The hands are one of the first areas of the body to show signs of aging due to constant exposure to sun, chemicals and environmental factors. As we lose collagen and subcutaneous fat, hands tend to look more bony, with prominent veins and tendons.
In addition, age spots and thin skin become more evident. Fortunately, there are several techniques to rejuvenate them, from preventive treatments to advanced medical-aesthetic procedures that restore a youthful and healthy appearance to the hands.
Causes of aging hands
With the passage of time, the hands are one of the parts of the body that show the most evidence of aging, due to constant exposure to external factors and the natural loss of collagen and elastin. The main causes of hand aging include:
- Sun exposure: accumulated UV damage accelerates the appearance of age spots and weakens collagen fibers, contributing to loss of skin elasticity.
- Loss of subcutaneous fat: with aging, hands lose volume, causing veins and tendons to become more visible.
- Environmental factors: cold, wind, chemicals or frequent hand washing can dry out the skin and accelerate aging.
- Hormonal changes: in women, the decrease in estrogen during menopause can reduce collagen production and accelerate the aging process.
Obvious signs of aging hands
Some of the most common signs include:
- Age spots: also known as sun spots or lentigines, they usually appear as dark areas on the back of the hands.
- Thin skin and wrinkles: the skin becomes thinner and shows fine wrinkles and sagging.
- Loss of volume: hands may look “bony” or with more prominent tendons and veins.
- Rough or dry texture: the skin loses smoothness and may become rougher to the touch.
How to prevent hand aging
Although aging is inevitable, there are measures that can help delay the signs on the hands:
- Daily sun protection: applying sunscreen to the hands, especially when outdoors, can prevent UV damage and the appearance of spots.
- Constant hydration: using moisturizing creams with repairing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid or antioxidants helps to keep the skin soft and protected.
- Gentle exfoliation: exfoliating the skin of the hands regularly helps to remove dead skin cells and improve texture.
- Use of gloves: protecting hands when doing household chores or when exposed to cold or windy weather can help prevent damage.