As we age, we often fret over lines and
wrinkles appearing on our face. In fact, facelifts are one of the most frequently
requested procedures here at Ocean Clinic Marbella.
However, there is another part of our body,
which can give away our age just as accurately – our hands. Hands can even make
us look older than we actually are, because they can be prone to premature
aging.
The good news is, there are an increasing
number of hand rejuvenating treatments that can turn back the hands of time.
Read on to find out more…
Why hands can age prematurely
Hands are the workhorses of the body – in
constant use and exposed to sunlight, water and soap more than any other part
of the anatomy.
In addition to this, the skin on the backs of
the hands is thinner than elsewhere, which is why hands can age even faster
than the face. Those with pale skin are particularly prone to premature ageing
of the hands because sun exposure plays a big role in the ageing process.
The first signs of age tend to show on our
hands around age 30. At this point skin-cell production decreases by 10%,
making skin less efficient at repairing itself. Skin can become wrinkly and crepe-like
and dry out more easily.
And because there
is very little fat on the backs of the hands, they can also quickly lose plumpness
as collagen and elastin breakdown. This causes veins, tendons and knuckles to
look more prominent, giving the appearance of old hands.
Rejuvenating treatments for ageing hands
Ocean Clinic Marbella offers three different
treatments that help improve the appearance of ageing hands:
·
Injectable fillers
·
Restylane
Skinboosters
·
Fat grafting
·
Chemical peel
All three are non-surgical cosmetic procedures,
performed on an outpatient basis and require no downtime.
Injectable fillers
To plump out hands that have lost volume we can
use the same wrinkle-filling injections that are used on the face, such as
JUVEDERM,
Restylane or Emervel.
Once injected, the filler is massaged across the back of the hand
to plump up and fill in the entire area, and smooth out wrinkling. It is a very
low risk treatment and takes less than 20 minutes.
Results can last significantly longer than fillers injected in the
face because the back of the hand has fewer muscles and less muscle activity
capable of breaking down the filler. Patients may only need to visit for a top-up
every couple of years.
Restylane Skinboosters
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| Before |
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| After |
Restylane Skinboosters can be
used to improve the quality of the skin on the hands, increasing its
smoothness, elasticity, thickness and firmness.
Each treatment involves a
series of hydrating microinjections of long-lasting hyaluronic acid, also
called stabilised HA, a water-loving substance found naturally in the body that
maintains hydration in the skin.
The hyaluronic acid is
injected into the skin over a course of three treatments, each approximately
four weeks apart. Results last around six months and the treatment can also be
used alongside fillers to achieve an enhanced result.
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| Before |
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| After |
Fat grafting
We can also replace lost
volume in the backs of your hands with your own fat.
Donor fat is taken from
another area of the body, such as the stomach or thighs. Only a small amount of
fat is required and it is removed with a very fine needle-like cannula.
It it is transferred to the
hands via microinjection; tiny droplets are injected, ensuring the fat is
spread smoothly and evenly across the backs of the hands.
Using a patient’s own fat as
a filler offers a number of benefits. The fat is transplanted as living cells –
40 to 60% of which are able to obtain a blood supply and become permanent
tissue. This means that the appearance of the hands is improved permanently.
In addition to filling and
plumping, the transplanted stem cells also help improve the texture of the skin,
improving the appearance of crepeness.
Chemical peel
Liver spots, also known as
age spots, are another sign of ageing hands. These brown freckles are caused by
sun exposure and are very common amongst sun worshipers here on the Costa del Sol!
To help reduce the
appearance of liver spots, and also fine lines, we can carry out a light
chemical peel. A chemical peel removes the top layers of skin, to reveal new
skin underneath and stimulate collagen production.
You will probably need two to
three treatments at two to four week intervals to achieve optimum results. The
treatment is very easy to carry out and will not prevent you from using your
hands. Your hands will, however, be especially sensitive to the sun after
treatment, so it is important to protect them with a high SPF sun cream.
Keeping your hands youthful
Frequent washing of
hands and exposure to the elements strips them of their protective oil mantle,
so it’s vital to replace lost moisture with a good hand cream.
Look for creams with
ingredients such as shea butter, macadamia nut oil, olive oil, vitamin E, and
glycerine, and moisturise your hands at least once a day (just before bed is
best).
To keep hands
looking young it’s also important to protect them from the sun. If you’re going
outside (even if it’s cloudy) apply sunscreen to your hands, and re-apply each
time you wash them.
Would you like younger looking hands? Contact us for a consultation and
find out what we can do for you.
