Sun Damage: The ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the sunlight changes the skin and can cause skin damage. Sun exposure is the most common cause of wrinkles because it can cause collagen loss and easily break down the elastin fibers (which are responsible for skin elasticity) (1). This elastin depletion in your skin makes it more prone to wrinkles.
Smoking: Smoking damages not only your internal organs but also your skin. The nicotine in cigarettes constricts the blood vessels which, in turn, reduces the oxygen supply to the skin (2). This reduced blood flow contributes to wrinkles.
Also, excessive hand washing, repeated exposure of your hands to chemicals, and dehydration can decrease skin elasticity and result in wrinkles on your hands. So, what are the best ways to deal with the wrinkles on your hands? Scroll down to find out!
The Best Ways To Deal With Wrinkles On Hands
1. Sun Screen
Did you know that UV radiation from the sun causes skin aging? Yes, this radiation exposure is one of the main reasons for about 80% of skin aging (3). As your hands get exposed to the sun as much as your face, you can observe wrinkles, brown spots, and irregular pigmentation on them as well. So, your hands need utmost care to avoid sun damage. Sunscreen can protect your hands from sun damage. They work as a shield for your hands and prevent UV damage. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 50 to your hands.
2. Moisturize Your Hands
Moisturization is the key to avoiding dry skin, and a good moisturizer goes a long way in achieving healthy and youthful skin. Even people with oily skin need to use a mild moisturizer. In general, moisturizers have a thick consistency and a long-lasting effect. Choose any moisturizer with ingredients that acts as humectants, i.e., ones that attract moisture from the air (4). Moisturizers that contain alpha-hydroxy acids, retinol, and their derivatives are effective anti-aging agents. They provide essential moisture to the skin on your hands and reduce fine lines and wrinkles (5).
3. Retinoids
Retinoids are the most popular anti-aging ingredients that are used in the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles (6). Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and can help increase collagen production in the skin. These are the most widely used prescription treatments for wrinkles. Since these biologically active anti-aging compounds boost collagen production, they improve skin elasticity (7).
4. Medical Fillers
Medical fillers are injectable implants that offer a fuller and smoother appearance to the skin on your hands. These are the same as the wrinkle-filling Botox injections used on the face. If you notice that the skin on your hands has become thin and wrinkled, a filler can be a good option to plump it up and make it look more youthful. These medical fillers are gel-like substances that are injected under the skin to restore its youthful appearance.
5. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Unlike past laser treatments that required a long recovery period and left scars on the skin, the new laser skin resurfacing technology reduces wrinkles without any scarring and redness. It stimulates elastin and collagen fibers and restores the skin’s underlying support structure. This helps in eliminating the wrinkles on your hands. This gentle, non-ablative treatment uses broad-spectrum light to treat sun damage on the hands. It helps re-texture the skin and makes your hands look younger (8).
6. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment helps treat age spots and wrinkles (9). IPL uses lights of different wavelengths to speed up the skin cell turnover and fade the wrinkles on your hands. This process is recommended for darker and deeper imperfections. It offers a non-abrasive and non-invasive rejuvenation of the hands.
7. Chemical Peel
Another method that makes a huge difference in a short time is a chemical peel. It is also known as dermal peeling, and it involves a mixture of chemicals that are applied to your hands. This process eliminates the age spots and deep wrinkles on your hands (10). Chemical peels are not like your safe home remedies. Always consult a doctor as your prior skin condition history needs to be considered. Depending on your case, the doctor will also advise you against certain creams and medications before the procedure.
DIY Home Remedies For Wrinkles On Hands
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has moisturizing properties. It contains mucopolysaccharides that help bind moisture into the skin. It stimulates the fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin fibers. This helps in reducing wrinkles and softens the skin (11). Squeeze out the gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply it to your hands. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off. You can also just leave it on your skin.
2. Lemon Juice
Did you know that a citrus-based juice mixture prevents signs of aging? Citrus-based juices have antioxidant and anti-aging properties that help reduce cell damage. The oral administration of these mixtures has been found to increase collagen production and reduce wrinkle formation (12). Also, it helps prevent oxidative-stress induced premature skin aging. Apply a few drops of lemon juice mixed with yogurt to your hands and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off.
3. Banana Pulp
Bananas are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that help in fighting against the signs of aging like wrinkles (13). Apply one crushed banana to your hands and wash it off once the pulp dries. Repeat this process twice a week for best results.
4. Tomato Juice
Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C (14). Since vitamin C helps improve collagen production in the body, tomato juice may help prevent wrinkles. Also, the rich antioxidant profile of tomatoes may help fight the signs of aging caused by free radicals.
5. Carrot Paste
Carrots are a rich source of vitamin A (15). This is great for preventing and treating wrinkles by speeding up collagen production (16). Peel and steam a couple of carrots. Mash the steamed carrots to make a paste. Apply the carrot paste to your hands and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then, wash your hands with lukewarm water.
6. Olive Oil
Dry skin is one of the primary reasons for many skin-aging issues. Olive oil has a high degree of permeability. Thus, it can penetrate deep into the skin and moisturize it (17). Before heading to bed at night, massage a few drops of olive oil onto your hands. Rinse it off in the morning with warm water. This treatment should leave your hands feeling soft and supple.
7. Rice Paste
Did you know that rice and its by-products are potential skin aging inhibitors? Yes, rice grains contain antioxidants and anti-aging compounds. The compounds momilactones A and B (MA and MB) and tricin in rice grain are the most effective anti-aging compounds (18). Prepare the mask by grinding rice powder and combining it with rose water and milk. Apply the paste to your hands, and leave it on until it dries. Once it’s dry, wash the paste off with lukewarm water.
8. Watermelon Rind
Watermelon is packed with a compound called lycopene (19). Lycopene is an effective antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative and sun damage. Thus, it fights the signs of aging like wrinkles. Blend some watermelon and strain out the juice from it. Grate some of the rind and add it to the juice. Apply the mixture to your hands and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off with warm water.
9. Cucumber Slices
Cucumber is a potential anti-wrinkle agent (20). Rub a slice of cucumber that is dipped in honey all over your hands, focusing on the deepest and worst wrinkles. Massage it in for at least five minutes before washing it off.
10. Hydration
As you know, dehydration can cause weak and thin skin which, in turn, causes wrinkles. Aim to drink around 8 glasses of water a day to get healthy and wrinkle-free hands.
At what age do your hands start to wrinkle? Your hands start showing signs of aging from your late 20s. However, most people notice these signs of aging in their 40s. Are wrinkly hands genetic? Yes. Research suggests that 60% of your skin aging process can be attributed to genetic factors (21).
