Healthy Beauty Outsmart Aging

Medical Fillers for Hands continued...

Initially, results can last from one to two years, longer than in the face, say experts, because the back of the hand has fewer muscles and less muscle activity capable of breaking down the filler. Buford says there is also evidence the injections stimulate the body's own production of collagen and elastin, so as time goes on you may need less filler less often to maintain the youthful look.

The Risks of Medical Fillers: Buford cautions about a theoretical risk of tiny lumps of filler and skin that form under the skin and that require surgery to remove. So far, no cases have been reported. Also, African-Americans or others who may have a tendency toward the formation of scar tissue or "keloids" should use only under the care of someone experienced in treating ethnic skin, says Buford.

The Cost of Medical Fillers: Depending on how much you need (men usually require three injections per hand, women about two), the cost can run from $1,000 to $6,000 per pair.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

For those who are needle-shy, or who want to amp up the impact of their filler treatments, experts say a few zaps from the new fractional laser skin resurfacing tool can do the trick.

Unlike laser treatments in the past that caused deep wounding and long recovery time, the new lasers create miniscule pinholes in the skin that inspire your body to begin producing its own collagen and elastin, without scarring, redness, or recovery time.

"You get the benefits of laser resurfacing -- still the best way to remove wrinkles -- but without the down time and complication rate," says Goldberg.

But how do they keep hands looking younger? Marmur says by stimulating new collagen and elastin to grow, the treatments restore the skin's underlying support structure, making wrinkles disappear. Within several weeks you replace some of the firm, tight look of youthful skin.

An added bonus: Marmur says laser treatments help re-texture the skin itself, so your hands look younger and fresher almost instantly.

Your new collagen and elastin are permanent, but since the aging process and sun exposure continue to break them down, lasting effects vary. Marmur says with good care and judicious use of sunscreen, you could see the improvement up to five years or more.

The Risks of Laser Skin Resurfacing: In one study of 961 patients published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery in 2008, doctors reported that about 7.5% of those treated with fractional lasers on the face developed complications. The most common were temporary acne breakouts or local recurrences of the herpes simplex virus. Patients with darker skin were at greater risk for temporary inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The study's researchers noted that there was also a small risk of scarring reported.

The Cost of Laser Skin Resurfacing: Expect to pay approximately $750 per pair of hands, per treatment. Most people need three to five sessions.