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This article has been medically reviewed for accuracy by Plano, TX board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Vu Ho on November 5, 2024.
The eyes might be the portals to the soul, but the hands are the indicators of your true age. Just as the skin on our faces, the skin on our hands undergoes inevitable alterations as we age. The significant disparity? You’re likely not subjecting it to the same anti-aging routine or covering it with youth-enhancing lotions and potions. TL;DR: The hands are frequently overlooked and, as a result, can end up appearing, well, aged. Ahead, leading dermatologists elucidate why this occurs—and how to make hands look more youthful.
Why does aging manifest on the hands?
Skin aging anywhere on the body is triggered by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic elements. The former are aspects you can’t control—specifically, the passage of time and genetics. “As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, and the skin becomes thin, crinkly, and wrinkled. In the upper parts of the hands, there’s also a loss of fat and muscle atrophy, which makes them look more bony, with more prominent veins and joints,” elaborates Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. To make matters worse, the levels of natural moisturizing components in the skin, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, also decrease, leaving hands feeling perpetually parched as you grow older.
On the extrinsic front, external factors like pollution and smoking are aging culprits, although sun exposure is the primary offender. “Our hands are exposed to the sun throughout the year, including when we’re driving,” points out Dr. Nancy Samolitis, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles. Combine that with the fact that many people neglect to apply sunscreen to their hands, and you have a recipe for unsightly brown patches and discoloration.
As is the case with any kind of skin aging, precisely when these issues surface—aka when you might start to feel like you have “old-looking” hands—varies based on the individual. Nevertheless, the doctors we conversed with concurred that most women typically first notice these matters in their late 30s to early 40s.
What are the ideal ways to obtain younger-looking hands?
The universal anti-aging principle holds: prevention is simpler than correction. First and foremost, utilize sunscreen daily. Once you’ve applied it to your face, rub a dime-sized amount onto the back of each hand. Dr. Samolitis also suggests keeping powder sunscreens accessible (pun intended), for reapplication. They’re rapid and effortless to apply, and you can even store one in your car as a reminder to reapply before you drive, she states.
When it comes to reversing existing wrinkles, age spots, and laxity, in-office procedures are largely more efficacious than any topical product (though more on anti-aging hand cream to follow). According to Dr. Michelle Sieffert, a plastic surgeon in Dublin, Ohio, adopting a multi-faceted treatment approach is optimal; using multiple modalities to address different issues will yield the most favorable end result, she remarks. A few common choices:
Fillers: “Injectable hyaluronic acid fillers function by replenishing lost volume to the skin, which assists in concealing visible tendons and veins,” explains Dr. Sieffert, who notes that results can persist up to a year. Dr. Chang adds that the plumping effect also reduces both slackness and wrinkles. (Speaking of which, Botox for hands isn’t truly a thing. The wrinkles on your hands typically aren’t dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement, which is what Botox targets.) There are currently two fillers on the market that are FDA-approved for hand rejuvenation: Restylane Lyft, a hyaluronic acid filler, and Radiesse, a calcium hydroxylapatite filler that operates by stimulating collagen production, says Dr. Chang.
IPL : “This light treatment emits multiple wavelengths, enabling it to concurrently target broken capillaries, redness, and brown spots, and is effective for enhancing the skin on the backs of the hands,” says Dr. Chang. While it’s a good option for those whose main concerns are sun-damage-induced discoloration, there are a few caveats. You will require a series of treatments for the best outcomes; it won’t restore lost volume; and those with dark skin aren’t suitable candidates, as they’re at an elevated risk for side effects such as discoloration changes and scarring.
Lasers: Merging the best of both aspects, lasers are an excellent means to reduce brown spots and redness, tighten wrinkled skin, and minimize the appearance of fine lines, says Dr. Sieffert. But not all lasers are equal. Q-switched lasers (such as the Nd:YAG) target pigment in the skin and can be used to eliminate brown spots, though resurfacing lasers (such as Fraxel) offer the greatest value. These lasers trigger a wound-healing response in the skin, which can ultimately lead to an improvement in elasticity as well as skin tone and texture, explains Dr. Chang. Even just one treatment can yield remarkable results that can last for years… provided they’re maintained with sun protection and proper skin care afterward, adds Dr. Samolitis.
However, it’s worth noting that not all of these lasers may be appropriate for all skin tones. The pigment-targeting ones can be particularly problematic; for instance, the alexandrite laser shouldn’t be used on dark skin, whereas the Nd:YAG might be acceptable, notes Dr. Chang. Resurfacing lasers generally can be utilized on all skin tones, though the settings should be adjusted accordingly, she adds. The bottom line: Seeking board-certified physicians with experience in using lasers is crucial for ensuring the most favorable and safest result.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Anti-Aging Your Hands—at Home and at the Doctor’s Office
What are the best anti-aging hand creams?
Regarding skin care products, it’s a sensible idea to search for hand creams that contain the same proven anti-aging ingredients as the moisturizers you’d use on your face, advises Dr. Samolitis. (And don’t overlook the sunscreen, of course.) It’s no astonishment that retinoids are one good alternative: “ Although there haven’t been specific studies for the hands, retinoids have an abundance of evidence demonstrating their effectiveness in treating photodamage and increasing collagen production,” Dr. Chang explains. Alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, are ideal for boosting cell turnover and lightening brown spots, while antioxidants such as vitamin C and niacinamide can assist in brightening the skin and enhancing collagen production, she adds. And ultimately, don’t forget the hydration element—ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter are all excellent ingredients to look for in your hand lotion.
Discover the derm-recommended ingredients above in our selections for the best hand creams.
PCA Skin C&E Hand Renewal , $80
Vitamin C delivers a three-in-one punch, offering antioxidant protection, stimulating collagen production, and aiding in fading dark spots. In other words, it’s a single ingredient that can address multiple signs of aging on your hands. Here, it’s paired with nourishing vitamin E, another powerful antioxidant.
DerMend Fragile Skin Moisturizing Cream, $30
“This is filled with all of my preferred anti-aging ingredients, including retinol, niacinamide, and glycolic acid,” says Dr. Samolitis. While it’s marketed for the fragile skin that most people don’t develop until a later age, it can be used at any time and is effective in treating dry skin anywhere on the body, she adds.
Verso Hand Serum, $55
A unique retinoid in this formula stimulates collagen production, but the benefits don’t end there. It also contains antioxidant-rich turmeric and skin-strengthening ceramides, in a non-greasy lotion specially formulated to treat the dryness on the backs of the hands.
Skinfix Eczema+ Hand Repair Cream ($18)
Formulated with soothing aloe and colloidal oatmeal, plus glycerin to lock in moisture, this hand treatment addresses extremely dry, cracked, and sensitive skin.
BeautyCounter Hand Savior Radiance Boosting Serum + Hand Sanitizer ($32)
Most of us have been overusing hand sanitizer since the pandemic began and have the dry hands to prove it. But you don’t need the highest alcohol content to obtain protection: BeautyCounter’s sanitizer, which doubles as a brightening serum, is made with 60% organic sugar-derived alcohol and has been clinically tested to kill 99.99% of bacteria.
Supergoop! Handscreen SPF 40, $14
Yes, you can undoubtedly apply your facial sunscreen to your hands, but if you’d rather have a dedicated hand SPF product, try this one. Along with that extremely important protection against UV rays, it also boasts sea buckthorn extract, an antioxidant-rich fruit that can enhance skin tone and texture, plus deeply hydrating argan and meadowfoam seed oils.
