HAND REJUVENATION
A combination of laser, injectables and plastic surgery to make an aging hand looks more youthful.
As one gets older, hands lose volume, fat and elasticity. The fatty layer of the hand disappears, so the skin is more translucent and shriveled, making underlying structures like bones, tendons and veins perceptible.
Graduated from New York University as a fellow of plastic surgery in 1990, Dr. Husami, MD, Cosmetic, Plastic and hand surgeon, explains that whether you require volume replacement, correction of sun damage or erasure of lines and wrinkles, there are numerous treatment options to choose from.
Only a skilled cosmetic surgeon can successfully improve hands appearance since most procedures are minimally invasive, but in the case of very loose, wrinkled skin, a surgery to remove excess skin may be recommended.
Making sure that your doctor is registered in LSPRAS (www.lspras.com) is already the first step towards safety.
LOSS OF VOLUME
Fillers (such as polyactic acid or hyaluronic acid)
• The filler is injected into the hand at multiple locations.
• It is placed in layers at multiple levels to reshape and augment the hands.
Fat injections (fat transfer or autologous fat grafting)
• Liposuction with suction tubes (cannulas) is used to remove fatty tissue from areas of the body.
• The fat is then processed then re-injected into the hands.
• The fat is grafted in layers at multiple levels to reshape and cover underlying vessels and tendons.
• The liposuction incisions are closed with sutures.
AGE SPOTS
Intense pulsed light (IPL) and photodynamic therapy (PDT)
• The IPL hand piece is placed directly over the treatment area, After a series of treatments, the spots and discolorations will be begin to fade.
• PDT uses a solution on the skin before applying the IPL device which allows for more aggressive treatment.
Chemical peels
• Acid will be applied to the top of the hands peeling some of the hyper pigmentation and small wrinkles
VEINS
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is effective for medium-sized blood vessels (greater than 3 mm in diameter). It is a procedure in which a mixture of sodium chloride and lidocaine is injected directly into the vein. This causes the vein to swell or blanch, turn light, then collapse to a size much smaller than it was.
There is no downtime but it may take several treatments.
Laser vein treatment
This technique is typically used to treat small to medium-sized blood vessels (1-3 mm in diameter).
A hand piece is passed over the skin and the laser light is absorbed by the blood, causing the vessels to coagulate and be absorbed by the body.
SKIN EXCISION
In the case of very loose, wrinkled skin, the plastic surgeon may recommend surgery to remove excess skin.
• The surgeon will generally make an incision on the top of the hand by the wrist and remove loose skin, then suture back together.
• A fat transfer may be done. A tape placed on the skin of the infiltrated areas will be left in place for 3 or 4 days as a protective barrier
• Some swelling and pain is to be expected afterwards and can be managed by medication.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia or intravenous sedation
Recovery
• Wearing compression garments.
• Taking an antibiotic if prescribed.
• Limit the level and type of activity for a small period.
• The amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
• Normal activities are regained within hours or several days.
Results
Temporary fillers usually last from three months to one year.
Fat grafts are usually long-lasting. Injections may be repeated when necessary.
Results of skin tightening will depend on the type of treatment used.
Expectations
Patients with a history of impaired healing, such as diabetes, ongoing sun exposure, and smoking will see a less dramatic initial result and a shorter lasting result.
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