For the treatment of pigmentation, prominent veins, wrinkling and volume loss.
The hands often age more rapidly, and out of sync with the rest of your skin, because they are more exposed to the elements and in particular the sun’s rays. The hands are often neglected when people think of rejuvenation with the focus being more on the face. However, it is common for doctors working in cosmetic medicine to check a patient’s hands as they know they can reveal much about a person’s age and sun exposure more so than the face that may have had work done on it.
Most patients concerned about the appearance of their hands have several issues and hence may require several different types of treatments. Age and sun related changes to the hands can effect the surface skin layer with pigmentation and roughness, the deeper skin with wrinkling and then the supporting structures with skin laxity, loss of volume and prominence of hand veins.
Isolated Brown Spots respond well to Pigment laser treatment and dark spots are actually easier to remove than light brown spots and typically 1-2 treatments are enough to achieve the desired results.
For diffuse, or generalised hyperpigmentation, treatment is by fractional laser resurfacing using the FRAXEL laser. A series of 4 to 6 treatments, done at monthly intervals, is recommended. For resistant cases, laser treatment is often used in combination with a prescription depigmentation cream such as hydroquinone 4%, which is applied nightly.
Superficial peels are used as a home-based program, or in the clinic on a treatment basis, to address rough skin and other textural concerns.
For wrinkle treatment of the hands, patients will be prescribed superficial peels with a nightly program of retinoids (especially a prescription strength such as Retrieve Cream) or glycolic acid lotions in conjunction with clinic peels to stimulate dermal collagen.
Prominent veins in the hands (caused by subcutaneous volume loss and skin laxity) can be improved by trying to increase the skin volume with dermal fillers, which may need repeating every 6 months.
Veins can also be treated by using a fine injection technique called Sclerotherapy. Each hand is treated during a separate treatment session, and 2-3 treatments may be needed to get a satisfactory improvement. The fingers are not treated by Sclerotherapy as there is the risk of swelling in the fingers after treatment that can be long lasting.
The hands can often show premature ageing much earlier than other body areas and non-invasive techniques can achieve much more youthful looking hands. Whilst a combination of treatments might be necessary even just targeting the brown marks can make a huge difference to the appearance of the hands.
No specific preparation is needed but excessive sun exposure should be avoided before any laser treatment. Any sunscreen will need to be removed before treatment.
All pigmentation treatment programs include the use of daily sunscreen to prevent the recurrence of pigmentation. For sclerotherapy elastic Tubigrip bandages need to be worn for 48 hours after treatment.
Before and after images are presented purely as a reference point of the results that can be achieved. Everyone is unique and outcomes will vary and realistic expectations need to be discussed on a case by case basis.
Got questions? Or ready to book in? Contact our experienced and friendly team to start your journey to healthy skin with us.
