The hand lift is here! Beyond Botox, face lifts, nose jobs and fillers, hand lifts are becoming de rigueur.
Yes, the face is one of the most age-telling body parts we have. However, the hands are a dead giveaway too. Skin on the back of our hands is extremely thin and the loss of fat padding shows as we age. Our hands become less firm and plump. Tendons, bones and veins become more visible and the hand appears bony and more fragile. Daily exposure to UV rays results in the appearance of age spots and brown patches.
The ‘hand lift’ is fast and touted to be a simple procedure that can convert older-looking hands into younger looking ones in minutes. First, fillers are injected to plump and replenish volume to the back of the hands and to provide a supple and youthful appearance. The resulting raised skin level makes tendons, joints and veins lose their prominence. Next, laser treatments may be used to diminish the appearance of brown spots and pigmentation. With hands looking years younger, patients are then encouraged to protect and maintain results at home by keeping hands well moisturized and protected with sunscreen.
Although the procedure takes less than 10 minutes, the cost may leave a larger impression on your wallet. At $1200 for a treatment, it definitely isn’t for everyone.
Lower Cost Alternatives to the Hand Lift?
If you’re afraid of medical procedures or just can’t imagine paying for a hand lift, take heart. By applying the same principles of good skin care to your hands as you do to your face, you may not need that hand lift after all!
Here are 5 low-budget steps you can take to younger looking hands:
- Sun Protection. The sun is responsible for most skin aging and is a particular culprit in skin discoloration. Apply a good sunscreen to the backs of your hands daily.
- Retinoids. They work to boost the production of collagen and elastin thereby maintaining skin’s structural integrity. In this case, what’s good for the face is definitely good for the hands. Try Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging.
- Don Gloves. Yes it’s a pain, but you’ll get used to it. Water, especially the hot water we use to wash dishes, is the hands’ enemy as it can wash away the lipids that hold in moisture.
- Moisturize. Restore the skin’s barrier system with a moisturizer containing humectants and emollients to seal in moisture. Apothekari Shea Body Butter has a permanent home at my kitchen and bathroom counter.
- Exfoliate. Get rid of dry skin with a body polish like our Bamboo & Lemongrass Foaming Body Polish. Hands will feel and look soft and smoothe.
In a world of selfies, it’s a given that the hand lift is here to stay. Is it right for you?
