Hands lose volume and skin quality on a different timeline to the face, and respond poorly to treatments designed for facial skin.
Hands show change earlier than most people expect and later than most people look. The skin is thinner than facial skin, receives more cumulative sun exposure, and sits over tendons and veins with very little padding between. As the fat layer beneath thins, those structures become prominent, and the skin itself becomes crepey and more visibly pigmented.
Hand rejuvenation addresses two separate things: the volume beneath the skin, and the quality of the skin itself. Which matters more depends on the hand, and most patients need some of both.
For volume, hyaluronic acid filler is placed in the layer above the tendons, usually with a cannula through one or two entry points and then massaged to distribute it evenly. Restoring that padding reduces how prominent the tendons and veins appear. Placement is deliberately even rather than focused, because a hand with a discrete lump of filler in it looks considerably worse than a hand with visible tendons.
For skin quality, a collagen stimulator such as Radiesse can be used, often diluted, which restores some structure immediately and then builds the skin’s own collagen over the following months. Skin boosters and polynucleotides improve hydration and crepiness without adding structure.
Neither route addresses pigmentation. Sun-related marks on the hands are a skincare and peel question, and daily sun protection on the backs of the hands is the single most useful thing you can do, both before treatment and after. Most patients apply sunscreen to their face for years and never to their hands, which is why the two age at different rates.
It may suit you if you are looking to:
It is not the right treatment for pigmentation or sun damage on the hands, which needs a skincare and peel approach instead, and it will not remove prominent veins caused by venous anatomy rather than by lost volume.
As an injectable treatment, it is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Numbing cream is applied and a cannula is used where appropriate. Treatment takes around 30 minutes for both hands.
Swelling is common for a few days and can be more noticeable than patients expect, since hands are used constantly. Bruising can occur at entry points. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous hand use for around 24 hours.
Volume results are visible immediately once swelling settles. Where a collagen stimulator is used, the meaningful improvement in skin quality builds over three to six months. Results generally last twelve to eighteen months depending on the route chosen.
| Treatment | London | Sevenoaks |
|---|---|---|
| Hand rejuvenation fillers | From £595 | From £550 |
| Radiesse, collagen-stimulating treatment | From £690 | From £690 |
| Skin booster, Profhilo | From £350 | From £350 |
New patient consultation, £195 at both clinics. If you go ahead with treatment on the day of your appointment, this fee is deducted from the cost of your treatment.
Prices correct as published and subject to change.
“Hands are the area patients think about last and the one that most often gives everything else away. They also need treating differently. Facial protocols do not translate: the skin is thinner, there is far less padding, and product needs distributing evenly rather than placed in one spot. And I always have the sunscreen conversation, because almost nobody puts it on their hands, which is precisely why the hands and the face are ageing at different speeds.”
Dr Ellie Sateei has over two decades of experience in dermatology and aesthetics.
Filler from £595 in London. Where a collagen stimulator is more appropriate, Radiesse is from £690. Your consultation is £195, deducted from treatment on the day.
Generally twelve to eighteen months, depending on whether filler or a collagen stimulator is used.
It reduces how prominent they appear by restoring the padding above them. It does not remove veins, and prominent veins caused by venous anatomy rather than lost volume will not improve.
No. Pigmentation and sun damage need a skincare and peel approach rather than an injectable. Dr Sateei will set out that route separately.
Swelling for a few days is common and can be more noticeable than expected. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous hand use for around 24 hours.
Filler where the main issue is lost padding. A collagen stimulator where skin quality and crepiness matter as much as volume. This is decided at consultation.
Hand rejuvenation is often planned alongside these.
Hands need assessing on their own terms, as volume, skin quality and pigment are three different problems with three different answers. If your hands have thinned or become crepey, the most useful next step is working out which of the three is dominant. Dr Ellie Sateei sees patients at her London clinic.
Our London clinic is located at 91a New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6XF
We serve patients from London, Kent and the home counties as well as from all over the world. Our London clinic sits in the heart of Marylebone, within easy reach of the West End by tube, while our Sevenoaks clinic in Ightham is moments from the M25 and M26 for patients across Kent.
