Your hands age just like the rest of your body. Despite being in a prominent place, they are often overlooked and neglected when it comes to skin care.
While most of your body parts are well protected from UV radiation, including your face through sunscreen and other SPF lotions, your hands are often left exposed to direct solar radiation which destroys the skin’s elastin, causing sagginess, discoloration, and wrinkles, among other problems. Over exposure to sunlight also causes the skin to lose collagen that keeps it soft and supple.
As you get older, the natural fat cushions in your hands also decrease. Since the skin on the back of your hands is very thin, loss of fat padding leaves all structures exposed, including veins, tendons, and bones, giving you the aged, bony look.
So, how can you avoid having aged, granny hands?
- Sun protection
It is estimated that 90 percent of skin wrinkles and discoloration is from the sun. Your hands are just as susceptible to solar damage as your face. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of around 25 on your hands to protect them from UVA radiation from the sun that causes skin aging. If you are spending a lot of time in sunlight, re-apply the sunscreen every 2 hours.
- Apply lotions with antioxidants
Prolonged exposure to sunlight damages the collagen and elastin in the skin at the back of your hands, and also leads to the development of dark spots. Applying a serum or cream that has antioxidants will help to prevent any damage from UV radiation reaching your skin.
- Creams with collagen stimulators
Your hands naturally lose fat as you age, which leaves your veins and bones exposed. To reduce the effect, use creams with ingredients like retinol, peptides, and growth factors, which tend to restore collagen in the skin.
- Physical protection
Besides applying topical creams, you should consider wearing gloves whenever you are gardening, doing housework, and exposed to very cold weather. Gloves also help to protect your nails from damage.
- Exfoliating
This is a vital part of proper skin care as it helps to remove dead skin cells, revealing new skin underneath. The same applies to hand care, to help reduce the rough, dull look of your hands. However, you should be gentle, because the skin is not as thick as that in your body or feet.
See Dr. Golshani’s 3 Daily Habits for Healthy Skin.
Lastly, you should consider switching your beauty and skin care products to natural products. Some of the chemicals used in soaps and other cosmetic products can irritate and inflame the skin at the back of your hands. So, consider switching them to keep your hands looking healthy and youthful, and of course, drink plenty of water.
Dr. Golshani’s Skincare Products & Recommendations
Dr. Golshani offers a handful of skin care products that will help prevent aged-looking hands as they have been studied and thoroughly evaluated by Dr. Golshani himself for ingredients and efficacy. They are recommended to many of his own patients who have reported excellent results.