When we think about skin care and looking our brightest, we often put all our energy into what people see first… our faces. We (hopefully) spend plenty of time moisturizing and being thoughtful of using the right products, but we tend to overlook the two most used parts of our body’s: our hands and feet.
With all the trouble we put them through, our hands and feet need a lot of love too. Think about the constant hand washing and standing long hours; it’s no wonder they often appear dry, cracked, or age faster than the rest of us. Here are some helpful tips to consider when wanting to provide the best care for your hands and feet.
Signs of Aging in Your Hands
You’ve seen it before, a beautifully made-up face paired with wrinkly hands. Your age is showing. There are several signs of aging when it comes to your hands:
- actinic keratoses (scaly patches)
- age spots
- crepe-paper-like appearance or wrinkles
- loose or rough skin
- dark, visible veins
Reverse Aging Hands
While you can’t stop the clock, there are a number of treatments available that can reduce the appearance of these signs of aging. A filler or fat injection can plump skin to restore a youthful appearance while laser is great for reducing the appearance of dark veins. A light chemical peel—combined with lotion containing retinol or glycolic acid—can reduce that crepe-like appearance as well as rough patches. Radiofrequency is also utilized for tightening loose skin.
Signs of Aging in Your Feet
The skin of the foot changes in texture and you’ll notice sole of the foot loses fat with age. It’s the reason older people complain of foot pain and soreness. As the fat pads diminish, the skin can also suffer from added stress causing dryness and cracks. Many people develop calluses on their feet due to hammertoes, and let’s not forget the issues that happen with toenails. As you age, toenails become thicker and harder to manage. Fungal infections and poor circulation can make toenails brittle as well.
To take care of your feet, make sure you are wearing the right shoes. Pointy or too-small shoes can lead to painful, inflamed ingrown toenails. You’ll also want to avoid being barefoot in public places like swimming pool or lock room showers where fungal or viral infections easily spread. And take care of your cuticles too. Keep them hydrated to create a barrier against yeast, fungus, and bacteria.
You Need to Moisturize Often
Just because you lotion after a shower (and you should), doesn’t mean you are done with your moisturizing routine for the day. Every time you wash your hands or sanitize, you are removing important oils from your skin. Moisturize regularly and often. Also, don’t underestimate the power of petroleum jelly. Whatever you use to hydrate, make use it includes an SPF of at least 15. The sun’s rays are also drying. Your dermatologist can recommend products that works best for your skin type and concern.
Schedule an appointment with The Derm Group by calling 973.571.2121 to learn more about how you can reduce the appearance of aging in hands and feet.