Hand Rejuvenation with Radiesse and Laser

TurnBack the Hands of Time....

Did you know that hands are the second leading indicator of age after the face? People often focus on the signs of aging of the face and completely overlook the hands. Sun-damaged, wrinkled skin and prominent tendons and veins can make you look older than you actually are. Sun spots can be treated with our Alexandrite laser in the office. Meanwhile, Radiesse is a great choice for restoring the volume loss, prominent veins and tendons, and thinning skin that typically begins in the 40's. Radiesse is a unique filler that actually stimulates collagen production. Dr. Brown has been recognized as a Certified Injector of Radiesse for Hands, which is only designated for specific physicians/providers who have completed specialized training with this procedure.

Is Radiesse permanent?
Radiesse injections typically last about 1 year, at which time injections must be repeated to maintain the desired results. Some patients prefer to have a touch-up treatment at 6 months to improve the appearance even more. Unfortunately, your body is breaking down more collagen than it is forming as you age, and there is simply no way to reverse the aging process. Radiesse does help to stimulate more natural collagen production in the skin. In one clinical trial, 68% of patients reported persistent improvement in the appearance of their hands 12 months after their treatment.

Do the injections hurt?
As with other filler injections, we apply a topical numbing prior to treatment to make the process as painless as possible. At most, you may feel a slight pinch at times, but the procedure is very well tolerated by our patients with little to no pain.

What are the possible side effects?
As with all filler injections, bruising and swelling may occur. The swelling in the hands typically lasts longer, but resolves within about 1-2 weeks. Redness, tenderness, and itching may also occur. If you suffer from arthritis, the swelling of the injections may temporarily cause more joint pain and stiffness.

How does Radiesse for hands differ from Radiesse for the face?
The product for the hands is the same exact product that we have been using for many years for facial restoration. Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite, a compound naturally found in bones and teeth. When placed in the skin, it stimulates collagen production to help thicken the skin.

What should I do before and after the procedure?
One week before the injections, it is best to avoid any unnecessary aspirin and ibuprofen as well as alcohol, vitamin E, and fish oil. This will help to minimize potential bleeding and bruising. After the treatment, it is important to avoid wearing jewelry (rings or tight watches/bracelets) until the swelling resolves. We recommend that you leave your jewelry at home on the day of treatment, since you will have to remove all rings before the injections. We would hate for you to lose any precious jewelry in the process. For the first 24 hours after treatment, you should apply ice packs off and on, avoid strenuous exercise, and keep your hands elevated as much as possible. This will help to minimize the swelling. After the swelling has resolved, you can change to warm compresses to help speed up the healing of any bruises. You can also cover up any bruising with concealer, if needed.

What about the brown spots on my hands?
Alexandrite laser can treat the individual spots and the sun damage. This treatment is best avoided in the hot summer months, since even mild sun exposure can cause the spots to return.

What else can I do for my hands?
We recommend daily treatment with Retin-A or retinol at night and antioxidants each morning along with sunscreen. Consistent maintenance helps to improve the crepey skin that worsens with age.