As we age, skin on the hands can lose fat, becoming thin and bony, with prominent veins. Age spots, fine lines and wrinkles change the look and feel of the hands.

As we age, skin on the hands can lose fat, becoming thin and bony, with prominent veins. Age spots, fine lines and wrinkles change the look and feel of the hands. Overall, hand rejuvenation needs to address two key aspects: volume rejuvenation and skin rejuvenation. A variety of techniques exist for bringing volume and freshness to the hands, erasing the telltale signs of ageing.

Hand rejuvenation with dermal fillers is growing in popularity because it can give the hands a fresher and more youthful appearance by volumising the skin, minimising wrinkles, and hiding prominent veins. Fillers containing dermal stimulants go a step further encouraging the production of collagen in the skin, leading to increased volume and prolonged treatment effectiveness.

Please also take a look at this article about dermal fillers in general, not just relating to hand rejuvenation.

Reasons for choosing to have hand rejuvenation with dermal fillers

You are an ideal candidate for hand treatments with dermal fillers if

• Your hands show signs of ageing, and the backs of your hands have developed wrinkles and fine lines.
• Your hands have lost volume and roundness, appearing bony and thin.
• You have prominent veins on the back of your hands.

Reasons for avoiding hand rejuvenation with dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are known to produce great results for many people. However, these treatments are not for everyone and may not always bring the desired effects. Here’s a list of reasons that would make you unsuitable for dermal filler treatments:

• You have an infection or inflammation in the treatment area.
• You have a known hypersensitivity to any components of chosen dermal filler.
• You are prone to inflammatory skin conditions or have a tendency to develop hypertrophic scars.

Furthermore, people with systemic disorders (such as diabetes) with poor wound healing should not have dermal filler injections because they may lead to deterioration of tissue in the surrounding area.

Dermal fillers should not be injected into the epidermis or be used as skin replacement. Doing so may lead to complications including infections, nodule growth, fistula formation and hardening of tissue. Neither are dermal fillers suitable for use in areas that lack sufficient blood supply. Some fillers should not be used in areas that have been previously injected with liquid silicone and other specific materials.

Things to consider once you’ve decided to have your hands rejuvenated with dermal fillers

There are a variety of dermal fillers available, the materials of which can be found naturally in our bodies.

There are three main types of dermal fillers available and within these types there are many brands to choose from. The TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) prevents anyone in Australia from discussing both brand names and their ingredients in any open forum. Therefore, you will need to seek your doctor’s advice on which is best for you depending on your needs.

Essentially, each dermal filler has a different level of viscosity and each is best suited for a certain type of application. Some fillers last 3 – 6 months, some last 6 – 12 months and others, considered long lasting, are effective for at least a year and longer. There are a few dermal fillers available that are also considered ‘dermal stimulants’ in that they stimulate collagen production.

The aim of all fillers is to replace lost volume, erase wrinkles, folds and thin surface lines.

What to expect

A hand treatment with dermal fillers is a non-invasive procedure that requires little down time. It is a walk-in-walk-out procedure and can be completed within 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the extent of area treated.

The injections are made between the spaces of the fingers; usually between the second and third fingers, and the third and fourth fingers. They are usually made after an injection of a local anaesthetic such as lidocaine.

Different doctors have their preferred methods of injecting the filler, including the amount of filler and anaesthetic required. Some doctors may also apply numbing cream to your hands before injecting, some do not.

Cold packs may be applied to your hands immediately after the dermal filler injections.

After injecting fillers, your hands will be massaged to spread the filler across the tops of your hands.  Special care will be taken in the areas above and around the veins and tendons. Results of your hand rejuvenation will be immediate and the effect will generally last for six months or longer.

Before and after treatment

Before you have any treatment or procedure, your doctor will ask about any medical conditions and medications that you are taking, and discuss any potential risks and complications of the treatment.

You are not required to prepare before having this treatment. However, you may benefit from the following measures:

• Bruising is a common after-effect of dermal filler injections. To minimise bruising following treatment, stop taking Nurofen, aspirin, and all other anti-inflammatory medications or blood thinners at least one week before your treatment date. Do not, however, stop taking any prescribed medications without your doctor’s approval. It is safe to take paracetamol such as Panadol as a painkiller.
• At least one week before the treatment, stop taking any fish oil supplements, garlic or ginger tablets, and supplements containing evening primrose, St John’s Wort or ginkgo biloba. You should also stop any multivitamins containing Vitamin E.
• Giving up alcohol is recommended before any procedure. You should avoid alcohol for at least one day before the treatment date.

After the treatment

There are some things you can do following any type of treatment or procedure to speed up the healing process.

You can return to normal activities soon after treatment. Following your doctor’s post treatment instructions will hasten recovery after dermal filler hand rejuvenation treatments. Here’s a potential list:

• If there is any bruising or swelling after treatment, until it subsides, you should avoid drinking alcohol; discontinue taking vitamin E, Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Nurofen.
• Take pain medications that do not increase bruising such as acetaminophen or acetaminophen-containing products.
• Avoid strenuous exercise for a couple of days following treatment, or until any swelling subsides. Exercising increases heart rate and quickens blood flow, prolonging swelling.
• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun, heat or freezing temperatures until the swelling subsides. You should also stay out of solariums and saunas for four weeks after treatment.
• You may wear makeup immediately following treatment. Some doctors recommend mineral based cosmetics; they allow the skin to breath during the healing process, especially if there is bruising. Your doctor, may, however, instruct you to avoid makeup for at least 12 hours after treatment. Consult your doctor for specific instructions.
• Your doctor may or may not recommend herbal supplements to help hasten recovery from bruising or swelling.
• Avoid rubbing the treatment area for a few days.
• Those who are treated with a thick, long lasting filler may be asked to massage the treated area from time to time for a few days. If not massaged, tiny lumps may occasionally form around the treated area. To avoid this, your doctor may ask you to follow a 5-5-5 regimen, massaging the treatment area for five days, five times a day for five minutes each occasion.

Possible risks and complications

As with any procedure there are risks involved in hand treatments with dermal fillers. You should be fully aware of these before you elect to have the treatment. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

There are complications that can occur as a result of any procedure.

Possible risks and complications that may arise after hand treatments are usually minimal and last only a short time. They include:

• Allergic reactions
• Swelling
• Inflammatory reactions resulting in nodule formation, cold sores, a flare-up of arthritis and other similar problems
• Infections
• Bleeding, bruising and scarring
• Blisters and cysts
• Bumps and lumps
• Numbness may occur as well as palsy—loss of the ability to move a part of the body or uncontrollable tremors
• Migration of filler material to a site different from its intended location

The experience and expertise of the injector plays a crucial role in avoiding adverse after-effects. This is why you should choose an accredited practitioner for cosmetic treatments such as dermal filler injections.

Rough costs involved

The cost of a dermal filler hand treatment will vary depending on the type of filler, the extent of treatment needed and the volume of filler required. Generally, the fee is calculated upon the cost of 1ml of dermal filler multiplied by the volume required for the treatment area. There is also a price difference between temporary and more permanent dermal fillers.

Your chosen doctor will usually provide a free initial consulting session and determine what type of filler is necessary and in what volumes.

This information is correct as of 2019.