Younger Hands with Restylane and more

Hands--or aging hands--are a hot topic this week. It's end of July, which makes sense--we're at that point in the summer when sun damage is really becoming visible, particularly on those body parts that don't get the obsessive apply 'n reapply supply of sunscreen.

In addition to mastering prevention as your first line of defense for sun-induced aging on hands--primarily those lovely discolorations--there are some treatments you can try as well. One is Restylane. The image shown at left is from an actual patient who had undergone Restylane injections administered by Dr. Kenneth Beer (at right). The Seattle Times (7/21/08) reported on the procedure--as well as Radiesse--as an option for age-weary hands in want of some rejuvenation. The procedure is obviously more for hands that have started to experience wrinkling or that "thin skin" look--it's not going to take away any spots. But the article also reported that injectable treatments can take one or two vials per hand and that each vial can run about $1,000. That's a lot to hand over for hands (forgive me for writing that one).

On the less expensive front, you can also try an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid-based treatment. Dr. Craig Austin's (at left) AB Skincare line has a product--AB Hands--that's a 15% glycolic acid formulation. I had posted about the AB Skincare line of glycolic treatments, and while I'm a huge fan of aha's, I found the treatment pads (all AB Skincare glycolic treatments are pad applications) a bit unweildy--if it had to be a swiper of some sort I'd have preferred a towelette for hands--or better yet, a lotion version. Still, the glycolic acid will over time help with cellular turnover and may be one for you to try.

Have you tried Restylane or Radiesse on your hands? Or have you tried a topical alpha-hydroxy solution, like AB Skincare's AB Hands? If so, let us know.