I’ve noticed that a lot of movies have a very specific scene in them. It’s a woman going through her skin care routine.
Think Fatal Attraction — Anne Archer is sitting at her oval-mirrored vanity, diligently applying makeup — and her final step is hand cream. Other movies come to mind but that particular scene always pops into my head when I remember to use hand lotion before bed. It’s not a huge feat but, sometimes, that one extra step seems overwhelming.
That all changed when my dermatologist dropped this lil gem of wisdom onto me. He said, “No matter how much plastic surgery you get, the hands always give away your age.”
Since that moment, not only do I use hand lotion before bed, but several times throughout the day (a lot of that has to do with the over-washing I’ve done due to Covid). I don’t want old-looking hands, and I’m guessing you don’t, either – so, we’re going to delve into all the products and treatments to keep our paws looking prim!
And remember, don’t neglect your hands — treat them with as much care as you treat your face.
Crepey Skin
“If the backs of your hands are starting to get a crumpled look, reminiscent of gift bag stuffing, use a prescription retinoid cream to improve texture and jumpstart the growth of thickening collagen,” says Deborah Sarnoff, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at New York University.
Sarnoff recommends prescription Renova or Retin-A — they’re more effective than OTC retinol products. “Your dermatologist will explain how and when to use them so you get the benefits without common retinoid drawbacks, like skin irritation,” adds Sarnoff.
Scaly, Dry Skin
Who wants lizard mitts? Not us – we want smooth, full skin, reminiscent of a baby’s butt.
To get rid of scales and flakes, there’s a quick fix you can do right before crawling into bed. You can slough off rough, dead skin with a gentle scrub like L’OCCITANE’s Shea Butter One-Minute Hand Scrub.
“Then, create an all-night moisture mask by smoothing on a glycerin and plant oil-containing hand cream, like Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Cream, covering hands with plastic wrap and putting cotton gloves on top (skip the plastic and you’ll just end up with really well moisturized gloves),” according to Prevention.
Fillers
Fillers are used to plump and smooth facial skin, but can they be used in hands? The answer is yes!
According to the NCBI, “Among the available procedures, intrinsic aging of the hands is best improved by restoring the volume of soft tissue. “Volume restoration can be achieved with a number of long-lasting dermal fillers with varying degrees of improvement and treatment longevity. The dermal fillers used in hand rejuvenation include autologous fat, collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite and poly-L-lactic acid.”
But are they safe?
As of now, Radiesse and Restylane Lyft are the only FDA-approved hand fillers. Radiesse, created by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, was the first FDA-approved hand filler to be used to replenish diminished volume in aging hands.
“Radiesse is based on calcium hydroxylapatite, a component found in bone and teeth. In addition to adding volume, Radiesse can also help conceal veins and tendons, thanks to its opacity and color,” says Zwivel.
According to research published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, Radiesse usually lasts for about six months.
“Many people experience positive results from using this filler, with research published in the Dermatologic Survey finding that 88% of physicians and 76% of patients were satisfied with the results six months after Radiesse treatment.”
In 2018, the FDA approved Restylane Lyft as it was deemed a safe and effective option for patients looking to add volume back to their hands.
“As demonstrated in this first-in-class clinical trial, Restylane Lyft offers a safe and effective [hyaluronic acid] treatment option for restoring volume to the hands and delivering natural-looking results,” says Dr. David Bank, a clinical investigator for Restylane Lyft in the hands. “This new treatment allows me to address the 65% of women over the age of 35 who believe their hands make them look older than their age.”
If you’re not ready to go for the filler route (injections can be painful and expensive — $650-$800 for each injection), we’ve made a list of the best products for younger-looking hands!
Do you regularly use anti-aging creams on your hands? Share with us in the comments!
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