Walking, driving, chores, gardening, hand washing, clapping… Could we give a warm round of applause to our hardest working extremities, please? The skin on our hands has to deal with a lot. It follows then, that skin ageing on hands is a natural and expected process.
But if you’re concerned about your hands showing wrinkles, pigmentation or dryness, there are several steps you can take to slow that train, or maybe even back the truck up (to mix our metaphors). And because she’s an expert in skin rejuvenation, here’s Ivy Clinic expert therapist Isabella to share some of the most effective treatments. You could even say she’s an ‘old hand’ at this. (Sorry, we’ll keep working on better material, promise.)
1) Moisturise ✌️
Having dry, cracked skin and cuticles can make your hands look older, and more crepey. Lack of moisture not only makes hands appear more wrinkled, it can also contribute to an impaired skin barrier, exposing hands to a range of skin conditions. I won’t go anywhere without a tube of hand cream. At Ivy Clinic we have the Henné Organic Hand Cream range - it’s fully loaded with super nourishing plant oil goodness including Argan, olive, jojoba, rosehip, avocado, shea butter and more. Perfect for protecting my hands against the dry climate and extreme seasons down south.
2) Treat yourself to regular manicures 💅
It’s one thing to care for the skin on your hands, but if those hands end in hangnails and chipped polish, it’s gonna spoil the overall effect. As part of my self-care routine, I like to take a few minutes to clean up those cuticles and bask in the goodness of cuticle oil. I’m all for low maintenance when it comes to polish, a simple hardening base coat, or neutral tone, stays looking tip top for longer.
3) Dermapen! 🖊️
I’ve seen beautiful results here at Ivy Clinic from using Dermapen on hands. Yup, micro needling is a rejuvenating skin treatment that works by using tiny needles to cause tiny micro-injuries to the skin, triggering the body to produce elastin and collagen, and build a fresh layer of skin. This new skin looks and feels tighter, smoother and more youthful.
4) IPL treatment 💡
IPL is a light treatment that harnesses a special wavelength of visible light to target and destroy pigment – visibly reducing superficial spots on our hands that develop over the years from sun exposure and other damage. I’ve been doing extensive training on IPL techniques, and am thrilled that we’re launching IPL at Ivy Clinic soon. If you’re keen to find out more, make sure you’re on our mailing list.
5) Profhilo Injections 💉
Profhilo is an ideal treatment to correct fine lines & wrinkles across your hands. Thanks to Profhilo's intensely hydrating hyaluronic acid formulation, the skin has the power to retain more water, which helps to firm up aged or wrinkled skin. If you’re not sure whether this treatment is for you, you could book a FREE Profhilo consult with one of our Cosmetic Registered Nurses.
6) Use sun protection!!! ☀️
Sun damage ages hands like nothing else for our hands. Here in New Zealand, the sun’s particularly harsh, but this advice applies pretty much everywhere. Remember when you’re putting SPF on your face (Every. Single. Day.) to share the love with the backs of your hands too. A nice pair of driving gloves wouldn't go astray – chic and protective! We stock some excellent sun care products – take a look online, or ask us for recommendations at your next session.
7) Look at lifestyle factors 🥗
Just like the skin on our faces, our daily habits affect how our hands age. Consider whether you need to drink more water, eat more good oils, fruit and veg’, quit smoking or work on your stress and sleep levels. Everything counts.
