Do Your Hands Show Your Age?

Article by BR Natalie

Hi.  My name is Natalie and I'm 36 years old.  I have a few smile lines, a lot of fine lines appearing around my eyes and the odd grey in my otherwise virgin hair.  So I think, on my way up the hill, I'm probably on track, you know, ageing wise.  So on track that not too long a go I was asked for ID at the supermarket.  The glory was short lived, the supervisor barely looked at my driver's license - I was outed by my hands.  My decrepit hands which would be better suited at the end of the arms of an octogenarian.

And no, this isn't a complex, a fixation or me doing the girl thing of making a slight flaw into a mountain.  My hands are crepe-y, vein-y and dehydrated.  No matter how much water I drink nor moisturiser I slather on, I have old hands.  I watch period dramas wishing tea gloves would become the to-do thing again.

Misery loves company so I take solace in the fact that I'm not the only woman being outed by her hands.  So what's the deal?  Why no matter how young our face looks do our hands give in so easily to time?

The skin on the back of the hands is thin - much thinner than on our face or neck.  It is easily affected by the environment and the ageing process in general.  When hands lose plumpness, due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin and the loss of fat, veins and knuckles can start to look more prominent.  As we age, our skin everywhere gets thinner, so when you're dealing with the thin skin on the back of your hands any loss of 'fat' or collagen is noticeable.  Skin quickly becomes loose and crepe-like.

Now you could go the way of expensive laser treatment, chemical peels and micro-dermabrasions, or you could try one simple piece of advice, courtesy of my beauty therapist.  It's rocked my world, so brace yourself.

Extend your skincare routine to include your hands.

Here's a couple of pointers:

• Sunscreen!  Anytime you are going to spend time in any amount of sun you should be using an SPF on any exposed body part.  UV rays interfere with collagen production - and  collagen is what makes our skin plump and young looking.
• Extend your skin care routine to your hands.  When applying your moisturiser, night creams and serums, apply them to the back of your hands and fingers as well.  Morning and night!

So remember this young whippersnappers - look after your hands, starting now!  Wear gloves when washing up, doing the chores, colouring your hair.  Nudge, pout and turn on the puppy dog eyes every night, and get the hubby to give you a hand massage while you watch The Crown.  And if your hands have already started to show the signs of ageing - just include them in your skincare routine.  That miracle product that you rave about for minimising your fine lines?  Think what it can do for you hands!

So come on - hands up, whose hands are giving away their age?  What are your top tips for young looking hands?