Pro anti-ageing hand treatments: How to turn back time on ageing hands

Ageing hands are a growing concern for women, as they are often one of the first places to show signs of age on our body, even before our face. So how do we keep our hands looking youthful when they begin to show the tell-tale signs of our age for more than half of women as early as 34.

And even if you’ve been productive with keeping your face looking young, hands can prove a much harder task. When it comes to body parts that give away our age, hands were voted top by UK women in a survey conducted by British cosmetics brand Transformulas.

Over three-quarters of the women who took part in the survey said they believe their true age is betrayed by their hands, and 80% even said they would notice if another woman’s hands looked elderly when they met her. Hands also came top of the list for body parts women worry about the most, beating both grey hairs and wrinkles. But despite this growing concern, they’re low on our list of priorities when it comes to our moisturising regime.

Too much sun exposure can result in dark spots on the hands, a pigmentation problem that can give age away. The four other signs of ageing skin include dullness, uneven skin, fine lines and rough texture, and loss of elasticity.

And with only just over half of the women in the survey saying they regularly moisturise their hands, is there a better, less time-consuming treatment to offer to clients, avoiding the need to add hands into their daily moisturising routine? We researched some of the treatments and creams on the market.

Anti-ageing hand facial

Repêchage has designed an anti-ageing hand facial that reduces irritation and evens skin tone. The treatment involves a glycolic peel, a serum enriched with seaweed extract including vitamins, minerals and amino acids, as well as a massage with Repêchage’s Biolight Brightening Body Corrector, which helps reduce the appearance of age spots and discolouration. The 30-minute treatment is finished with a coat of polish being applied to the nails, and has also been re-created in two shorter treatments, express and on-the-go for time-poor clients.

The Repêchage hand facial can be complimented with the brand’s Sea Spa Hand Cream. The smooth, non-greasy formula is rich in antioxidants to soothe and help protect dry hands from premature ageing, and uses ingredients such as lavender oil, chamomile and eucalyptus to nourish the skin with vitamins A, E and F.

TCA hand peel

TCA peels use a deep peeling agent called Trichloroacetic acid to refresh tired looking hands and remove dead cells from the surface of the skin using an intense exfoliation process. After the treatment skin appears softer and healthier, with fine lines and wrinkles reduced and blemishes noticeably smaller. The peel can also be used to correct skin pigmentation problems.

IPL hand rejuvenation

The Intense Pulse Light (IPL) rejuvenation is a non-invasive treatment to help reverse the effects of ageing on the skin. The treatment improves the overall colour and texture of the skin, using an advanced technology to allow treatments to be customised to different skin tones and conditions. The appearance of dark spots on the hands is also improved and skin feels fresh and rejuvenated.

Ahava Age Perfecting Hand Cream

The multi-benefit cream visibly reduces the appearance of dark spots, evens skin tone and protects hands from the common signs of ageing. The VF Brightening Accelerator Complex and brown algae formula infuses the skin with a blend of vitamins, plants and algae to assist with the critical steps of the Melanogenesis process, helping to brighten and smooth skin and prevent dark spots from forming. The 3D Anti-Ageing Complex reduces skin’s irritation and roughness, and the SPF 15 formula also contains Dead Sea minerals to help enhance skin’s natural ability to retain moisture.

Reamin Protective Hand Cream

The protective hand cream has been specially developed for spa and salon professionals. The beeswax formula offers natural protection for those working in wet environments that are often exposed to chemicals and tools. The cream has been formulated for quick absorption into the skin, helping to soothe dry, cracked and itchy skin, while moisturising to prevent skin drying out. Reamin also helps to re-establish the skin’s natural oils to strengthen the outer layer of the skin, in turn ensuring the moisture within the skin is maintained. 

Seams Hand Cream 

Seams Hand Cream uses a blend of fragonia oil, shea butter and macadamia nut oil to moisturise, and garden cress to help fade age spots. The formula is designed to deliver long last hydration without a greasy residue, while also maintaining and protecting both hands and nails.

Aromatherapy Associates Renewing Rose Hand Cream

This scented, nourishing hand cream contains sea daffodil to help reduce the appearance of blemishes such as age spots, and omega 6 to soften hands and support the skin’s natural ability to regenerate. Rose and geranium oils are combined with passion flower to soothe dry skin and hydrate hands using a non-greasy formula. The cream also boots circulation to maintain and protect hand’s skin.

3 tips for keeping hands looking young

1. Dry your hands thoroughly after washing, any leftover water will eventually evaporate and leave the skin feeling dry.

2. If you’re working in a spa or salon and often using different oils and washing your hands, make sure you use a cream to keep them hydrated throughout the day, and moisturise for at least five minutes.

3. Always use a base coat when prepping nails

Image credits: (from top) Repêchage, Ahava and Seams