With the exception of the face, the hands are the most expressive part of the body. We use our hands to greet one another, to enhance verbal communication through gestures, and to offer comfort. As such, aesthetically pleasing hands are a desirable asset. Along with the face, our hands are the only body part constantly visible to others in our society — they are markers of health and youth. As hands age they can signal declining health and vitality.
The hands are subject to accelerated aging due to exposure to the elements, frequent washing and use, as well as intrinsic elements such as nutrient deficiencies, hormone imbalance, etc. As the hands are constantly exposed to the elements, both photoaging and intrinsic aging play a role. Changes related to photoaging include epidermal atrophy, solar elastosis, pigmentary irregularities, and the development of actinic keratoses. Intrinsic aging results in loss of collagen and subcutaneous fat as well as decreased barrier function of the stratum corneum. The net effects of these processes result in hands that may appear thin and bony with clearly visible veins and tendons. The overlying skin can show wrinkling, uneven pigmentation, and a dry and dull surface appearance.
Fortunately, there are several tools available to rejuvenate aging hands.
