As seen in Sheerluxe
Hands are often the first place signs of ageing show up. Exposure to the elements, regular washing, and years of use mean that the backs of our hands tend to develop crepiness, visible veins, pigmentation, and loss of volume earlier than other areas. Skincare habits we may apply faithfully to our face—moisturisers, sunscreen, gentle cleansers—are too often neglected when it comes to hand care, making our hands betray our true age.
Against that backdrop, Dr Ross Perry, clinical director at Cosmedics, offers valuable guidance on when and how to intervene—especially for hands that are visibly “giving the game away.”
Dr Perry warns Sheerluxe readers:
“The skin on the hands is very thin … treatments need to be delicate and done with a duty of care. Some can be counterproductive, so you need to proceed with caution.”
This is an important caveat: while various cosmetic and dermatological treatments can rejuvenate ageing hands, they must be used with care. The skin on the hands is notably fragile, more so than on the face, and aggressive procedures can do more harm than good. His phrase “duty of care” underscores the responsibility a practitioner has to protect the tissue, tailor the intervention, and avoid unintended damage. He urges that treatments be “delicate” and warns that some may be “counterproductive” unless carefully chosen.
This framing is crucial: rejuvenating the hands is not a matter of simply applying everything that works on the face. It’s about selecting interventions that respect the thinner, more vulnerable hand skin and tailoring them to individual needs.
Treating Age Spots
Addressing pigmentation and age spots, Dr Perry’s preferred route is IPL (intense pulsed light). He explains:
“When it comes to the brown dots or age spots … intense pulsed light (IPL) is my go-to treatment. It tends to work incredibly well … because you can control the settings depending on what you’re working at.”
He notes that whether the spots are small and singular or more widespread, IPL allows for controllable, targeted treatment. He further adds:
“The Q-switched Nd:Yag laser is better for breaking up the melanin clusters that form more insistent and ingrained age spots.”
His strategy thus employs two complementary tools: IPL for the more superficial, diffuse pigmentation and Nd:Yag laser for deeper, stubborn clusters of melanin. In his experience, after treatment, the discolored spots often darken temporarily for about a week and then fade away within two weeks:
“Once treated, the lesions normally go a darker colour for about a week but, two weeks after that, they tend to be gone.”
This combination of patience and precision underlines how pigmentation treatment is a gradual process and not an instant fix.
Bony Hands, Prominent Veins
Hands often begin to look “gnarly” or bony due to age-related fat loss and thinning of the skin, making veins and tendons more visible.
Dr Perry concurs with other dermatologists in recommending bio-stimulating fillers to replenish lost volume and boost collagen. Thicker and plumper flesh means that veins and bones become less prominent.
This approach does not merely mask superficial defects—it aims to regenerate and fortify the skin structure beneath, reducing conspicuous veins while enhancing skin quality over time.
Approach Carefully, But Don’t Shy From Progress
Dr Ross Perry’s philosophy for treating ageing hands is rooted in balance and discernment. His advice can be summarised as:
- Respect the fragility of hand skin : Interventions must be delicate and practitioner-led.
- Use tailored tools for pigmentation : IPL for superficial spots; Nd:Yag laser for deeper clusters.
- Rebuild structure, don’t just mask it : Bio-stimulating fillers can restore volume, stimulate collagen, and smooth contour with minimal risk of lumps.
If your hands are starting to show signs of ageing—discolouration, crepiness, visible veins—Dr Perry’s words suggest you don’t have to resign yourself to time’s effects. Under expert hands (pun intended), you can intervene smartly, effectively, and safely.
Read this article in full at https://sheerluxe.com/beauty/hair-nails/hand-care.
Hand Rejuvenation Treatment Options
In terms of professional treatments, there are a number of non-surgical procedures that can be beneficial in rejuvenating the skin on the hands. Potential options to consider include:
- PROFHILO®
- Dermal Fillers
- Laser pigmentation therapy
- Laser IPL Treatment
- TIXEL®
- Dermaroller Microneedling
For best advice, a consultation at one of Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ advanced skin treatment centres is the starting point. This will include an assessment of your skin and medical history as well as full discussion with an experienced Aesthetic Doctor.
Dr Ross Perry
Dr Ross Perry is Founder and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics.
He qualified at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in 1994. His career includes NHS skin cancer reconstruction, work as a GP, as well as private cosmetic skin treatments.
He established Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003 and remains in charge as Medical Director. He is best known for dealing with unwanted skin lesions and blemishes (e.g. moles, cysts, warts, skin tags) and natural-looking use of non-surgical cosmetic injections (BOTOX® Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Facial Fillers) and advanced laser treatments.
He regularly advises the press on health matters and has special expertise on matters relating to the skin.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics
Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors. The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.
Call 020 7386 0464 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.
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