Given the work they do, it’s no wonder your hands seem to age faster than the rest of your body. But there are several things you can do to keep your hands young. Most of you follow a skin care routine for your face, but you often forget about your hands, and that’s a mistake for two reasons: nature and nurture. Keep reading this article from The Dermo Lab in collaboration with the dermatologist Dr. Roaa Elsebaei to learn why hands age quickly and how to fight hand aging yourself.
What makes your hands look older?
Aging skin is a natural part of the aging process. Here are some factors that can make your hands look older:
1- Wrinkles
Wrinkles are a common part of the aging process; they can develop on the face and other areas, including the hands. As you age, the skin becomes drier, thinner, and less elastic. This combination of factors makes the skin less flexible and less resistant to damage, which leads to the formation of lines and wrinkles. (1) According to Dr. Roaa Elsebaei, wrinkles normally begin at age 40.
UV radiation is part of the natural energy produced by the sun. There are two types of UV radiation: UVA and UVB. UVB is linked to skin burns, while UVA exposure can accelerate skin aging. UV rays break down collagen and elastin proteins, which weakens the skin and makes it more vulnerable to sagging and wrinkles. (1)
2- Loose skin
As you age, the gradual loss of collagen and elastin can lead to a loss of skin firmness which can lead to sagging skin on the back of your hands. (2)
3- Age spots
Age spots or “sunspots” are darker spots that usually develop on areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun. With age, these spots can increase in size. Although they are harmless, they can cause discomfort. (3)
4- Dry skin
With age, skin cell turnover begins to slow down and the skin produces less natural oils. This can lead to dry skin on the face and body, including the hands. (1)
In addition, frequent hand washing with hot water removes the natural oils that lubricate your skin and protect it from dry, cracked surfaces. (4)
Keep reading to find out how to get rid of wrinkles on your hands.
How to keep your hands soft and wrinkle-free?
What can you do if you’ve noticed that your hands are looking older than you’d like? Below are some lifestyle changes that can help you keep your hands looking great.
- Manage stress
Stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which can destroy collagen in the skin. This can cause signs of aging skin, such as sagging and wrinkles. (5)
- Apply a hand cream
To keep your skin healthy and avoid wrinkles, it needs to be moisturized. Regular application of hand cream will provide your hands with the necessary ingredients and moisture to avoid wrinkled hands. This can prevent dryness and help the skin look and feel smoother.
Our advice is to apply one of the following formulas that will keep your skin soft, smooth, and glowing.
Eau Thermale Avène TriXera Nutrition Nutri-Fluid Lotion
Ducray Ictyane Hydrating Body Lotion
- Apply sunscreen
Being in the sun is always fun, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for your skin. The easiest way to protect your skin from the sun is to use products that offer a sun protection factor (SPF).
Applying sunscreen to your hands daily can help prevent or slow down skin aging. After washing your hands, apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to your hands every day before you go out. (6)
You can try our dermatologist-tested sunscreen that offers optimal sun protection without clogging pores.
Eau Thermale Avène Very High Protection Fluid SPF 50+
- Wear hand protection
Wearing gloves under certain circumstances can help protect hands and give them a youthful appearance. Dr. Roaa Elsebaei points out that wearing gloves can actually delay the wrinkle formation process.
For example, wearing warm gloves during the colder months helps prevent the skin on the hands from becoming dry and flaky. This helps reduce the formation of lines and wrinkles.
- Quit smoking
Smoking reduces the levels of collagen and elastin in the dermis, which is the inner layer of the skin. The decrease in collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis leads to sagging and loss of elasticity in the skin. Smoking also damages the mechanisms that help repair the skin, leading to increased signs of aging. (7)
- Exfoliate
As you age, your body naturally begins to slow down its exfoliation process. This means that there will be a buildup of dead skin cells, which are unhealthy for the skin. As a result, your skin becomes dry and wrinkles begin to appear. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and softens the wrinkles on your hands.
- Get enough sleep
Your skin needs time to rest to rehydrate. A common cause of dry, wrinkled hands is not giving your skin enough time to rehydrate. Therefore, a good night’s sleep will help reduce wrinkled skin on the hands.
Our advice is to aim for 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep per night, to give the skin time to rehydrate effectively.
There are also other treatment options for aging hands. According to Dr. Roaa Elsebaei, wrinkles on the hands can be reversed by using fillers, dermabrasions, chemical peels, cryotherapy, and laser therapy, as well as maintaining proper hydration with creams and sunscreens.
Summary
As you age, it’s not surprising that your body ages with you. The hands are one of the first parts of the body to age.
While aging hands are not usually a cause for concern, their appearance can be bothersome to some people. Various treatment options can help reduce, reverse and prevent the signs of aging hands. With our knowledge of the causes of hand wrinkles and our tips on how to treat them, your hands will look younger in no time!
Last Updated on February 16, 2024
