HELP FOR AGING HANDS
In my book everyone deserves to find their happily ever so I was delighted to see more than a few of my Facebook friends get engaged this past year. They showed off some gorgeous ring shots on their wall, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that some of those photos would have looked so much better if the hands they were on did not look so…OLD.
It might sound catty but I know I’m not alone in my opinion. Social media is actually changing the way people see themselves and many a plastic surgeon has seen an uptick in business thanks to patients coming in and showing them selfies that pinpoint exactly what they’re unhappy with.
Check out your own hands. Do you have age spots, veins, crepey or dry skin? Whether you like it or not, those factors make you look older than you need to look. Because the skin on your hands is incredibly thin and they’re exposed to the elements much more than other areas of the body, the hands tend to age sooner. Fortunately, the day to day things you do can make a positive difference. And if you’re looking for a big change, your doctor has got what it takes. Here, how to make your hands look much, much better:
APPLY SUNSCREEN. Protect your hands from hyper pigmentation, age spots and other forms of sun damage by applying sun protection. A good rule of thumb is to apply it when you’re doing your morning “getting ready” routine and reapply throughout the day when necessary. You’ll like Avon Anew Clinical Absolute Spot Correcting Hand Cream SPF 15 ($17).
WEAR GLOVES. When cleaning your home, doing dishes or yard work and when you’re out in the cold, always wear protective gloves to help prevent dry, damaged skin.
HYDRATE OFTEN. Use your sun protective hand cream throughout the day and also keep hand cream on your bedside table so you dont forget to soften, smooth and nourish while you sleep. Try L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream ($28).
SEE THE DOCTOR. Regular daily maintenance should do a lot to keep your hands looking their best but if you feel the need to take things up a notch and really reverse the look of aged hands, a visit to the doctor is in order. Many in-office procedures used on the face and other areas of the body can be tailored for the hands to give them the youth boost you’re seeking. These include but are not limited to the following:
-Laser Resurfacing: Brown spots, sun spots, age spots, liver spots, hyper-pigmentation — whatever you choose to call them — can be broken up and eliminated through the use of lasers that seek out darker pigmented skin.
-Injectable Fillers: Fillers like Restylane, Radiesse and even fat can immediately add volume to the back of the hands for a more youthful and supple look. They’re injected directly beneath the skin to diminish the look of veins and bony joints or tendons. You can expect results to last up to two years or longer.
-Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion: Both of these methods can help improve surface issues like rough, scaly skin and hyper-pigmentation issues.
A board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist can help you decide what options are right for you (click here to find one in your area) and no matter what you decide, strict post-treatment sun protection and skin care is a given if you want to keep your hands looking their best.
Note: For more of my stories on aesthetic procedures, check out my blog posts on Smart Beauty Guide.
(featured image via pinterest)
