Hands are a dead giveaway of age. Unfortunately, many women fail to make hand health a priority. Instead, facial aging becomes an obsession and hand health falls to the wayside.
The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent and even reverse aging in the way of hands and nails. Here are four ways to keep your hands and nails youthful.
1. Moisturize often.
When it comes to keeping hands young, moisturizer is key. Dry, cracked hands give off an older appearance. But smooth, soft hands create a youthful vibe.
According to Elle, there are a number of good moisturizing options for hand health. The first is Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream. This cream is filled with important anti-aging agents. Grapeseed oil, sweet orange pulp and avocado are just a few of the powerful antioxidants found in this cream. Plus, it’s said to smell yummy.
For those who don’t mind shelling out a little cash, Elle says that another excellent option is Kat Burki Hand Therapy. This option is loaded with arnica, gotu kola, lavender, calendula, chamomile, and cold-pressed oils. These ingredients make for smooth, soft hands.
And if you’re looking to strengthen skin, the experts at Elle say to give Murad Rejuvenating AHA Hand Cream a try. Like many facial products, this option contains glycolic acid. This will help to brighten skin.
2. Take action to reduce or eliminate brown spots.
If there’s one dead giveaway when it comes to age and hands, it’s age spots. This is why many women take action to reduce and even eliminate brown spots.
According to Prevention, there are three ways to do this. The first to use a spot reducing cream. Dr. Marguerite Germain, a dermatologist located in South Carolina, tells Prevention that a good option in this respect is SkinCeuticals Phyto+. She says that this natural option combines cucumber and thyme extracts to keep skin moist. In addition, kojic acid and arbutin lighten the appearance of age spots.
For a prescription option, Germain tells Prevention that a topical cream called Tri-Luma is a good choice. This medication will reduce the appearance of age spots more than over-the-counter choices. That’s because this cream does three things: it lightens, exfoliates and reduces inflammation. However, it’s not cheap. A bottle of Tri-Luma is said to run between $109 and $118. (Side Note: Experts say this option can make the skin burn more easily in the sun, so wear sunscreen if you’re using Tri-Luma. And remember that sun exposure will darken spots in general.)
The third option is one that’s been around for years. That is the time-tested laser treatment. Laser treatments can lighten spots and, in some cases, make them fade away. To find out about this option, visit a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. And know ahead of time that laser lightening can be costly.
3. Get a paraffin wax dip.
Not only is a paraffin wax dip great for the skin, it’s relaxing too. In this treatment, a nail technician will dip hands into hot paraffin wax. The wax then cools and hardens, making it easy to peel off a few minutes later. The results of this option are instant. Your hands will feel softer and smoother than they have in years.
4. Use sunscreen on your hands.
We often think of sunscreen when it comes to facial aging, but using sunscreen on our hands is equally important. After all, every part of our body ages with sun exposure.
Studies back this concept up. According to CNN, one such study confirms the belief that sunscreen helps to prevent wrinkling, spotting, and decreased skin elasticity caused by the sun.
So look for a hand cream that contains sunscreen. Your hands will thank you later (when they look younger than the hands of your friends).
5. Wear nail polish.
As we age, our nails can become brittle. In addition, they can develop vertical lines that signify age. However, nail polish can hide these signs of age.
Plus, nail polish is an all-around fun way to make hands look more youthful. To make polishing nails even more fun, consider vibrant fun colors that reflect the season. And if you don’t like painting your nails, try nail wraps. These extremely popular options are available at most drug stores.
6. Get a professional manicure.
Part of keeping hands youthful is keeping their appearance up. This is where manicures come into play. Not only can a manicurist trim nails to a youthful length (excessively long nails make you look older), he or she can trim cuticles in a safe manner. Plus you’ll get a relaxing massage at the end of a manicure.
7. Eat right.
Nutrition and youthful hands are a team. This is why you’ve got to eat with hand health in mind.
According to Reader’s Digest, there are a number of things you can eat to preserve hand health. The first is to choose foods that are rich in folate like lentils and spinach. This can help to prevent dull nails. In addition, foods that are rich in iron can combat brittle nails that can give off a dull appearance.
Another good option for youthful nails is foods high in antioxidants. According to Fox News, blueberries are a good option in this respect. “Antioxidants help to protect your body’s cells against free radical damage,” Erin Palinski, a registered dietician and author of Belly Fat Diet For Dummies, tells Fox News. “This damage increases stress hormones and inflammation, which impacts all cells in the body, including those in the hair and nails.” Palinski says that blueberries contain some of the highest antioxidant properties in the way of fruits.
A more exotic option for nail health is oysters. That’s because oysters are rich in zinc. “Zinc is needed for many biological processes, including making proteins like those in your hair and nails,” Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City tells Fox News.