Wrinkled Hands: Causes, Treatment, And DIY Remedies

What Causes Wrinkles On Hands?

As you age, your skin loses its elasticity, which results in wrinkles. Since you use your hands for many activities constantly, the delicate skin on them develops wrinkles. Other than these factors, sun damage and smoking can result in wrinkles.

• 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 depletionⁱ  XDepletion of elastin in the body that makes skin saggy and leads to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. in your skin makes it more prone to wrinkles, making it look elderly way before you reach old age.

• 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 wrinkles and skin sagging.

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. A study included 7,765 participants, with 3,204 men (41.3%) and 4,561 women (58.7%). Its aim was to examine demographic characteristics, sun protection behaviors, and the prevalence of sunburns among older adults. Findings revealed that slightly over 20% of participants had skin that would burn or freckle with repeated sun exposure, while more than half had skin that would tan in varying shades, including light (29.0%), medium (26.0%), or very dark (7.8%). 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.

Tip: Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before stepping out into the sun. It takes your skin this amount of time to absorb the sunscreen.

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).

Tip: Don’t forget to apply moisturizer to your hands at night. It gets absorbed into your skin overnight and aids skin cell renewal.

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).

Tip: Avoid sun exposure after applying any retinoid creams. These creams make your skin sensitive to the sun’s UV rays. Also, sunlight can decrease the efficacy of the products. Hence, apply these creams only at night.

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 treatmentⁱ  XA skin-safe treatment that reduces wrinkles, brown spots, and minor scars by generating heat beneath the skin. uses broad-spectrum light to treat sun damage on the hands. It helps re-texture the skin and makes your hands look younger (8).

Quick Tip

You should avoid sun exposure for at least two months prior to your laser skin resurfacing treatment to prevent pigmentation.

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.

Quick Tip

The deeper the chemical peel, the better the results. However, it takes longer to recover from it. Aftercare involves avoiding heat, exercise, sweat, and skincare acids and moisturizing gently.

8. Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is another treatment for wrinkles on hands. It uses super-cold liquid nitrogen to freeze and reduce wrinkles. The number of cryotherapy sessions you will need depends on how deep and widespread your wrinkles are. Some research sheds light on the effectiveness of focused cold therapy in treating forehead wrinkles (11).

9. Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a surgical treatment that involves the abrasion of the top layers of the skin with a fast-rotating instrument under controlled conditions. It’s used to target fine wrinkles and moles. It also may help reduce scars (12). The procedure may cause scabbing, swelling, and other temporary changes in skin color. These usually subside within 2 weeks, though some effects may linger for several months. Results may not be immediately visible and some improvements may take several months to become apparent.

Apart from these treatments, certain home remedies may also help reduce wrinkles on your hands. Check them out in the next section.

DIY Home Remedies For Wrinkles On Hands

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has moisturizing properties. It contains mucopolysaccharidesⁱ  XMolecules made of connected sugar molecules present in the mucus and the fluid surrounding the joints that help form tissues. that help bind moisture into the skin. It stimulates the fibroblastsⁱ  XCells that produce collagen proteins forming the connective tissue that keep the body's tissues intact and help heal wounds. that produce collagen and elastin fibers. This helps in reducing wrinkles and softens the skin (13). 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 (14). Also, it helps prevent free radicalsⁱ  XUnstable atoms that can cause damage to cells, leading to chronic illness and premature aging. and antioxidants in the body.” ] 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 polyphenolsⁱ  XCompounds that act as antioxidants and may help improve digestion and brain health and may prevent many diseases like cancer. that help in fighting against the signs of aging like wrinkles (15). 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 (16). 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 (17). This is great for preventing and treating wrinkles by speeding up collagen production (18). 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 (19). 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 (20). 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 (21). 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 (22). 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.

Khichi, a YouTuber, talks about her experience of how she got rid of wrinkles and dry and flaky-looking hands. She makes an exfoliating and moisturizing hand mask using baking soda, orange peel powder, petroleum jelly, and honey and applies it all over her hands. After showing the process, she states, “I like to take any of oil or end cream massage across the hands (i).”

Infographic: 6 Ways To Treat Wrinkled Hands

Age, smoking, and sun damage can reduce skin elasticity and moisture, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles. The good news is the right tips and treatments can help improve the appearance of your wrinkles and fine lines. Check out the infographic below for simple and effective ways to keep your hands looking youthful.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. CP ThajudheenMD

   

Dr. CP Thajudheen has over 20 years of experience in various lasers, light-based devices, and other advanced equipment. He was one of the beginners who introduced cutaneous lasers in India. He carries out dermato surgeries regularly, including hair grafting and vitiligo surgeries. He runs multiple laser centers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and has trained many doctors in lasers and...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more