As we age, the natural fat cushions in our hands decrease, resulting in more prominent veins and bones. When we frequently expose our hands to the UV lamp during gel manicures, this accelerates the aging process.
1. Develop a routine early
Rather than wait until you’re in your 40s or 50s, start taking care of your hands now. Just as you have a routine for your face, develop a routine for your hands.
2. Protect your hands
As much as possible, try to use gentle, natural soaps when washing your hands. Use gloves when washing dishes, gardening, or cleaning. Keep several moisturisers around – one in your car, your handbag, by the sink, at work, and on your bedside table. At night, apply a thick layer of moisturiser and wear cotton gloves when you go to bed.
3. Sunscreen
Just like your face, your hands need sunscreen whenever you go out or when you’re driving. If you prefer not to use sunscreen, you could wear a pair of gloves when driving. Always apply sunscreen when getting a gel manicure.
4. Hand cream tips
Creams help to restore softness giving your hands a more youthful appearance. When choosing hand cream, look for ingredients such as glycerin, which absorbs and retains moisture; or Shea butter, lanolin, and hyaluronic acid. These products will form a protective barrier that prevents moisture from evaporating.
5. Exfoliate
Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin skin cells thereby reducing the dull appearance of your hands. Be gentle as the skin in your hands is quite thin. You can make your own scrub or use the one that you would use on your face. For a DIY scrub, mix brown sugar with olive oil, or coffee ground with coconut oil. The ratio should be 2:1 for the sugar/coffee and oil. Use the scrub weekly to get rid of dull skin.
