If you're looking to knock years off your age, you need to look beyond just face creams. Although most people don't associate hands with an anti-ageing regime, aged hands can instantly add several years to your appearance. The reason: the delicate skin on the back of the hands is particularly prone to premature wrinkles and unsightly veins, which can leave it looking older than the rest of you. But don't throw your (wrinkled) hands up in despair just yet! We've got some treatments and remedies to help you age-proof your hands…
Keep them nourished
Dry skin is the first sign of ageing on hands and can prematurely turn fine lines into deep, irreversible wrinkles. "We wash our hands several times a day and every time we wash them we're stripping the skin of its protective oil shield," says Dr Maria Angelo-Khattar, founder of Aesthetica Clinic in Dubai. That's why our hands call for frequent and intensive moisturising throughout the day. "Look for formulas with hydrating agents like shea butter, macadamia oil, olive oil and vitamin E," she says. She recommends making it a habit to massage the cream into your hands while they're still slightly damp. "It helps to lock the moisture in," explains Dr Angelo-Khattar.
You should also apply a conditioning oil to your nails and the area around them to prevent further dryness. Pay particular attention to the handwash you buy - give it the same thought you would when selecting a face cleanser. "Go for a mild, pH-balanced hand wash, as a harsh formula can strip away a lot of precious moisture with every wash," says Dr Angelo-Khattar.
And always wear gloves while doing the housework or washing up, says José Ginestar, Sisley's scientific director. "It's a good habit to get into as aggressive household chemicals like detergents are very drying," he explains.
Try: Hand Repair MicroZone Treatment, 20 mins, Dh175, Dermalogica on Burj, The Dubai Mall (Call: 04-3398250)
Reduce age spots
Over-exposure to the sun causes photoageing, which shows up as spots and freckles on the hands. "Pick hand moisturisers with active ingredients such as vitamin C to reduce pigmentation," advises Dr Angelo-Khattar.
For those who don't mind a clinical treatment, there are some non-surgical aesthetic procedures like chemical peels or pulsed light therapy that can effectively fade pigmentation on the skin.
But it's also important to prevent further age spots, so don't step outside before you've got a protective sunblock on your hands.
"The key is to avoid exposing hands to direct sunlight as far as possible," says José.
Try: TCA Chemical Peel, 30 mins, Dh300 onwards, Dermalase Clinic (Call: 04-3497880)
Fight premature wrinkles
"There are excess folds of skin on the hands that aid in its finger-flexing grip function and this gives the appearance of loose, aged skin," says Dr Angelo-Khattar. Lack of moisture and sun damage further loosen the skin, making it look even more wrinkled.
One effective way to reverse early wrinkles is to go for in-salon paraffin-wax manis every three weeks. But the key is maintaining the benefits with intensive and frequent hydration at home. If you find it too tiresome to open a separate hand cream tube at night, simply slather your anti-ageing face serum on your hands as well. You'll have to renew your facial supplies a lot more often, but your hands will thank you when soaking up all that goodness from the anti-ageing ingredients!
Try: Booster Glycolic Peel Hand Treatment, 30 mins, Dh250, Eternal Medspa, Jumeirah (Call: 04- 3440008)
Plump them up
The collagen and fat pads in the skin undergo a natural reduction with age and the veins begin to show through more prominently, making hands appear ‘stringy' and skeletal.
"As you age, make sure that you are getting sufficient proteins, vitamin C and iron in your diet, as they all aid in the body's natural collagen synthesis," says Dr Angelo-Khattar.
Add daily hand massages and exercises to stimulate blood circulation to your regular care regime. A good hand rejuvenation exercise to try is to interlock your fingers, gently lift them and alternate roping them several times over. A dry hand massage also helps to improve your skin's texture - do this at your desk or while you're watching television for a minute whenever you remember.
Try: Mesotherapy, 45 mins, Dh750, Dermalase Clinic (Call: 04-3497880)
Tried and tested: Special Manicure, Dh170, N Bar, 04-3999009
Make your hands look younger with our recommended cheat treat. N.Bar's Special Manicure is the perfect treatment to help you reverse the signs of aging. An exfoliating herbal mud mask and paraffin wax are combined into one treatment to give you smooth and radiant hands. The mask is massaged and left to dry for ten minutes before being scrubbed off to remove any dead skin cells for a soft, supple feel. Hands are then dipped into paraffin wax and wrapped in heated mitts to nourish and moisturise the skin for a plump, youthful look.
- Sonam Basantani
- Buy: L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, Dh39; CND Solar Cuticle Conditioning Oil, Dh68
- Buy: Nimue Active Hand Repair Cream, Dh97; Elemis Pro-Radiance Hand and Nail Cream, Dh182
- Buy: Pevonia Caviar Youth Renew Hand & Foot Cream, Dh229; Champney's Hand and Nail Cream, Dh60
- Buy: Sisleya Global Anti-Age Hand Care, Dh570; Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Cream, Dh129
