Published: March 19, 2021
Last updated: June 03, 2021
The Skinny
Hand rejuvenation treatments sound glorious because they are. Aging and sun exposure results in age spots (or liver spots), prominent veins, and wrinkled, thin (a.k.a. crepey) skin. The hands are one of the first areas to lose their youthful appearance and serve as a telltale sign of age (learn more in our guide to Aging Hand Concerns). Fortunately, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can utilIze a number of treatment options like, injectable fillers, fat transfers, laser skin resurfacing, and vein procedures to correct volume loss, uneven skin tone, and many of the other signs that indicate you’ve lived a while and have probably gotten too much sun.
The Specifics
Who may consider hand rejuvenation procedures?
Aged hands happen because even though your body has amazing self healing properties, time and nature are relentless. Sun damage causes skin to darken. Gravity pulls at elastin and collagen (two critical skin integrity proteins) and makes them degrade. Fat and muscle atrophy, and skin thins making your veins pop out even if you haven’t just finished a lifting session. Use the overview below, and the happy thoughts from above, to specifically identify your concern.- Age Spots: These are the hyperpigmented areas that appear on the back of the hands and then seem to multiply exponentially.
- Crepey Skin: Thin, wrinkled, and worn. That’s how we’d describe crepey skin-nowhere near as nice as crepes.
- Veins: These blood vessels look like they are trying to escape your body. It’s not their fault-everyone else just got smaller.
What can you expect from hand rejuvenation procedures?
Hand rejuvenation techniques can target a few different areas. They can promote the body to produce collagen and elastin, enhance the surrounding soft tissues, or compel the body to initiate the healing response. Depending on your unique concern there are a few available options.- Injectables: Hand rejuvenation with fat transfer and hand rejuvenation with dermal fillers allows for soft tissue augmentation to restore volume to the hands.
- Laser Therapy: Laser hand rejuvenation and pulsed dye laser therapies encourage skin tightening and smooth skin appearance.
- Vein Treatment: Sclerotherapy targets overly prominent veins for reabsorption by the body.
The invasiveness and permanence of these procedures is dependent on the technique used. Most of these are minimally invasive with no more than a few days or weeks recovery time. They last months to years and usually require maintenance treatments.
When should you consider a hand rejuvenation procedure?
Signs of aging hands (like sun spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and prominent veins) will affect everyone at different times. No one is immune, however, and a good candidate is in generally good health, has ruled out any underlying medical conditions (all dark spots should be checked by your primary care physician or dermatologist for skin cancer), and have reasonable expectations of the procedure.Why should you consider a hand rejuvenation procedure?
The hands tell all. That’s not exactly a common saying, but it should be. Hands will be some of the first body parts to show aging, and given the amount of abuse they take it could be sooner than you’d like. Gloves are cool, but you should only wear them to protect from the cold, and not from people trying to guess your age.Injectables for Hand Rejuvenation
Hand rejuvenation via injectables restores volume and plumps the soft tissue.- Hand Rejuvenation with Dermal Fillers
- Overview: Injections of hyaluronic based fillers (like Radiesse®) to enhance volume.
- Cost: $700 - $2,500
- Recovery & Results: Very mild bruising and swelling for a day or two. Results are immediate and can last up to one year.
- Hand Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer
- Overview: Liposuction will be used to harvest fat from an unwanted area to be injected into the hands.
- Cost: $3,000 - $6,000
- Recovery & Results: Swelling, bruising, and tenderness for one to two weeks. Final results will appear after about six months.
Laser Therapy for Hand Rejuvenation
Lasers (yes, the same ones used to even out your face) can reverse signs of aging on your hands, too.- Laser Hand Rejuvenation
- Overview: Heat and light therapy encourages skin rejuvenation and promotes elasticity.
- Cost: $1,000 - $3,000
- Recovery & Results: Redness, rawness, and irritation for a week or so. Results will be subject to regular aging as time progresses.
- Pulsed Dye Laser
- Overview: Specifically targets blood vessels for dissolution and resorption.
- Cost: $400 - $800
- Recovery & Results: Bruising and swelling for a few weeks. May need multiple sessions. Maintenance usually every six months.
Vein Treatments for Hand Rejuvenation
Vein treatments can help with hand rejuvenation by eliminating the overly prominent veins that make it appear as if you are wearing a tourniquet on your wrist.- Sclerotherapy
- Overview: A solution is inserted into prominent veins to stop blood flow and encourage the body to resorb the vein.
- Cost: $100 - $400
- Recovery & Results: Minimal side effects for a day or two. Multiple treatments may be required. The body will naturally compensate by producing new veins.
The Takeaway
Cosmetic procedures for hand rejuvenation are simple, effective, and can have a major impact on people’s ability to guess your age. It’s a win, win, win. Laser skin resurfacing, injectable fillers, fat transfers, and vein procedures can reduce telltale signs of aging and restore the youthful appearance of smooth, toned hands. If you do have dark spots on your hands, be sure to have them checked out by your provider, as skin cancer is common and best caught early.
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