Hands lose volume as we age. The subcutaneous layers of fat become thinner and sadly we lose about 7% of skin thickness per decade. This allows veins, bones and tendons in the hands to become more prominent and bony. There are several factors including the reduction in skin elasticity and volume, dermal vascularity, sun and chemical exposure and smoking which all contribute to ageing hands.
There are several procedures available that can rejuvenate your tired looking hands.
The loss of fat in the hands that comes with age and displays prominent veins and tendons can be safely replaced with injectable fillers to hide unsightly veins and tendons and recover a youthful appearance. As an added benefit, these fillers encourage the production of collagen which will also improve the surface texture of the skin. If the skin has lost elasticity and appears dry and crepey, injectable skin boosters can deliver firmer, plumper skin.
Loss of volume can be reversed with two types of dermal filler;
1. Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar chain molecule found in all skin and soft tissues throughout the body, identical across species. It attracts and binds water in the skin, providing volume and hydration, but also ‘cushioning’ and supporting collagen and elastin fibres and providing a medium, or carrier, for chemical messages between the cells. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are a clear sterile gel in a syringe for injection into the skin providing instant correction.
Click here to access more information on Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
2. Radiesse
Radiesse is a dermal filler/collagen stimulator consisting of Calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier which consists mainly of water and glycerine. Radiesse is highly biocompatible. Calcium hydroxylapatite is the main mineral component of bone and teeth, which consists of calcium and phosphate ions that occur naturally in the body.
Radiesse injections plump and replenish volume to the back of the hands to provide a youthful appearance instantly. Injected beneath the skin, Radiesse raises the skin level so that tendons, joints and veins lose their prominence.
Age spots can also be improved with procedures such as laser and Intense Pulsed light (IPL). This type of photo-rejuvenation works by targeting concentrated areas of melanin in the skin and breaking them down so that they can be reabsorbed by the body
Precise pulses of light are delivered to the area being treated via the IPL hand piece. The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by the melanin (when treating pigmented lesions) damaging them.
The body’s natural processes then remove the injured tissue giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance. This light is also changed to heat energy as it reaches to the level of collagen beneath the skins surface, stimulating the production of collagen and new cells.
Click here to access more information about IPL/Photorejuvenation
Your practitioner will take a detailed medical history and an assessment of your needs and expectations to ensure this is an appropriate treatment for you.
There are a number of medical conditions and or medicines that may affect the decision to treat or the treatment plan. A full medical history and assessment of your expectations is necessary in advance of any decision to treat.
Dermal Fillers
IPL/ Photorejuvenation
For full details please visit our Dermal Fillers, Radiesse and IPL/Photorejuvenation treatment information pages.
All treatments carry a degree of risk. All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed.
For full details please visit our Dermal Fillers, Radiesse and IPL/Photorejuvenation treatment information pages.
Dermal Fillers/Rasiesse - Most leading brands also contain a local anaesthetic and most clinicians will apply topical anaesthetic cream, or ice, prior to treatment to numb the skin. Treatment need not be painful.
IPL/ Photorejuvenation - With technological advances IPL/lasers are generally well tolerated and described as mildly uncomfortable with certain treatment areas being more sensitive than others. It is often described as the sensation of a rubber band being flicked against the skin.
Dermal Fillers - Longevity does vary between products, and between individuals, but most will last between 6 months and 18 months.
Radiesse - It is expected to last 9-24 months; in some cases the duration may be shorter or longer than expected. It will always degrade over time and you will return to your pre-treatment state without further treatment.
IPL/ Photorejuvenation - You may notice some improvement after the first session, but for the best results we recommend a course of treatment 4 weeks apart.
For full details please visit our Dermal Fillers, Radiesse and IPL/Photorejuvenation treatment information pages.
