*Disclaimer: The treatment was gifted by Dr Riekie Medical Aesthetic Centre, though, the review therein is based on the author’s experience and opinion. Aesthetic Appointment reviews are intended to be for information purposes only, nor should they be regarded as a replacement for sound medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or skincare therapist if you have any concerns*

As we age, we notice that the skin on our hands becomes thinner and drier due to our aforementioned friend, Collagen, leaving us in the lurch. Signs of sun exposure – age spots, sun spots, wrinkles show up for a party and the volume loss (thanks for leaving, Collagen) makes the veins very visible, as well as tendons, making them look not as we’d like them to.

So here’s what to do: firstly, tell your children – especially daughters embarking on manicures for the first time – that sunscreen is their best friend. Then apply a lot to your hands daily. There are some fabulous sunscreens on the market that can fade sunspots and prevent further damage. (Try Isdin Foto Ultra 100 Active Unify fusion fluid SPF 50+ (50ml)).

If your budget is fairly healthy, you may want to try some of the interventions offered in the medical aesthetics industry.

1 hands review copy

Looking at another option, I took myself and my hands off to Dr Riekie Smit in Pretoria who offered to zap my hands with the nifty Fraxel Dual 1550/1927 laser.

I did one treatment in order to experience what it feels like, but in order to get some results, you need to do at least three treatments.

It is not the most pleasant feeling treatment, rather like a series of little stings, but unless your pain threshold is non-existent, you should be able to cope.

The Fraxel treatment is backed by huge scientific research and it improves skin tone and texture, reduces lines and wrinkles erases brown spots, improves the appearance of acne scars and surgical scars, and is generally a wonderful treatment for the face, neck, chest, arms, and legs.

Fraxel on the hands has shown good results in targeting the age spots, but in terms of collagen induction, one would have to do multiple treatments, and perhaps that is not a viable option for some (it’s roughly R2000 per treatment).

The laser uses patented fractional technology to target the damaged skin – the microscopic laser columns penetrate deeply, but only on the targeted spot, leaving the surrounding tissue untouched. This promotes quick healing.

So initially, my hands looked sunburned and felt hot and red. It was a cool, rainy day, which helped the redness to abate quite quickly. I used a barrier cream at night and by the next day, they were fine and the skin felt tight (always good!) Over the course of the next week or two, the backs of my hands felt a bit rough – a rich hand cream remedied this. Eventually, the skin achieved a smooth, fresher look.

If you’re serious about rejuvenating your hands, Fraxel is one of a few treatment options you can choose from. As always, consult with your aesthetic doctor for the best treatment protocol for you and your needs.

To learn more about the Fraxel Dual 1550/1927 skin resurfacing, visit www.fraxel.com or contact Bausch & Lomb South Africa to find a Fraxel provider near you in South Africa (+27) 0827695816

I had my Fraxel treatment at Dr Riekie Smit in Pretoria www.drriekie.co.za | (+27) 012 567 1313 | info@drriekie.co.za

Paola Chellew

Paola Chellew is a freelance journalist and regularly writes for a number of publications. A former professional contemporary dancer, she has always loved the arts in all their forms. She has been a freelance writer for many years and has been published in various magazines including Live Out Loud, Private Life and Do It now magazines. Her passion for beauty and skincare started in her teens, when she would read every beauty editor’s picks and reviews. Serious about skincare, she has researched medical-grade products for over ten years, as well as aesthetic treatments to restore and repair skin to look its best. Having turned 60 last year, she has dedicated her blog to the “over 50s and beyond Club”, shining a spotlight on a generation that is seemingly side-lined by the beauty industry. “There is no age limit for when you stop being beautiful – a gorgeous lipstick, a sexy fragrance, radiant skin- these are not synonymous with youth- they are just things that add an extra sparkle to my day”.

📸 Profile photo credited to Lerissa Kemp Photography

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