Essence Of Youth Blog Here are 4 problems Why Your Hands Look Older Than They Are

Your hands do the talking with regards to reveling your age. Unfortunately, sunspots and bulging veins can shout 60 when you're only 40. The Problems, along with their solutions are as follows1. Thin & wrinkly skin"Sunlight breaks down collagen that keeps skin supple and firm," says Mary Lupo, MD, a dermatologist in New Orleans. As the already slight cushion of fat thins, hands start to look skeletal.A host of ingredients-retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids, and peptides-build collagen and thicken skin over time. You don't need a special hand cream, though. "If you're using a product that contains these ingredients on your face, apply it to your hands," suggests Kimberly Butterwick, MD, a La Jolla, CA, dermatologist.2. Veins"Veins that normally wouldn't be visible under plump skin become prominent with collagen and fat loss," says Lee Schulman, MD, an NYC-based phlebologist.Moisturizers that build collagen can help plump skin, so veins stand out less. To reduce the color contrast between your the purple vessels and skin, apply an opaque concealer or use a self-tanner. Other solutions: manicures and jewelry. Recent research shows that people thought women were younger when their hands were adorned with polish and rings. Keep nails short-the white tips should be about ⅛ inch long. "Shorter nail shapes soften the appearance of pronounced knuckle joints and veins," says Jan Arnold, cofounder of Creative Nail Design, a nail care company.3. SunspotsUV exposure damages pigment-producing cells, causing brown spots to form. "Among drivers, the left hand-the one the sun hits-often looks older," says Butterwick.Apply a separate lotion that contains 2% hydroquinone (HQ), the most effective bleaching agent. Start now-it could take months to notice a difference. To prevent new spots, sunscreen is key. Use a product that contains a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15.4. DrynessAs you grow older, the skin on your hands produces less lubricating oil and loses its ability to hold on to moisture. Put a lotion throughout the day that will boost hydration; rub it on immediately after washing your hands to seal in the moisture your skin has absorbed. Invest in a hand cream; they are formulated with humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or urea, which draw in and hold moisture in the skin. Choose one with an SPF-years of UV exposure disrupt production of a protein that helps form the skin's outer moisture-sealing layer, depleting hydration. To spare hands, apply cream and pull on cotton-lined gloves before exposing them to household cleaners or plunging them into soapy water.