There are different factors that can lead to a worsening of the appearance of the skin on the hands. Frequent washing, the use of hydroalcoholic gels or gloves in certain professions, or the cold, can alter the skin’s barrier function, causing dryness and cracking. However, we know that the use of specific cosmetics (soap-free cleansers, frequent moisturising) will improve and reverse this problem.
Why does the skin on our hands age?
The factor most implicated in premature skin ageing, especially in exposed areas (face, neck, décolleté and back of hands), is exposure to ultraviolet radiation over the years.
Sun exposure leads to collagen degeneration, which causes skin thinning and loss of skin elasticity. In addition, sun spots appear progressively, which are small, benign brownish spots that are another marker of the sun damage we have received throughout our lives. Naturally, over the years, the skin loses moisture and subcutaneous fatty deposits are reabsorbed.
The first signs of ageing on the skin on the back of the hands will appear around the age of 40, especially if sunscreen has not been used consistently. This skin will become progressively more fragile and thinner, and the underlying structures such as the veins or the extensor tendons of the fingers will become more evident.
What factors influence the ageing of the skin on the hands?
The ageing of the skin on the back of the hands is subject to:
- The genetics of each person
- The colour of our skin (phototype)
- Accumulated sun exposure over the years, depending on our work or leisure activities
- Use of hand protection (either sunscreen creams or physical barriers such as gloves).
- The amount of subcutaneous fat deposit
What treatments improve hand ageing?
- Laser and light sources The definitive removal of spots on the back of the hands can be done with pulsed light or (IPL), Q-Switched laser and picosecond laser. The light emitted by these devices is selectively captured by the spots or lentigines of the skin, producing a superficial burn, which will turn into a crust and subsequently cause it to lighten or disappear. More than one session may be necessary, and it is usually advisable to have further sessions in the future as new spots appear over the years. Pulsed light also has the ability to treat small vascular lesions and induce the formation of new collagen, so the overall result of the skin on the back of the hands may be superior to that treated with other types of lasers. The dermatologist will recommend one tool or another depending on the type of blemish, the patient’s phototype and the response to previous treatments.
- HYALURONIC ACID The loss of fatty tissue on the back of the hands can be improved by the infiltration of filler materials such as hyaluronic acid. This must be fluid, easily mouldable and must adapt to the movements of the hands. We are interested in rehydrating and thickening the skin, so that the surface is more even, the underlying veins and tendons are less visible, improving the elasticity and appearance of the skin. This procedure is usually tolerated without anaesthesia, and is performed using a technique of superficial micropunctures or by using a cannula and making linear deposits. The results usually last between 12 and 18 months, depending on the material used.
- Mesotherapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Although the result is not usually as spectacular and long-lasting as with the two previous techniques, procedures such as mesotherapy (infiltration of a combination of active ingredients with antioxidants, moisturisers and depigmenting agents in micropunctures) and PRP (injection of the plasma in our own blood which is rich in platelets and other growth factors, promoting the regeneration and repair of the tissues where it is applied) may be useful. Their effects are less evident and do not have the capacity to significantly increase skin thickness, although they do produce a temporary improvement in the luminosity and appearance of the skin.
- Peelings Some peelings can be used to improve the quality of the skin or attenuate solar lentigines, but the skin on the hands is thinner and more delicate than that of the facial region (the area where this technique is classically used), which limits the depth and type of peeling that can be used, and therefore its effectiveness. They can improve the luminosity and texture of the skin, and even fade some superficial lentigines, and are best used in combination with other techniques depending on the case.
How to prevent or mitigate premature ageing of the hands?
- Maintain barrier function by using mild cleansers
- Wash with lukewarm water, avoiding very hot water.
- Avoid intense friction during drying.
- Apply emollients or moisturisers frequently, especially in the cold months.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from the cold and the sun.
- Wear gloves when in contact with irritating products.
- Use daily sunscreen on the back of the hands.
