Treating Aging Hands – Multi Stem Approach
Hand rejuvenation treatments turn back the clock by reducing wrinkles, minimizing prominent veins, fading brown spots, and improving skin tone. Our hands are one of the first areas to reveal physical aging. The skin of the hands is typically thinner with less subcutaneous fat compared to other parts of the body. They’re exposed to the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays day in and day out.
Step 1: Replace lost volume / Stimulate collagen
As we age, we gain fat where we don’t want it and we lose fat where we need it! Seems unfair. Subcutaneous fat keeps the hands looking youthful and smoother, but we lose this fat over time as we age. This fat loss allows our tendons and veins to show through the thinning skin. A collagen stimulating filler like Radiesse will help restore lost volume while stimulating collagen and elastin at the same time.
How is this performed?
Hyperdilute Radiesse: Radiesse is diluted using a combination of lidocaine and saline to make the product more fluid and comfortable. This mixture is then injected safely into the back of the hands using a microcannula. After injecting the Radiesse, the hands are massaged to smooth and spread the product evenly. You will see an immediate diminishing of the appearance of veins, tendons and bones. Since. Radiesse has been shown to last up to 2 years and beyond.
Step 2: Treat age spots and pigment
Most people don’t think about applying sunblock to their hands, but ultraviolet sun damage is a major factor for aging hands. In addition to the breakdown of fat, collagen and elastin, UV rays can increase uneven pigment production over time.
There are several modalities to treat unsightly pigmentation:
Chemical Peels
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) – IPL is a light based energy device that emits wavelengths which are absorbed by pigment. The initial treatment breaks up surface pigment causing it to peel off. Further treatments reach deeper layers causing breakdown of pigment which the immune system removes.
Fractional Erbium Laser Resurfacing is a very effective tool used for hand rejuvenation. It resurfaces the top layer of skin and causes some skin tightening at the same time. Fractional means the laser beam is split into microscopic columns allowing for quicker healing and much less downtime as compared to full laser ablation.
Energy Based Devices: Combination treatments often work best for the treatment of aging hands. While dermal fillers and collagen stimulators treat the problem from beneath the skin, the Erbium Laser and RF-Microneedling treat the skin surface and stimulate collagen as well. Energy based devices tighten the skin gradually over time and improve skin texture and tone.
