What Are Hand Fillers, and How Long Will The Results Last?

As we age, the skin on our hands loses elasticity, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss. Even if this does not happen in other areas, the hands tend to be among the first places to show signs of aging. Making matters worse is that the hands are quite visible and not easy to conceal with clothing. 

However, procedures like hand fillers can reverse these effects (at least temporarily) and give you youthful-looking results. 

Dermal fillers have been a popular tool for cosmetic enhancement for quite some time. That's because they restore youth instantly to the skin, curb signs of aging, and have almost no downtime.

Although many dermal fillers are available, providers such as Radiesse are among the most popular. Their innovative formula is a product of new technology and research designed to enhance skin and fight aging hands.

What makes these fillers so different is their effectiveness for both the face and hands, adding volume to those areas that thinned out due to old age.

In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of hand fillers, the types of fillers available, and what to expect during and after the treatment.

How Do Hand Fillers Work?

Dermal fillers can decrease the visibility of various age-related changes in the hands, especially lost volume. As a person ages, they will naturally lose fullness in their hands. The skin also becomes thinner and less elastic, so as a result, the hand forms wrinkles, knuckles and joints start to protrude, and the veins and tendons beneath the skin begin to bulge.

Dermal fillers are injected to restore this lost volume, which gives your hands a plumper look. Knuckles no longer look knobby, skin becomes more smooth, and prominent veins and tendons on the back of the hands become less apparent.

Hand fillers are injectable dermal fillers that restore volume specifically to the hands, making them look plumper, smoother, and more youthful. The most common fillers used for hand rejuvenation are hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers, and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers.

Benefits of Hand Fillers:

Hand fillers offer a range of benefits, including:

• Reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

• Restored volume and plumpness

• Enhanced skin elasticity

• A more youthful appearance

Types of Hand Fillers:

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers:

HA fillers are made from a naturally occurring substance in the body, making them a safe and effective option for hand rejuvenation. These fillers are injected into the back of the hands, and the results can last up to 12 months.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Fillers:

CaHA fillers are another option for hand rejuvenation. These fillers contain calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance found in bones, and are injected into the back of the hands. The results of CaHA fillers can last up to 18 months.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers:

PLLA fillers are a third option for hand rejuvenation. These fillers stimulate the production of collagen, which can improve the appearance of the skin on the hands. The results of PLLA fillers can last up to two years.

Which Filler Is Best for Hands?

Just as there are multiple brands and formulas of facial fillers, there are also different formulations of hand fillers.

One dermal filler treatment with dramatic and long-lasting anti-aging effects for the hands is Juvederm – a type of hyaluronic acid that treats volume loss and signs of aging in the hands. 

Restylane is another type of hyaluronic acid that helps stimulate the body's natural collagen production, resulting in long-lasting results for as long as 18 months. However, Restylane's molecular structure is more granular, meaning skin texture and evenness may not be as smooth as Juvederm. 

Radiesse is another filler that can make your hands look plumper and more youthful. These fillers use small quantities of calcium hydroxylapatite, which forms a light gel that can be injected into the skin to give you a new volume. Calcium hydroxylapatite also can trigger collagen production in the body, which is responsible for your skin's firmness and healthy look.

An experienced provider can help you decide the best hand filler formula for your unique hand concerns and aesthetic goals.

Who is a Good Candidate for Hand Fillers?

Essentially anyone who has experienced volume loss in their hands is a candidate for hand fillers. Since these fillers contain biocompatible ingredients, they are safe for most people. For example, the hyaluronic acid used in Juvederm is a sugar molecule virtually identical to one produced naturally by our bodies.

While most people are suitable candidates for hand fillers, patients with bleeding problems or a history of herpes may not be appropriate for this treatment.

Before undergoing a filler procedure, you'll have to thoroughly discuss with a medical professional what medications you're using to see if some should be discontinued.

Blood thinners like aspirin and warfarin must be put on hold; you wouldn't want to cause bleeding due to the injections. You must also show your medical history, especially if you have had injuries, diseases, or disabilities related to the hands.

Individuals should avoid the treatment in these certain instances:

1. Allergies to any of the ingredients used in the filler

2. Bleeding disorders

3. Women that are breastfeeding or pregnant

4. Allergies to lidocaine or any other numbing medications.

It's crucial that you not undergo any hand rejuvenation treatment if you have an active skin infection. It can be dangerous because you're risking that the filler penetrates a blood vessel.

What to Expect During and After Hand Filler Treatment

The first step that your medical professional does is to determine the optimal area for injection, labeling them with a marker. An antiseptic is applied to clean the sites, and the hands may be numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. The filler will then be injected into the back of the hands using a thin needle. 

The procedure in itself should be at most 30 minutes, and you can return right away to your home.

After injecting the filler, the provider may gently massage the hands to ensure the filler is evenly distributed throughout the tissues. Patients can drive themselves back to their homes after the treatment, and while there may be some swelling, redness, or bruising, these side effects usually subside within a few days. Following your practitioner's post-treatment instructions is essential to ensure optimal results.

Is There Any Downtime After Hand Fillers?

Patients do not need time off their routines after hand filler injections. However, during the next day, you shouldn't exert yourself or sweat – so don't go on a job, bike, or exercise class for a day. Also, patients should avoid activities that expose their hands to intense or direct sunlight for the next day or two.

How Fast Are Hand Filler Results?

Results are immediate – so patients will notice an immediate improvement in the fullness of their hands. If Radiesse or Restylane formulas are used, the benefits may continue to improve over time, as the body produces natural collagen in the treated area.

How Long Do Hand Filler Results Last?

This longevity of results will depend on the hand filler formula used and certain lifestyle issues that affect your hand usage. Because the fillers are absorbed by the body and eradicated over time, people with fewer signs of wear and tear on their hands will generally see longer-lasting results.

However, the fullness in hands may typically last for 12 to 18 months after one gets hand filler injections. For longer-lasting results, follow-up sessions may be required. 

Better Ways To Rejuvenate Your Hands

Instead of relying on inorganic fillers that offer temporary results, opting for organic fillers is more recommended. The best organic filler that you can use is your own fat. 

The AirSculpt® Hand Rejuvenation Fat Transfer by Elite Body Sculpture is a minimally invasive process that doesn't use a scalpel, needle, stitches, or general anesthesia. 

Are hand fillers effective? Yes. But organic fat gives you more natural-looking hands, and the results are permanent if you maintain your overall weight. There is no need to return for follow-up appointments, results are more personalized, and patients enjoy the benefit of removing fat from a troublesome area while rejuvenating their hands. 

For more information on how we can help you, visit our Sacramento office or any of our 25+ body contouring locations to schedule your first consultation.