Lifestyle Changes and Treatments to Help Hand Look Youthful

Skin aging is a natural process. Hands are the first to show up signs of aging. Hands have the thinnest skin, and therefore, loss of collagen is more visible on the hands.⁽¹⁾

The signs of aging on the hands such as dry and wrinkled skin and brittle nails are harmless.

There are many ways people can make their hands look youthful.

There are various lifestyle changes that can keep the hands looking their best. These include the following.

1. Manage Stress

   Stress triggers the hormone cortisol which can lead to the breakdown of collagen, which may lead to wrinkling, sagging, and aging.

   A person can do the below-mentioned things to reduce stress levels:

   • Meditation
   • Talking therapy
   • Gentle exercises
   • Breathing exercises

2. Moisturization

   Applying hand cream helps in keeping the moisture locked and prevents dryness. Hand creams containing retinol can be helpful in reducing wrinkles and keeps the hands looking and feeling young.

   Using hand cream with retinol or glycolic acid can be helpful in reducing scaly skin. Covering the hands with cotton gloves after applying lotion, helps in locking moisture and giving time to the ingredients to work.

3. Apply Sunscreen

   Applying sunscreen to the hands every day can be helpful in slowing down aging.

   Sunscreen should be reapplied if hands are washed to keep them protected against damaging UV rays.

4. Wear Hand Protection

   Wearing gloves in certain conditions can be helpful in protecting hands, for example:

   • Wearing gloves while doing household chores is important. Sometimes the detergents or other cleaning items might contain chemicals that may cause damage to the skin.
   • Gloves in this case can keep the skin protected.
   • Wearing gloves while driving can protect your hands from the harmful rays of the sun.
   • Wearing warm gloves in winter can protect the hands from getting scaly and dry. This can further help prevent wrinkles.

5. Quitting Smoking

   Smoking causes damage to the collagen level and elastin in the skin’s dermis. Low levels of collagen and elastin in the dermis can cause the skin to get less elastic.

   Smoking also damages the mechanism that helps in repairing the skin, causing the skin aging to get more pronounced.

There are a few treatment options that can be opted for, for the aging of hands.

Skin-lightening creams and lotions can help minimize the appearance of age spots on the hands. It might take more time for these lotions to work than other methods but are also less expensive than others.

The skin should always be treated with methods approved by dermatologists. Therefore, speaking with a dermatologist before going ahead with anything related to the skin is essential.

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure involving the use of special tools to exfoliate the skin. It can be helpful in reducing the appearance of age spots.

It can also be helpful in boosting the effectiveness of certain products.

A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment that involves using acid to exfoliate the skin. According to the American Association of Dermatology, a chemical peel every 1-3 months may be helpful in smoothening the rough skin of the hands and in reducing wrinkling.⁽²⁾

Laser therapy involves applying light to the outer layer of the skin to improve skin function.

One or two laser treatments are recommended to minimize the appearance of age spots.⁽²⁾

In radiofrequency, heat is administered deep into the hands to tighten the loose skin.

The American Association of Dermatology recommends only one treatment of radiofrequency on the hands.⁽²⁾

Fillers are recommended for people who have lost plumpness or firmness in their hands.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of calcium hydroxylapatite on hands. The result lasts for 6-12 months and therefore regular procedures are needed for continued results.

Sometimes, a person’s own fat is used as filler for the hands.

Skin aging is a natural process and the hand is the first place it shows up. Although it may not be of much concern, still can make people conscious. There are many options available that can be helpful in improving the skin condition of hands but a doctor’s advice is a must.