Treatments for Younger Looking Hands
Hands show age early and plainly. Here is how to read the options before you ask about them.
Start with the problem you want solved. Spots, loose skin, thin-looking backs of the hands and visible veins each have a different fix. Read the section that matches what you see.
Know what changes in aging hands
The sources describe two changes. The American Academy of Dermatology says many adults develop age spots on their hands, and these spots tend to gradually increase in size with age and time spent in the sun. That gives you one directive: note when a spot first appears and how fast it grows, and report both at your visit.
The second change is volume. The American Academy of Dermatology describes it this way: when hands lose their youthful fullness, skin becomes lax and starts to develop a crepe-paper-like texture, and the veins become more noticeable. Treat these as separate problems and match each treatment to the one it targets.
The same organization also states that, thanks to advances in dermatology, it is possible to diminish these signs of aging safely and with little or no downtime. Take that as a reason to ask questions, not as a promise about your own hands. Only an exam can tell you how much downtime applies to you.
Name your goal before you read further. Do you want the spots gone, the skin firmer, the veins less visible, or the back of the hand fuller? Each answer points to a different section below.
Add fullness back
If your main complaint is hollow, thin-looking skin, you need volume. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that one filler, calcium hydroxylapatite, has FDA approval to treat the hands. With this filler you see more fullness immediately, and the results last 6 months to 1 year.
Plan around that timeline. A result that fades in 6 months to a year means a repeat visit if you want to keep it. Ask what a repeat costs before you start. For a general explanation of how these products work, read the overview of dermal fillers and bring it to your visit.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery describes a second route. Microlipoinjection can result in a younger, more refreshed appearance of the treatment area for as long as three years, and it is particularly effective in areas of significant volume loss such as the face and hands. Ask your provider whether it fits your case and what the process involves.
Tighten loose skin and deal with veins
Loose skin and visible veins can look like one problem, but the fixes are different. For loose skin, the American Academy of Dermatology points to radiofrequency, a procedure that sends heat deep into the skin and can tighten it. It also says most people need only one treatment on their hands.
For veins that stand out, the same source says laser treatment is often the go-to treatment today. Your dermatologist inserts a laser fiber into the vein and then fires the laser. This destroys the vein, which will gradually disappear.
Read that last line carefully. The vein does not vanish at once. Ask how long the fading takes and what the hand looks like in between.
Pick a method for age spots
Spots have the longest list of options. The American Academy of Dermatology says a board-certified dermatologist can effectively lighten or remove age spots on your hands with cryosurgery (freezing), laser therapy, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, or skin-lightening creams and lotions. For a plain summary of each, read what can get rid of age spots first.
Cost and speed pull in opposite directions. The same source says the creams and lotions take the longest to deliver results, but they cost less. If you want a faster result, expect to choose one of the procedures instead.
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery explains how one of those procedures works. Cryosurgery fades age spots by freezing them with a liquid nitrogen solution, causing the darkened skin to peel away from the body. Ask what the hand looks like while that skin peels, and how many days you should plan around.
Protect the hands every day
Treatment is only half of the plan. The American Academy of Dermatology says applying sunscreen to your hands every day can prevent wrinkly skin on your hands.
That is a short directive with a long payoff. Keep sunscreen where you wash your hands and where you keep your car keys.
Questions to bring to a provider
Your goal is a plan you can follow. Write down the answers to these questions before you agree to anything.
- Which problem am I treating: spots, volume, loose skin or veins?
- Is the person treating me a board-certified dermatologist?
- How long will the result last, and what does a repeat visit cost?
- What will my hands look like during the first days after treatment?
- How many sessions should I plan for?
Your hands may show more than one of these changes. If they do, ask which one to treat first, whether any should wait, and how the plan fits together. Ask for each answer in plain terms and write it down. If a term is unfamiliar, ask for it to be repeated in simpler words.
For a longer discussion of the options and what hands can look like afterward, the AAD page on what can make my hands look younger is a good reference to keep open during the consultation.
Choose one problem and start there
Pick the one change that bothers you most. If it is spots, start with the list of methods and the cost trade-off. If it is volume, ask about fillers and fat. If it is loose skin or veins, ask about radiofrequency and laser.
Add daily sunscreen no matter which you choose. Then book a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist and bring your questions with you.