Hand rejuvenation: a review and our experience

Dermatol Surg. 2012 Jul;38(7 Pt 2):1112-27. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02291.x. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

Abstract

Background: The aged hand is characterized by cutaneous and dermal atrophy, with deep intermetacarpal spaces, prominent bones and tendons, and bulging reticular veins. Epidermal changes include solar lentigines, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses, skin laxity, rhytides, tactile roughness, and telangiectasia.

Study design: A Medline search was performed on hand rejuvenation from 1989 to 2011, and results are summarized. Practical applications of these procedures are also discussed.

Results: Reports of injectable hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, autologous fat transfer, vein treatment, and chemical peels, along with lasers and light sources such as Q-switched laser, intense pulsed light, photodynamic therapy, nonablative resurfacing lasers, and ablative resurfacing lasers, in the rejuvenation of hands were found.

Conclusion: Review of the literature revealed options for minimally invasive treatment for rejuvenation of the skin and volume restoration of the dorsal hand. These treatments include injectables and fat transfer for volume restoration; sclerotherapy or vein ablation for dorsal hand vein treatment; and chemical peels, lasers, light, and energies for the treatment of epidermal and dermal changes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Adipose Tissue / transplantation
  • Atrophy
  • Biocompatible Materials / administration & dosage
  • Cosmetic Techniques*
  • Durapatite / administration & dosage
  • Hand* / pathology
  • Hand* / physiology
  • Hand* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Hyaluronic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Injections
  • Lactic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Laser Therapy
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Polidocanol
  • Polyesters
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage
  • Polymers / therapeutic use
  • Rejuvenation* / physiology
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Skin Aging* / physiology
  • Tissue Adhesives / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • Tissue Adhesives
  • Polidocanol
  • Lactic Acid
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • poly(lactide)
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Durapatite
  • Restylane