Anti-aging products might be THE buzzwords of the decade. We do more Botox® and dermal filler today than ever before. We care for our facial skin with a range of products from to Retin A to Zinc sunscreen, (see what I did there… A to Z?) Anyway, my point is that we neglect the very body part that shows the most age the fastest; our hands.
Our Most Neglected Area, Hands Down
Out of all the body parts, our hands take the most abuse.
We are constantly drying them out with antibacterial cleanser and hand sanitizer. We let them sit in the sun at the beach, on the tennis court and golf course, and most often, on the steering wheel of our cars. We use bleach, glass cleaner, and any number of abrasive products to clean our homes, cars, and offices.
Some of us wear Latex or Nitril gloves at work or let our hands sit in Acetone prior to getting our nails done! Very abusive behavior indeed.
How Do We Combat Aging Hands?
The skin on the back of our hands is thinner than our face. Also, our hands have fewer sebaceous glands that produce sebum (oil) that keeps our skin lubricated. Therefore, our hands are more prone to dryness.
So, we need to start by applying moisturizer, several times a day, especially after cleansing when our hands are particularly stripped of oils.
What Anti-Aging Products Should I Be Using On My Hands?
There are many over-the-counter options available, however, I hate greasy products. I dislike how they feel and how they leave residue on everything you touch post-application.
Siperstein Dermatology’s Restorative Cream is amazing, and I especially love the Ultimate Hydrating Cream. Both are creamy, absorb into the skin quickly, and leave hands feeling soft and smooth with no tackiness! Best of all, you only need a small amount, so your jar will last a long time.
When Should I Apply Anti-Aging Products?
Bedtime application is optimal and hydrates even better if gloves are worn, although that can strip away the romance.
Why Is Taking Care Of Our Hands Important?
As we age, our hands lose collagen and elastin which gives the back of our hands that “snap-back” factor. How do we build collagen in our hands? The same way we do on our face, we use Retin A!
Anti-Aging Products That Work: Retin A
I’m hoping you are already using a Retin A product on your face, as it is Siperstein Dermatology’s top anti-aging product. Retin A increases cell turnover to expedite collagen production, so after you apply it to your face and neck, grab an extra dot, and put it on the backs of your hands!
As always with Retin A use, apply moisturizer on top!
Some additional procedures you can do to literally take your hands to the next level are Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and fillers. With these two treatments, you can transform your hands to their former glory!
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
With IPL, those unattractive brown spots can be lightened and, in many cases, permanently eliminated with our Sciton laser. One to three IPL treatments are recommended depending on the amount of sun damage to the area. The treatments are spaced out about one month apart.
Dermal Filler
Dermal Filler on the backs of the hands can restore volume and fat that is lost during the aging process.
If your hands are looking bony, stringy, or “veiny,” filler is a transformational treatment! For this treatment, a numbing cream is applied to the backs of the hands for approximately 30 minutes. Hyaluronic Dermal filler is then injected into the skin on the backs of the hands into the areas where there is the most volume loss or “indented skin.” The dermal filler takes the place of fat that we used to have and restores the smooth, supple look to the area. It also camouflages unsightly veins that can become more prominent with aging hands. The results really turn back the clock on our hands which are the focus of attention if you type, text, gesticulate, point, scratch, use a fork… you get the picture!
Last, But Certainly Not Least: Sunscreen
The final and possibly most important beauty tool for the hands is… wait for it… sunscreen! Yeah, I knew you would know that!
Hands get the most exposure to the elements of any area of the body so using something that protects them is absolutely vital for keeping your hands, and your skin as a whole, healthy. Whether it’s applying sunscreen or buying make-up products and moisturizers with SPF, we can’t stress enough the importance of sunscreen usage. It’s inexpensive and proactive.
Anti-Aging Experts In South Florida
Do you still have questions? We have answers! Call our Boca Raton or Boynton Beach office today to schedule a consultation with one of our anti-aging experts.
