Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Skin Restoration and Laser Institute

Q:  Do you offer anti-aging treatments for hands at Dr. Castillo’s Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Skin Restoration and Laser Institute?

A:  When it comes to trying to conceal our age, hands can be a dead give-a-way.  Brown spots, “age spots”, loose skin, and loss of fat can all be contributing factors of aging hands.  So often we protect our face or improve the appearance of aging facial skin but we forget about our hands, and our neck and chest for that matter. Think of all the hours spent over a lifetime with your hands on the steering wheel of a car while the sun is beating down on them.   Do you apply UVA/UVB sun block with an SPF of 45 or higher to your hands each day; winter, spring summer, fall?

I have a few of recommendations for improving the appearance of aging hands.

1. The first and most important recommendation is to apply a UVA/UVB physical sunscreen with SPF of 45 of higher to your hands each day.  Because incidental sun is responsible for a large percentage of skin cancer and aging it is imperative to use sun block 365 days a year.   Using sunscreen on your hands daily will help prevent melanocytes from becoming over-active which leaves brown spots on your skin.
2. CO² Micro-Fractional Laser resurfacing removes brown spots, builds new collagen and improves loose, sagging, crepy skin to restore your hands to a more youthful appearance.   This is typically a one- time treatment and will provide the best corrective results.  A prescription skin lightening agent may also be used to pre-treat brown spots in conjunction with this treatment.
3. IPL (Intense Pulse Light) can be used to improve brown spots and redness.  It is not likely to improve loose, sagging skin however.  This procedure typically requires 3-6 treatments.  Again a prescription skin lightening agent may be used as a pre-treatment in conjunction with this procedure.  I would not recommend this treatment for skin types IV and higher.
4. Dermal fillers such as Radiesse can be used to increase volume if fat loss has occurred.  This option offers immediate, long-term effects in a single treatment.  It also works well in conjuction with any of the above mentioned options.
5. Wear gloves when driving.  Remember that your hands get a lot of UV radiation while perched on the steering wheel of your vehicle.
6. You’re at home skincare regimen should include a minimum of exfoliation, hydration and sun protection.

Roxanne, Skincare & Laser Specialist

Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY

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