When you think of skincare your thoughts are likely to go straight to thinking about a facial routine. Have you ever stopped to think about your hands? They are exposed to not just the sun but also the chemicals we clean our homes with, medications and lotions we lather on our bodies, and the natural elements.
Don’t you think they deserve just as much attention as there rest of our bodies?
The hands of time are hard to turn back and you don’t want to spend all that time on your face and neck only for your digits to give you away, do you? Let’s get into proper skincare for our hands.
What do people see in your hands that gives it away?
As time passes, we lose volume in our hands and as a result, the skin becomes thinner and more crepe paper in appearance. Due to years of neglect from sunscreen, it’s easy to see why sunspots and hyperpigmentation on our hands is so common.
Other signs of aging that can be seen in our hands include wrinkles, dry skin, veins, and brittle nails. All of these are treatable and can be delayed with the right routine and care.
What can I do to improve my hands?
Each issue takes a different approach. For example, if volume is the problem, patients can have filler injected into the top portion of the hand to help regain some of the fullness they have lost.
For discoloration and hyperpigmentation, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and laser treatments are the way to go.
Microneedling and chemical peels can also help to improve any dark, sun or age spots as well as improve the texture of the skin.
Daily use of a good reparative hand cream like such as Skincredible’s Intensive Hand Cream or Skincredible’s Glycolic Urea Cream is also a step in the right direction.
Self-Care For Your Hands
If you are looking for ways to pamper yourself while also taking care of your hands, here are some things you can consider doing to help keep them looking young.
Wash Your Hands
Starting off easy and with something we all should do frequently, washing our hands in lukewarm water using a moisturizing, natural soap will keep your hands soft and healthy.
You may be tempted to use the dish soap at the kitchen sink because of it’s ease of access to the living areas of the home, but it would be best to have non-antibacterial and unscented soap handy in the kitchen that is meant for you hands. This will help prevent dry skin and keep your natural oils intact.
Exfoliate and Scrub
Five minutes a day once a week will do your hands wonders keeping them soft and supple. We recommend a good exfoliant like Skincredible’s Clarifying Brightening Polish or Glycolic Extremity Cream.
Moisturize Your Hands
After washing and exfoliating, it’s time to moisturize. This can be something as simple as a moisturizing hand cream (like Skincredible’s Intensive Hand Cream) or, if you are really fighting against the elements, a robust moisturizer like Skincredible’s Ultra Hydration Intensive Moisture Balm. Remember to match your moisturizer to the season since your skin does change throughout the year.
Protect Your Hands
Keep your hands safe with protective gear. Whether you are gardening, washing dishes, working on your car, or handling chemicals, wear the right protection to keep your hands safe.
Protect Your Cuticles
If you are going to spend all this time and money looking after your hands, don’t forget to take care of your cuticles. Using a high-quality cuticle cream or oil to prevent the cuticles from roughing out or drying can mean the difference between looking like you’ve been doing hard labor all day or just had a manicure.
Eat Right
Your skin is a reflection of what you put in your body. Don’t skimp on the proteins, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E – whether in supplements or as part of your diet. These are essential to maintaining healthy, strong nails, keeping your hands soft, supple, and staving off the appearance of age.
Are you ready?
Our trained clinicians are available to assist you in achieving your skincare goals and recommend the best products for you! Contact us today to schedule your consultation and to find out if one of our recommended products is right for you!
As the leaves begin to change and the fall social scene beckons, this is the perfect time to kiss that tired, summer skin goodbye!