Although a lot of focus is placed on a person’s face, that’s not the only area that has been getting attention from plastic surgeons lately. Newly engaged women and brides in particular have started noticing the signs of aging on their hands and they’re not happy about it. While it’s not uncommon for brides-to-be to have rejuvenation procedures performed before the big day, the cosmetic procedure trend has started to apply to engagement photos.
Why Get Treatments for Your Hands?
In a time when facial procedures can take years off your appearance, it’s frustrating to look down at hands that reveal your real age. In fact, the hands are often the first place that the signs of aging become visible because they are often neglected proper skin care. Sunlight and photo aging in particular can cause early damage to appear, making the hands look older than you actually are. Wrinkles, age spots, and visible veins can all detract from the beauty of your hands.
Maybe you haven’t paid much attention to the backs of your hands lately, but once that gorgeous engagement ring goes on, you won’t be able to stop looking at that left hand. This is when many brides-to-be start panicking. After all, the hands will be a focal point of many engagement and wedding photos. To recapture some of their youth and improve the appearance of their hands, these women can turn to nonsurgical cosmetic treatments like dermal fillers.
How Can Dermal Fillers Help?
Dermal fillers are injectable substances that can restore lost volume to the face and hands. Each type of dermal filler available on the market is FDA-approved for their use as wrinkle fillers and volume enhancers. Other uses often include lip enhancement, fine line treatment, and scar treatment. When applied to the back of the hands, dermal fillers can do much to restore the plumpness of the area and diminish the appearance of any wrinkles.
Some of the top brands of dermal fillers include Juvederm and Restylane, but the choice of product to be used will be made by you and your plastic surgeon during your consultation. Each has its own unique texture, best intended uses, and duration of results. Designing your procedure will involve a discussion of the various options and what benefits they can provide to you.
A dermal filler procedure typically takes about 15 to 30 minutes. It will often begin with a topical anesthetic to numb the treatment area, where your dermal filler formula will be injected directly into the back of your hand. The sensation is often described as feeling like a bug bite, so there won’t be a lot of pain and discomfort involved with the procedure. Afterwards, you might experience some redness or swelling of the area, but this should be short-lived. If you’re planning a treatment before a photo session or other event, allow yourself a few days to a week beforehand to make sure your hands have taken well to treatment.
Are There Other Ways to Treat the Hands?
While dermal fillers are certainly the most popular choice for hand rejuvenation, there are certainly other methods that can provide your hands with anti-aging benefits. Some of these alternative treatments may include:
- Fat injections. During this procedure, a thin needle is used to extract a small amount of fat from the donor area, typically the buttocks, abdomen, or thighs. To plump the hands, it is injected through a tiny hole that is made on the top of the wrist. Your hands will appear immediately fuller and with greatly diminished wrinkles.
- Fraxel Laser Treatments. This revolutionary laser treatment will resurface the damaged skin of your hands (and elsewhere as needed) to reverse uneven skin texture, lines and wrinkling, age or sun spots, and other skin damage. It will not do anything to replenish lost volume in the hands, but it is an effective way to boost the skin’s youthful appearance.
- Various chemical peels, exfoliation treatments, and facials designed to treat the skin of the face. These skin-care treatments can be easily transferred to the hands to rejuvenate their appearance and reduce the signs of aging. Discuss these options with a Skin & Spa aesthetician or plastic surgeon for more information.
Choose the Hand Treatment That’s Right For You
When your hands need a boost, consult with a plastic surgeon at a clinic well-versed in the various treatments that might help you achieve your results. Visit Renu Med Spa and Plastic Surgery to speak with founder and Medical Director Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, a board certified facial plastic surgeon with experience in dermal fillers, fat transfers and other enhancement techniques. He takes a keen interest in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, having practiced in Washington, DC, since 1994. A proven track record for excellence and a personal dedication to excellence and aesthetics have earned him a significant reputation among his peers. He was voted one of America’s Top Doctors in 2013 by Castle Connolly. Contact the Renu Med Spa and Plastic Surgery, located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 1625, in Chevy Chase, MD, by calling (301) 652-RENU (7368). Book your appointment with Dr. Schoenfeld today!