One of the most common mistakes in medical aesthetic treatments is focusing solely on facial rejuvenation and neglecting the hands. This is because signs of aging manifest on our hands just as much as on our face. Hand rejuvenation applications require the combined use of numerous different methods, ranging from compensating for volume loss to improving skin quality.
The majority of medical aesthetic treatments focus on the facial area. However, when we compare them, it is possible to say that the hand area ages earlier than the face. Furthermore, the hand area responds more limitedly to therapeutic procedures. At times genetic factors, and at other times environmental factors that our hands are exposed to throughout daily life, can lead to the formation of aging signs in the hand area. Medical Aesthetic Specialist Dr. Lida Çiteli, who serves her patients in Istanbul, explained the most up-to-date approaches in hand rejuvenation treatments for you.
Why Do Hands Age So Quickly?
Our hands are among the areas most exposed to sunlight and the least protected. Although most people establish a skincare routine for the facial area, they do not show the same care for the maintenance of their hands.
The skin tissue on the back of the hand is extremely thin and, unlike other areas of the skin, does not possess a rich fatty tissue. Therefore, collagen loss begins earlier. As a result of the decrease in volume in the region, veins and tendons become prominent. Age spots also appear more quickly. For this reason, the back of the hand is among the areas that show the first clues of aging signs.
How Are Aging Signs on the Hands Noticed?
- Thinning of the skin and the formation of a transparent appearance
- Veins on the back of the hand becoming increasingly prominent
- The skin having a dry and matte appearance
- Formation of sunspots
Why Is Hand Rejuvenation Difficult?
Unfortunately, our hands are not an area that can tolerate mistakes, flaws, and traces of aging. The skin in the hand area is thin and highly mobile. At the same time, the anatomical structures located under the skin are positioned very close to the skin surface. Therefore, every application may not be suitable for every hand. In hand rejuvenation treatments, determining the correct dose, product preference, and applying the right technique are of great importance. The goal in hand rejuvenation treatments is not to create a radical change, but to increase tissue quality and restore the volume that the hand skin has lost.
Which Approaches Stand Out?
In hand rejuvenation applications, gradual and combined approaches are applied rather than obtaining results with a single procedure. The preferred treatment method is determined according to the source of the problem and the individual's expectations. The treatments applied for hand rejuvenation purposes are as follows:
Applications Focused on Moisture and Skin Quality
As age progresses, the skin of the hand loses its moisture-holding capacity and begins to thin. Consequently, a matte and lifeless appearance prone to wrinkling occurs on the hands. At this point;
- Increasing the moisture rate of the hand and ensuring moisture balance
- Slowing down the loss of elasticity in the skin tissue on the back of the hand
- Softening fine wrinkles
Such applications provide effective results when applied before volume losses begin.
Collagen Stimulating Treatments
As the amount of collagen in the skin decreases, the skin begins to loosen. Tissue support diminishes. In these cases, treatments that will re-trigger collagen production come to the fore.
- Increasing the thickness of the skin tissue on the hands
- Creating a more durable and firm skin structure
- Aiming to make the hand look younger in the long term
Applications Targeting Volume Loss
When the fatty tissue on the back of the hand decreases, the veins and tendons in the area become increasingly prominent. At this stage, with volume-supporting applications:
- Rather than overfilling the hand, the lost soft tissue must be replaced, and
- Measured results must be obtained at a level that will not disturb the anatomy.
Spot and Photo-Aging Treatments
Spots are the most common signs of aging seen on our hands, which are one of the points most exposed to sunlight. Therefore:
- Treatments aimed at removing sunspots,
- Applications aimed at evening out skin tone
- Applications focusing on renewing the skin surface are preferred. For even if the skin tissue on the hand is rejuvenated, the presence of spots causes an aged appearance.
Combined and Gradual Treatment Approach
To obtain effective and successful results in hand rejuvenation procedures, more than one treatment method must be applied gradually and in combination over time. First, the goal is to increase skin quality and provide moisture support to the skin. In the next stage, collagen production is triggered, and volume support is provided if needed. Finally, natural and lasting results can be achieved by removing spots and tone inequalities.
What Are the Current Approaches in Hand Rejuvenation Treatments?
Hyaluronic acid-based volume-supporting applications compensate for volume losses in the hand skin. They alleviate the appearance of the tendons that have become prominent in this area. The goal here is to regain the lost soft tissue.
Collagen-triggering biostimulant injections increase the thickness of the skin and restore its lost elasticity. They are especially preferred for hands with deteriorated skin quality.
With mesotherapy procedures, moisture and brightness are brought to the skin in the hand area. Tissue quality is increased.
Applications such as PRP, Stem Cells, and Exosomes encourage the regeneration of cells and tissue with growth factors.
Laser treatments aim to remove sunspots and tone differences occurring on the back of the hand, and to eliminate signs of photo-aging. Laser treatments are generally considered a complementary element alongside injection treatments.
With chemical peeling applications, the skin is purified from dead cells and the skin surface is renewed. A homogeneous and smooth appearance is gained. However, one should not overdo it with chemical peeling.
Is a Preventive Approach Possible in Hand Rejuvenation?
Yes, to achieve successful results in hand rejuvenation, it is recommended to start preventive applications before the signs of aging appear.
