Strategies for De-aging Hands (2/2)

Hi Dr. Irwin, I'm 62 years old, but my hands look like they're 90! They are so wrinkled and NO fat-layer cushion in them...only skin and bones. I really started to notice how bad they began to look after a day in the garden wearing gloves. My hands would be so sweaty....it was like all moisture in my hands would be gone. Could wearing gloves and sweating make someone's hands thinner looking? If that is the case, I will start wrapping my waist in plastic wrap when going outside!! :) I know you can get fillers in your hands to make them look better. Maybe I need some tips on that. Thanks for all your expertise and knowledge and trying to make us all beautiful! Paula - Denham Springs, Louisiana

So Part 1/2 was on all the daily practical things to prevent skin on the hands from aging prematurely.  These are important and really don’t take much time each day.  Experts says it takes about 6 weeks of daily effort to establish a new good habit.  Put a post-it on your bathroom mirror to remind yourself, if that helps you!

FDA off-label means that the FDA has approved this product for use in skin but not for this particular location. This is usually because it would be cost prohibitive for the company to submit for multiple locations.

Topicals (creams/lotions/serums) to de-age hands:

I’m not sure why but most of us take care with the health/beauty of our faces, but our hands only occur to us much later.  In truth, all the products we use on our face, necks or bodies, can also be used on our hands. Hands are better treated at night, because we wash them during the day so much.  In the daytime use sunscreen and lotion.

Fillers to de-age hands:

  • Hyaluronic acid fillers (like Juvederm, Restylane, etc. ) have been used for many years (FDA off-label) to plump hands and hide the veins.  These work quite well, but are temporary and need refreshing every 6-12 months. Instant results though.
  • Collagen stimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse (both FDA off-label) help plump and build collagen.  Usually an initial series and then once a year or so for maintenance. Full results take 2-3 months to see.

Lasers & Devices to de-age hands

Most of the below require several treatments for optimal results.

  • IPL works well to reduce brown spots that don’t have deep roots.  Larger/deeper ones may need light liquid nitrogen and then IPL a month later.
  • Fraxel Dual works well to reduce deeper and more numerous brown spots.  Also improves crepy texture.
  • RF like Thermage/Exilis, etc.  Thermage is too uncomfortable on the hands, in my opinion.  Exilis is better, and builds collagen but results are subtle.
  • CO2 laser.  Can be done lightly on the hands followed by PRPFM (Platelet Rich Plasma Fibrin Matrix – PRP 2.0) both topically and injected.
  • Deep radiofreqency microneedling should not be used on the hands at this time (Profound, Infini, etc. )

Hope this helps,

Dr. Brandith Irwin

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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