Are your hands giving away your age? Here’s how to keep them looking younger.
When a person asks Dr Steven Liew, plastic surgeon from Shape Clinic in Darlinghurst, Sydney, how old he thinks they are, he just looks at their hands. We are usually so focused on treating signs of ageing on our face and neck that we tend to forget that our hands are often the real barometer of our age.
As we age, our hands lose volume and start to look crepey, thanks to loss of fat and elastin and thinning skin. Hyperpigmented areas from sun damage and the effects of time can also appear.
In addition to sunscreen, a quality hand cream is the first line of defence. Some of our favourites are Campagnie de Provence Anise Patchouli Hand Balm, $34.95, Sisley Restorative Hand Cream, $125, MOR Marshmallow Hand and Nail Care, $34.95 and Emporium Classic Belladonna Hand Cream, $28.95, La Roche-Posay Cicoplast Mains Hand Cream, $18.95, and L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, $47.
Peels, such as glycolic acid peels, are also beneficial hand treatments to help improve early hyperpigmentation. Murad offers a full range of glycolic peels, and offers excellent results in reducing dark spots and improving the skin’s texture. A course of peels is suggested every year.
Dr Liew says he rarely sees younger people coming in to see about treating their hands. The usual time, he says, is when they attend to have treatments for their face and neck – by then they often have quite severe ageing of their hands.
Dr Liew individualises his hand treatments based on the condition of the patient’s hands. In his professional toolkit, he may recommend a course of biostimulating injections with Profhilo, which improves skin tone, texture, hydration and elasticity, and helps to stimulate collagen over the longer term. He may also use dermal fillers to plump up the appearance of the skin on the hands. Results last 6 to 12 months, depending on the individual.
If there is marked pigmentation, IPL or laser treatments are also beneficial. Above all else, wearing sunscreen on your hands is essential, such as La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Spray Sunscreen SPF50+, $39.95.
You can also help to camouflage the signs of ageing hands by making sure your nails are always well manicured. A slick of polish will give a more pleasing and positive aesthetic appearance to your hands. Try Revlon Ultra HD Snap Polish, $13.95 or Revlon Super Lustrous Nail Enamel, $15.95, OPI Infinite Shine Polish, $23.95 or Mavala Mini Color Polishes, $8.95 each. CBM
