Like the skin on the neck and chest, the skin on the back of your hands is extremely thin and delicate. Add the surprising amount of time it has spent soaking up sun over the years (just think about how often you’re driving, with your hands propped up on the steering wheel!)—and you have a recipe for accelerated aging. “If you don’t protect your hands well with sunscreen, you’ll get that thinned-out, crepey, spottled look,” says Kenneth Mark, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. But you can keep them looking young and smooth by targeting two of the most common aging-related concerns.
Keep hands moist
As you probably already know, well-hydrated skin instantly looks less wrinkly…but we’ll repeat it one more time for good measure: When you add moisture, that moisture seeps in and plumps the skin, temporarily smoothing its surface. So give your hands repeated TLC. “Areas like the hands need more regular lubrication than the face, because the face has a lot more oil glands on it,” says Paul J. Frank, MD, founder and director of The Fifth Avenue Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center in New York City. Moisturize morning and night, and toss a hydrating hand cream in your purse to re-up every time you wash your hands—which could cause extra drying.
Repair skin overnight
If thin, crepey skin on your hands is your biggest aging issue, you could consider using a collagen-stimulating anti-aging serum or cream, says Dr. Frank. But know this: It might not be your best use of money. “The further you go away from your heart—like the hands and the feet—the less the circulation, and the more difficult they are to treat,” he says. “That even goes for in-office procedures, like lasers.” Instead, Dr. Frank usually recommends this easy (and cheap!) at-home treatment for his patients: First, put on a heavier, petroleum jelly-based ointment before bed, then slip on a pair of cotton gloves or socks and go to sleep. “For women who complain about crinkly or dry skin, it really works wonders to restore suppleness,” he says.
Age-Proof Your Hands
It’s not just your face that can give away your age—your hands can also be a telltale sign. Here’s how to keep them smooth and wrinkle-free.
The Makeup Trick
Looking to instantly camouflage fine lines and age spots? Add a pea-size amount of liquid (not powder) foundation to a dollop of hand cream and rub it over the top of your hands, suggests L’Oréal Paris consulting makeup artist Collier Strong. This will help even out your skin tone and smooth the look of wrinkles.
Go for a hand cream with SPF 15 or higher to block harmful UV rays, which cause skin-plumping proteins like collagen and elastin to break down quickly, explains dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
The Medical Solution
“Over time, the skin on the top of our hands becomes thin and loses fat, making veins more prominent,” Dr. Zeichner says. To combat this, most dermatologists recommend an injectable filler like Radiesse, which adds volume to skin. The results last up to two years, but they do come at a steep price: $800 or more.
If that’s not in the budget, smooth an eye cream over the back of your hands at night, suggests Dr. Zeichner. The skin under our eyes tends to be very thin, so a cream specially made to plump it up can do the same for your hands.
The Home Remedy
A hand massage isn’t just relaxing—it also increases blood flow, tightening up sagging skin, explains Skyy Hadley, celebrity manicurist and owner of As U Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, NJ. Once a week, shake out your hands for one minute to loosen them up, then put three to four drops of olive oil onto your left palm. Using small circular movements and medium pressure, work your right thumb over your palm and up and down each finger. Turn over your hand and repeat the process, then repeat with your other hand. Bonus: The olive oil deeply hydrates, helping to keep skin smooth and supple.
BDST: 1740 HRS, December 09, 2014
