Hand rejuvenation

Frequently exposed to light and to environmental factors, the back of the hands is one of the areas where the passage of time can be read most clearly: the skin thins there, the subcutaneous fatty tissue becomes sparser and pigment spots appear, making the tendons and the veins more visible. Hand rejuvenation does not denote a single procedure, but a set of aesthetic medicine techniques which address these various components, on their own or in combination, according to what the assessment of each patient brings to light.

Two directions may be considered, when that is indicated. Volume restoration relies on the injection of a resorbable filling product into the plane situated beneath the skin, with the aim of restoring thickness to the back of the hand; improvement of skin quality calls on superficial microinjections aimed at hydration and firmness, or on techniques intended for sun-related spots. I favour a measured approach, in which the choice of the methods, their possible combination and the pace of the sessions are determined case by case and are specified in consultation, with respect for each person’s anatomy and expectations.

The session takes place at the practice. After cleansing and disinfection of the area, the injections are carried out by means of a fine needle or a cannula, according to the technique chosen. A surface anaesthetic may be offered, its relevance being discussed with the patient. What is felt during the procedure varies from one person to another, as does the duration of the session, which depends on the technique used and on the extent of the area treated.

After-effects may occur, such as swelling, bruising, redness or tenderness of the treated area, whose nature and duration vary from one person to another; the risks are set out in consultation. Instructions are given to each patient, notably concerning sun exposure and the everyday activities that make demands on the hands. My aim is to provide support without ever promising: the result is not predictable in advance and varies from one situation to another. A prior consultation is compulsory; it allows the hands to be examined, contraindications to be looked for, risks and alternatives to be explained, and the conclusion to be reached, where applicable, that the procedure is not indicated.