Plastic surgeon shares how you can improve the look of wrinkled, damaged hands and 'make them more youthful'

Plastic reconstructive and aesthetics surgeon Mark Solomos revealed how women can improve the appearance of wrinkled, damaged hands.

While it's unlikely you can entirely reverse the damage that comes with time, it is certainly possible to make real improvements.

The expert said: "Once hands have been damaged by the effects of UV rays, it is quite difficult to reverse this. However, you can make them look better and more youthful.

"Use a hand cream with hyaluronic acid as this will help increase skin volume from moisture which in turn helps to fill in wrinkles.

"Frequent exfoliation using ingredients such as glycolic acid and retinoids will also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and boost the production of collagen.

"Retinol and vitamin A creams are the only emulsions that reverse photoaging and sun damage on the hands and so are also a good choice.

"Always remember to wear a high SPF with added moisturisers on the hands as a lot of people forget the hands also need a good coating. Look to use the SPF at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors and make sure this is worn year-round, especially if you like to garden or work outdoors.

"Drinking plenty of water and keeping the body and skin hydrated is an overall good idea, alongside eating a healthy diet with plenty of leafy green vegetables which are packed full of vitamins and antioxidants which will all help with the natural ageing process.

"Oily fish, fruits, pulses and nuts are also good choices as they are packed full of vitamins.

"Try to avoid smoking and drinking excess alcohol which only prematurely age the skin."

While at-home methods can make a big difference, some women will be keen to explore other options.

The plastic surgeon said: "A non-invasive laser treatment such as Fraxel is a good choice which helps the body to make more collagen and in turn makes hands look more youthful. This is not a cheap treatment and you will need to have regular sessions.

"Some can look to have hyaluronic fillers in the hands which help to plump the skin. This is an effective treatment but can be fairly painful and cost around £500. This is also a treatment which needs to be performed fairly regularly."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• The exact amount of sunscreen you should be wearing to reduce wrinkles
• Plastic surgeon shares how to reduce mouth wrinkles with daily habit
• Get healthier, hydrated hair by 'ditching' a common styling technique

Cindy Jones, owner, formulator and chemist at Colorado Aromatics, also weighed in on how women can make their hands look younger.

She said: "If only we took care of our hands as well as we took care of our face.

"Our hands are out there exposed to the sun and the elements every day. The best way to have younger-looking hands is to wear gloves like women used to do as part of their 'dress up'. However, I don't see that happening."

To improve the appearance of your hands sans fashionable gloves, the expert said: "Exfoliate your hands with a sugar or salt scrub. Removing those layers of dry, dead skin is important to let moisture get in and brighten the skin."

According to Cindy, women should be treating the skin on their hands much like the skin on their faces.

She said: "Moisturiser your hands with the same moisturiser you use for your face. Typically, face care products have more actives in them to help skin look younger. Use these same ingredients on the back of your hands: hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, niacinamide and vitamin D.

"Use a product for hyperpigmentation. Hands typically have darker age spots just as the face does. Do some spot treatment on these spots with a mask that targets hyperpigmentation. Hands are typically less sensitive than the face, so irritation is less of a worry."

She did advise using gloves to reverse the hands of time though. She advised: "Periodically apply moisturiser and then put a thin pair of white gloves over them while you sleep so that the moisturiser can be there longer.

"Wear rubber gloves when you are washing dishes. Wear garden gloves when you are in the garden."

For women who are concerned with ageing in other parts of their bodies, a plastic surgeon shared how to reduce wrinkles and sagginess without going under the knife.