How To Protect Hands From Aging?

How many of us care for our hands as much as we do for our face and neck? Hands are the most uncared parts of the body. Few might know that our hand age faster than face as the skin of the back of the hand is much thinner than that on the face. Due to the small amount of fat on the back of hand collagen and elastin begins to break down, as a process of aging or on exposure to the sun. It leaves a noticeable impact on the hands and results in wrinkly appearance and appearance of bulging veins which grow larger over time.

The age spots, scaly and saggy skin, prominent veins, stained and brittle nails, and outdated manicure make the hand look older than usual.

There are three main factors which make the hand age faster,

1. Sun Damage: The damaging UV rays can prematurely age our hands and lead to wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, atrophy and thinning of the skin of hands.⁽¹⁾ Photoaging is a term used for premature aging of skin due to repeated exposure to the UV rays. These rays can cause up to 90% of damage to the skin.
2. Genetics: Genetics also play a role in aging the hands as age spots and freckles are hereditary.
3. Medications: Certain medications also affect the skin of the hands as they increase the photosensitivity and thinning of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of hands. Along with the above frequent dishwashing, hand washing, dealing with chemicals and not moisturizing hand can also lead to premature aging.

Aging is a natural process of the body and nothing can stop it. But you can protect yourself from it and delay it.

• Protect Your Hands From The Sun: It is important to take care of our hands as we do for our face. We apply sunscreen on the face when planning to step out of the house. Make sure you apply sunscreen to the hands as well, as they are equally exposed to the harmful UV rays which can leave their damaging effects.
• Wear Gloves While Cleaning And Gardening: The detergents for dish and clothes washing and the chemical present in the yard work can dry out the skin of the hand. This makes them wrinkly and aged. It is therefore very important to protect hands from these chemicals by wearing gloves whenever doing such work.
• Moisturize: Keep your hands well moisturized. Applying the cream after washing or bathing helps in trapping water in the skin. This helps in plumping it up.
• Exfoliate The Skin Of Hands: Once in a week exfoliate the hands to slough off dead skin and allow the moisturizer and SPF to seep into the skin. This helps keep the skin of hands soft and supple.
• Cover When Out In Sun: When driving a car or going for walks or bike ride consider covering up the hands with ultraviolet protective gloves.
• Anti-Aging Skin Care Treatments: The anti-aging skincare advances for face and neck can prove to be helpful for the hands as well. Medical filers, laser skin resurfacing, and pulsed light treatment, are few of them:
  • Home Remedies: Many scientifically proven home remedies improve the appearance of wrinkles.
  • Aloe Vera: A study found that applying aloe vera to the skin reduces the appearance of wrinkles, adds collagen and hydrates the skin.⁽²⁾
  • Egg Whites: Using creams made with egg white lead to a significant reduction in wrinkle depth and increase the production of collagen.⁽³⁾ This makes the skin smooth and stretchy.
  • Essential Oils: Applying essential oils such as argan oil, carrot seed oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil and many more, mixed with carrier oil reduces the wrinkles.
  • Banana Mask: Banana boosts skin health as they contain natural oils and vitamins. It can be mashed into a paste and applied on the skin.
  • Superfoods: A study showed that people with healthy eating habits have fewer wrinkles.⁽⁴⁾

  Foods rich in health benefitting nutrients are known as superfoods. They help prevent wrinkle and boost health. Artichokes, ginger, miso, oatmeal, chia seeds, egg white are few of the superfoods.

  Wrinkles are a natural part of aging but we can delay their appearance by taking care of the skin. Take care of your hands as you take care of other parts of the body.