Wrinkles and wrinkled hands: what are the solutions?

The hands are particularly exposed to external stressors and are among the first areas to reveal the signs of skin aging. Unlike other parts of the body, the skin on the hands is thin and relatively poor in sebaceous glands, which makes it more vulnerable to dehydration. Over time, the skin’s ability to retain water in the stratum corneum decreases. It is therefore common to see the appearance of wrinkled hands, sometimes described as crêpey hands. This situation can be worsened by frequent washing, exposure to cold, or the use of harsh products, which gradually damage the skin barrier.

Beyond dehydration, hand aging is also explained by deeper structural changes. The production of collagen and elastin decreases with age, which leads to a loss of firmness and elasticity. At the same time, the subcutaneous fat tissue becomes thinner, making veins and tendons more visible. In addition, wrinkles on the hands become more pronounced, and the skin may appear thinner, looser, sometimes with the appearance of dry, wrinkled hands. Finally, chronic exposure to UV rays plays a major role in this process. Sun exposure promotes the breakdown of the dermal extracellular matrix and speeds up the appearance of wrinkles and pigmented spots. This process, known as photoaging, contributes significantly to the appearance of wrinkled hands.

Cosmetic treatments can help improve the appearance of wrinkled hands, reduce visible signs of skin laxity, and fade certain pigment spots. However, they are not intended to radically transform the skin: their role is to act gradually, supporting the skin’s natural mechanisms and limiting aggravating factors. A well-adapted routine can nevertheless make a real difference for crepey hands by improving their texture, hydration, and the evenness of their pigmentation.

Hand creams are the cornerstone of this approach. They generally combine several types of complementary active ingredients: humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which draw water into the stratum corneum; emollients, such as ceramides, which restore the lipid organization and soften the skin; as well as film‑forming agents, which reduce water loss. Certain targeted actives can be included to act more specifically on hand wrinkles, such as retinoids , which stimulate cell turnover and collagen synthesis; vitamin C, which has an antioxidant effect and helps even out skin tone; and agents like arbutin or licorice extract, which can help even out the skin.

Exfoliation is another useful lever for smoothing the skin and improving its texture. Exfoliating acids, particularly AHAs such as glycolic acid or lactic acid, promote cell turnover by removing dead cells that have accumulated on the skin’s surface. This process refines the skin’s texture and visibly smooths wrinkles. In addition, the daily use of sunscreen on the hands remains essential: since UV rays are one of the main drivers of skin aging, limiting their impact helps prevent the appearance and worsening of wrinkles and dark spots.

A clinical study has also evaluated the effectiveness of a cream specifically formulated for hands showing signs of photoaging. Twenty‑nine participants with hands marked by spots, texture irregularities, and wrinkles applied this treatment for four months. The formula contained, in particular, retinoids, arbutin, azelaic acid, licorice extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, a stabilized derivative of vitamin C, glycerin, and plant oils. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in all assessed parameters — texture, wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity — from the first month of use, with no reported adverse effects, as confirmed both by dermatologists and by the participants.

Although this study remains limited in size, it illustrates the potential of well-formulated cosmetic treatments to visibly improve the appearance of the hands.

When wrinkled hands show pronounced signs, such as volume loss, skin laxity, or visible pigment spots, cosmetic skincare may reach its limits. In these cases, certain aesthetic medicine techniques can be considered to more significantly improve their appearance. These approaches aim to restore volume, stimulate collagen production, and enhance the skin’s texture and pigmentation.

• Hyaluronic acid injections.

  Hyaluronic acid injections are one of the most widely used techniques for treating aging hands. They involve injecting a hydrating, volumizing gel into the back of the hands to compensate for the loss of subcutaneous tissue. This procedure helps to restore volume, smooth hand wrinkles, and make veins and tendons less visible. A study conducted on 20 patients showed a significant increase in tissue thickness for up to 6 months after injection. Skin roughness also decreased markedly, and skin hydration increased. Patients reported smoother, more supple, and younger-looking skin after just one session. The main advantage of this technique is its immediate and natural-looking effect, but it remains temporary (typically 6 to 12 months) and requires maintenance.

• The laser.

  Laser treatments primarily target the signs of photoaging, particularly pigment spots and textural irregularities. Depending on the type of laser used, the light energy can stimulate collagen production or fragment the pigments responsible for the spots. A study conducted on 21 patients treated with a 675 nm laser showed encouraging results: after two to three sessions, 71% of participants demonstrated an improvement rated as excellent and 29% showed good improvement in the texture and pigmentation of the hands. No adverse effects were reported. Laser therapy therefore offers an interesting option for improving the appearance of the hands, but requires multiple sessions and may cause temporary sensitivity.

• Chemical peeling.

  Chemical peels involve applying acids, such as AHAs or trichloroacetic acid (TCA), at high concentrations in order to induce a controlled exfoliation of the skin. This process stimulates cell turnover, improves skin texture, and reduces pigmentation spots. Peels are particularly suitable for smoothing the surface of wrinkled hands and restoring radiance. Their intensity can be adjusted according to individual needs, but they may cause temporary peeling and require strict sun protection after the treatment.

• Radiofrequency.

  Radiofrequency uses electromagnetic waves to heat the deeper layers of the skin, which stimulates collagen production and improves skin firmness. This technique is particularly useful in cases of skin laxity on the hands. It is non-invasive, generally well tolerated, and does not require any social downtime. However, the results are gradual and often require several sessions before becoming visible.

• Lipofilling, or injection of autologous fat.

  Lipofilling consists of harvesting fat from another area of the body (abdomen, thighs), then reinjecting it into the hands to restore lost volume. This technique provides a natural result and potentially longer-lasting effects than hyaluronic acid injections. It improves both volume and skin quality thanks to the cells contained in adipose tissue. However, it is a more invasive procedure, requiring a more extensive medical intervention and a recovery period.

The choice among these different techniques will depend on the stage of hand aging and should be discussed with a professional in order to tailor the treatment to individual needs.

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