HAND REJUVENATION TREATMENTS
For many people, the first association to aging is a dwindling physical appearance. That aesthetic decline is best visible on the skin and more so on the areas exposed to the damaging effect of the environment.
It is no surprise that the face and hands are the first to show the signs of aging, such as wrinkles, saggy skin, liver spots, sun damage, and so on.
The face, of course, is an aesthetic priority for most, but the hands are also attracting more attention lately. Hand rejuvenation treatments are gaining popularity using well-proven facial aesthetic techniques. The results are equally satisfying, too.
What is Hand Rejuvenation?
Hand rejuvenation treatments aim to improve the aesthetics of the skin covering the hands. They can also make other hand features, such as bones and veins, look less prominent.
In simple words, hand rejuvenation procedures are a group of minimally invasive and surgical treatments. They focus on the restoration of a youthful appearance of the hands. The aesthetic techniques in use include:
- Dermal fillers
- Fat transfers
- Laser treatments
- Vein removal
- Chemical peels
- Skin excision
Who’s a Good Candidate?
All healthy non-smokers with age-related hand issues, such as liver spots, wrinkles, thin skin, and veiny hands, are good candidates for rejuvenation procedures.
The type of hand rejuvenation is also a valuable factor. Minimally invasive treatments have different requirements from surgical procedures.
Patients with a history of allergic reactions and bleeding disorders should avoid all unnecessary medical treatments. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and individuals with unrealistic outcome expectations are not good candidates for hand rejuvenation.
Types of Hand Rejuvenation Treatments
Hands tend to show their age. Due to constant use and exposure to the environment, they get older faster.
The aging process causes loss of fatty tissue. It thins out the skin on the back of the hands and makes the veins more prominent, while the sun damage leads to liver spots and other unwanted changes.
So, any hands rejuvenation treatment has to address several issues in a quality way. These issues include:
- Excess skin
- Loss of volume
- Skin pigmentation problems (sun spots)
- Prominent veins and knuckles
There are both minimally invasive and surgical options available. Here are some of the best ones:
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Lasers can help rejuvenate the skin covering the hands. The principle is the same as with the face and other parts of the body. The best thing about laser skin resurfacing is its dual effect.
When laser light removes the top layer of the skin, it kick-starts the natural regeneration process. That facilitates the growth of new skin cells, fixing the existing damage.
However, lasers also stimulate the production of elastin and collagen deep in the skin. That produces a lasting effect adding volume to the skin over time.
Dermal Fillers
Injectable fillers can restore the lost volume and elasticity. Consequently, dermal fillers address the issues with the saggy and wrinkly skin of the hands. The added bulkiness makes the bones, tendons, and veins less visible.
Most of these dermal fillers have a temporary effect. The same fillers are in use for the face, neck, and hands.
Hyaluronic acid and collagen top the list.
However, there are also some long-lasting solutions, such as calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). CaHA fillers are a relatively novel technique in hands rejuvenation. It is an inorganic matter, naturally present in teeth and bones.
The filler is colorless and highly elastic. It blends in very well with other tissues and produces instantly highly satisfying improvements.
Fat Transfers
Autologous fat injections are another filler-like hand rejuvenation method. It is also a longer-lasting solution in comparison to classic dermal fillers.
The procedure involves harvesting the fat from other areas of the body and transferring it to the hands. The harvesting part carries a risk of infections, scarring, bruising, and other complications. That’s because fat grafts are usually taken from the abdomen or the upper thighs, using invasive techniques.
Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion
Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can help improve some hand-aging issues, such as dark spots. However, they cannot make up for the loss of volume and elasticity.
The goal is the same, but the method is different between chemical peels and microdermabrasion. The first technique uses aggressive chemicals and the second one mechanically abrades the skin.
These techniques remove superficial layers of the skin and boost the natural regenerative process. That removes dead skin cells and enables "new" skin to form, free of imperfections and age-related damage signs.
Vein Removal
Veins are a prominent feature of aging hands. Often, they are the number one aesthetic issue. While minimally invasive procedures can make them less visible, surgery can make them go away.
Sclerotherapy and phlebectomy can diminish or remove bulging veins. Sclerotherapy uses a foam-like solution to divert the blood from prominent veins and make them less visible. Phlebectomy is a surgical technique that extracts large hand veins permanently.
Skin Excision
Skin excision is another invasive surgical hands rejuvenation procedure. It involves cutting and removing parts of excess skin to improve issues with sagginess.
Side Effects
The biggest concern is the aesthetically unappealing result. Other side effects may include localized bruising, swelling, itchiness, etc. However, severe complications are rare.
With surgical procedures, such as vein removal and skin excision, side effects may include:
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Infections
- Allergic reactions
Aftercare and Recovery
Recovery and aftercare depend on the type of procedure. Less invasive treatments usually have no downtime and require little more than quality sun protection.
Surgical treatments can limit the use of hands for a time after the surgery. The recovery can take several weeks, and side effects, such as bruising, swelling, discomfort, and stiffness are possible.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking to improve the physical appearance of your hands, the good news is there are many options. These are all well-proven minimally invasive or surgical procedures, such as hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, chemical peels, or laser therapy.
However, keep in mind that functionality comes before aesthetic appeal. Talk to board-certified aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery experts to ensure you’re choosing the best possible option.
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