plumpness, the skin can become lax and thin with a crepe paper-like texture. This loss of volume also causes hand veins and tendons to appear more prominent.[3]

To restore lost fullness, dermatologists can inject fillers like calcium hydroxylapatite (approved for hand rejuvenation) or transfer a person's own fat from another area.[3] Visible hand veins that cannot be adequately concealed with volume restoration may be treated with laser therapy or sclerotherapy injections to collapse and diminish their appearance.[3]

Wrinkles and Rough Texture The decreased collagen, elastin, and hydration that occurs with age can leave hand skin looking wrinkled, rough, and dry.[3] Dermatologists commonly recommend anti-aging hand treatments like retinol or glycolic acid creams, mild chemical peels, laser treatments, and skin rejuvenation procedures using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) to smooth wrinkles and rough texture.[3][4] Keeping hands well-moisturized is also essential.

PRP and PRFM are concentrations of a patient's own blood platelets that contain high levels of growth factors to stimulate collagen production when injected into the skin. Fibroblast treatments use a plasma energy device to manually create micro-injuries and induce skin tightening.

Some people also explore acupuncture, acupressure, or cupping as complementary therapies for aging hands. Acupuncture and acupressure aim to promote healing and improve circulation by stimulating specific points on the body. Cupping can alleviate muscular pain that may come with aging and studies show it can also help reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome by relieving pressure on the median nerve and improving blood flow and nerve conduction.[5]

Loose Skin Collagen and elastin loss also contributes to loose, sagging hand skin over time. Radiofrequency treatments that heat the deeper skin layers can provide tightening benefits.[3] Fillers, some laser treatments, and plasma fibroblast skin tightening may also help tighten loose skin on the hands.

Brittle NailsRoughly 20% of people, particularly women over 60, experience brittle, peeling, easily cracked nails with ridges running vertically.[3] The main treatments are identifying any contributing factors like excessive water exposure or harsh chemical use, and then rehydrating nails and surrounding skin with heavy moisturizers like urea cream or mineral oil, potentially worn under cotton gloves overnight.[3] Specialized nail lacquers may provide additional strengthening if needed.

Making Results Last To maintain your rejuvenated hand appearance as long as possible, dermatologists recommend consistently using sun protection like broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and UV protective gloves, wearing protective gloves during cleaning or gardening, frequently moisturizing hands, and adhering to recommended maintenance treatment schedules like filler re-injection every 8-12 months.[3]

Why See a Dermatologist The skill and experience of the provider is critical for optimal and safe hand rejuvenation results. Board-certified dermatologists have the necessary dermatologic surgery training and expertise to determine which treatments are best suited to address your concerns based on your skin condition, age, and health status.[3]

By exploring both conventional dermatologic treatments and complementary approaches like acupuncture, acupressure, and cupping under proper supervision, it's possible to restore a smoother, more youthful-looking hand appearance. While you can't stop aging entirely, caring for your hands using a multifaceted approach can help defy the effects of time.

References: [1] Ortonne, J.P....[2] Rosen, T.... [3] American Academy of Dermatology (2023)... [4] Sharad, J. (2022)... [5] Deng, Y., & Xu, X. (2022). Acupuncture and aging of the skin... Cao, H., Li, X., & Liu, J. (2012). An updated review of the efficacy of cupping therapy. PloS one, 7(2), e31793.

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