Hand Rejuvenation
What Is It?
Hand rejuvenation is the shared name for treatments that address two separate changes age brings to the back of the hand. The first is volume loss. As we get older we lose volume almost everywhere, and the hands are no exception. As the support under the skin thins, the veins and tendons start to look raised. The second is surface change, meaning sun spots and skin that looks thin and crêpey.
We work on these two with different tools, and they rarely finish in the same session. The back of the hand gets sun for a lifetime, it is always moving, and the support under its skin is thinner than on the face. So planning starts with the question of which complaint to deal with first.
How Is It Done?
At assessment we note the degree of volume loss, how visible the veins and tendons are, the thickness of the skin and the spread of the spots, each separately. If the bones and veins show clearly, a volumising product is needed. Here we use hyaluronic acid based fillers or collagen-stimulating products. For texture and hydration, mesotherapy and skinbooster treatments come into play.
We usually do the volume treatment with a cannula, through a few entry points and in the layer above the tendons, and then spread the product by massage. We give mesotherapy with a fine needle through superficial points. We use topical anaesthetic cream beforehand, and the procedure takes 20-30 minutes on average. The fingers can be treated too, but there are a great many nerve endings there, so it is quite painful. We also have to work in a way that does not restrict hand movement. So we rarely choose to treat the fingers. If the spots need a separate plan, we leave that for another session.
Who Is It For?
It suits patients who are bothered by visible veins and tendons on their hands, who have had their face rejuvenated but say their hands give their age away, or whose hands have thinned after weight loss. Our hands are in front of our eyes all day, which is why this complaint comes up so often.
With very thin skin we take extra care over the choice and amount of product. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, active infection at the site, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled autoimmune disease and known allergy to the product all change the plan. If there is recurrent eczema or an active skin problem on the hands, we look at that first.
Process & Recovery
Assessment
We note volume loss, vein and tendon visibility, skin thickness and the spread of the spots separately. We decide together which complaint to start with.
Treatment day
After topical anaesthetic cream, we usually do the volume treatment with a cannula in the layer above the tendons and spread the product by massage. The procedure takes 20-30 minutes.
First 48 hours
There is swelling and tenderness on the back of the hand, and bruising is possible. Put off heavy lifting, very hot water, sauna and any work that uses your hands intensively.
First 2 weeks
The swelling settles and the product finds its place. Swelling on the back of the hand can last a little longer than on the face, so what you see in the first days is not the final result.
Review
We see you at the end of the second week and compare the two hands. If needed, we start a top-up or a separate plan for the spots from here.
Results & Duration
With volume treatment the fullness shows in the same session. Swelling on the back of the hand can last a little longer, so the final look becomes clear within about two weeks. The veins and tendons do not disappear completely. With more support above them, they look less prominent.
How long the effect lasts depends on the product, the amount used and how you use your hands. The range generally reported is around 12 months. Because the hands are always moving, the product can break down faster here than on the face. With the spots, the result depends directly on how well you protect your hands from the sun.
What Is Not Promised
Hand rejuvenation does not make the veins invisible or change the anatomy of the tendons. Our aim is to soften how raised they look. It does not tighten sagging skin or change the shape of the joints.
Spots do not clear with a single treatment. Filler and spot treatment are separate jobs. We treat spots on the hands the same way we treat them on the face, and that needs its own plan and its own timeline. Sun protection is part of the result in this area. We make no promise of a particular look or duration.
Key Benefits
- Fuller hand backs
- Less prominent veins
- Intense moisturizing
“If you ask me, what really gives away a person’s age is their hands. We have a lot done to our face and neck, but the hands get forgotten.”
— Dr. Sinan Akyürek
Frequently Asked Questions
Which method is used for hand rejuvenation?
It depends on the complaint. For volume loss we use filler or collagen-stimulating products, for texture and hydration mesotherapy and skinboosters, and for spots we make a separate plan. In most patients we do these in sequence.
Will my veins disappear completely?
No. Our aim is to increase the support above the veins and tendons. The raised look softens, but the anatomy does not change.
How long does it take?
On average 20-30 minutes. You go back to your daily life the same day. We advise against heavy work with your hands for the first two days.
Is it painful?
Not very. We apply topical anaesthetic cream beforehand and usually use a cannula, and most patients describe a feeling of pressure. The fingers are more sensitive because they have so many nerve endings.
When will I see the result?
You notice the fullness in the same session. The final look becomes clear once the swelling settles, in about two weeks on average.
How long does it last?
A range of around 12 months is generally reported. Because the hands are always moving, the product can break down faster here than on the face.
Will the spots clear in the same session?
No. Spots are a separate subject that needs its own plan and timeline. Keeping the result also depends on protecting your hands from the sun.
Why do hands look thinner after weight loss?
When you lose weight, the supporting tissue on the back of the hand thins too, and the veins and tendons look more prominent. It is a picture we often treat with volume support.