Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Wrinkled Hands?
Content

Ask An Expert

Wrinkled Hands?

Kelly M. Gallego

Kelly M. Gallego, M.D., FACS

Surgery Center Division

Sutter Medical Foundation

Sutter Surgical Hospital North Valley

Question:

What kind of anti-aging treatments are available for wrinkled hands? Of course, hands are always visible and mine have begun to look splotchy and wrinkled.

Answer:

Many patients have concerns about the appearance of their hands. Patients frequently report that their hands make them look older than they feel. Like the face, neck, and superior chest, the hands are quite visible and difficult to conceal.

The problem of aging hands can be broken down into two parts: aging hand skin and a loss of volume or fullness involving the backside of the hand. The skin is frequently sun damaged, causing the presence of scaling, dry patches, brown spots call solar lentigines, and even precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses. Volume loss is primarily due to thinning of the skin and loss of the fat previously under the skin. The loss of volume can make tendons and veins much more visible.

Treating the skin involves a wide variety of options including chemical peels, retinoids, photodynamic therapy, and lasers. Of course, prevention of sun damage is always a key issue. Paitents should really make of habit of applying sunscreen to the backs of their hands whenever they plan to be outside.

Volume loss can be treated with dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid (Juvederm and Restylane). Another type of dermal filler that can be used effectively is calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse). These treatments are typically done in the office with local anesthesia.

Some plastic surgeons prefer fat transfer when it comes to replacing volume in the hands. Fat is removed from the abdomen, flanks, or thighs by liposuction. The fat is then injected into the backside of the hands using a small blunt cannula. This option can give a more permanent result, but it usually done in the operating room and is thus more expensive.

The best results are typically achieved with a combination of procedures.

Related Questions

Question
  • Facial Moisturizers and Serums
    What does serum used under a moisturizer do, and is it necessary? What is the best moisturizer?
  • Laser Treatment for Adult Acne?
    I have adult acne, but I'm also getting saggy skin now that I'm in my 40s. Would laser treatments help both?
  • Breast Lifts Without Implants?
    Is it possible to lift small breasts without needing implants to fill up the sagging skin?
  • Aging Skin Prevention and Treatment
    What can be done about aging, thinning skin on the arms and legs as we get older? Is there a best ingredient in over-the-counter products? This is happening despite excellent nutrition and otherwise very good health.
  • Nutrition for Hair Regrowth
    I am a vegetarian. I have unhealthy hair, dandruff, and hair loss. A recent blood test indicated my testosterone is slightly higher than normal. I started including egg and ground flaxseed powder in my diet. Can you suggest a diet to promote hair growth?

Back to Skin and Beauty

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences