Hands have long been immortalized in Western culture. Whether it is the Beatles singing about wanting to hold your hand, Romeo rhapsodizing about wishing to caress Juliet's cheek with his hand, or the famous detail of God's outstretched hand reaching toward Adam in Michelangelo's Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, hands have been idealized not only as an expression of love, but also as a symbol of a person's ability to both make and destroy.

Given the importance of hands in Western culture, it should come as no surprise that the number of people opting to rejuvenate the appearance of their hands is on the rise. Dr. Paul Pin has seen many of these patients who want to restore a more youthful look to their hands by filling them out and removing dark aging spots.

What Are the Causes of Aging Hands?

The two most common complaints about the appearance of the hands are loose, wrinkled skin and discolored spots. Loose, wrinkled skin on the hands is generally due to loss of collagen, a natural protein in the body that connects bones together, as well as filling out the body over the skeleton. The body can lose collagen due to either aging or sun exposure. This can result in wrinkled hands with papery skin that particularly emphasizes the veins and bones of the hand.

Discoloration of the skin can also be due to both aging and too much sun exposure. Melanin is the pigment that provides the body with its skin tone. It is found in the upper layer of the skin. If the skin is exposed to direct sunlight on a regular basis, the melanin will clump together, causing an uneven color tone to the skin. These age spots are not related to any type of skin cancer and are harmless.

What Are the Treatments for Aging Hands?

Wrinkled hand skin can be corrected by the same dermal fillers that are used to fill in fine lines and wrinkles on the face: Restylane, Juvederm, and Radiesse. These are all designed to replace the natural collagen that the hands have lost over time. Dr. Pin will inject the dermal filler into the hands to once again fill out the skin, reduce wrinkles, and lessen the appearance of bones and veins. The procedure generally takes no more than half an hour in Dr. Pin's office, and patients can resume normal activities within a day or two. The effects will last anywhere from 18 to 24 months, after which the dermal filler will break down and be reabsorbed into the body. Patients can then opt to have a second procedure done.

Low-level lasers are used to restore a more even skin tone to the hands. The lasers remove the upper layer of the skin with the age spots to reveal newer skin underneath that is not discolored. Of course, Dr. Pin recommends patients keep their hands out of the sun as much as possible following the procedure to avoid recurrence of age spots. A high SPF sun block or gloves will keep the skin out the sun's harmful rays.

Our hands help us express our emotions and show our affection. To schedule a hand rejuvenation consultation, contact Dr. Pin.