We spend a lot of time scrutinizing the appearance of our faces. We seek treatments and procedures to effectively reverse the signs of aging we see in the mirror and in photos. There’s another part of our bodies that is just as exposed to elements and, if left untreated, can betray our age just as quickly as the lines and wrinkles on our face—our hands. Call Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA to experience the best in hand rejuvenation.

What Causes Hands to Age?

Most of us rarely give thought to the visible signs of aging on our hands. Besides our faces, our hands are most exposed to the elements, and we often aren’t as diligent about sun protection on our hands. We wash our hands so often that any residual sunscreen or leftover facial products that might protect them is gone within an hour.

Discoloration

We spend a lot of time making sure our face and neck are protected from the sun. Many of our daytime lotions and even makeup foundations contain sunscreen. We don’t pay the same attention to our hands. Every time we go outside, drive in our cars or sit in a sunny office, we expose our hands to the sun’s harmful rays.

Over time, the sun will cause pigment changes in our hands. These changes will appear as dark spots over the surface of our skin. This is one of the biggest age giveaways there is.

Lost Volume

If you look at young, healthy hands, you can barely make out veins, bones or tendons. The soft tissue is plump and hydrated, skin is smooth and wrinkles around knuckles are minimal. This healthy look is because we have ample supplies of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid to keep the overall appearance of our hands young. As we age, our supply of all three diminishes.

Collagen

Collagen is the most prominent protein in the human body. It’s thought of as the building block of our skin, and you probably associate it with what keeps our faces looking smooth and young. The same is true of the skin everywhere else on our bodies. Collagen forms a strong middle layer of our skin, keeping it thick and the underlying layer of fat in place.

As collagen declines, our skin can appear thinner, allowing the color of our veins to show through the surface. The foundation of our skin becomes disrupted, which allows our surface skin to fall into those crevices and dips that form in the middle layers of our dermis. The collagen that was holding our fat layers in place deteriorates, causing atrophy of the padding that keeps our hands looking young.

Elastin

Another protein found in our skin, elastin works in tandem with collagen to keep our hands looking smooth. Elastin gets its name from how elastic it allows our skin to be. When a young person pinches skin on their hands and lets go, there is immediately zero evidence the skin was ever disrupted. Do the same test on someone in their 50s and you can see how the skin may remain bunched or wrinkled after release.

When elastin production slows, it makes it easier for our skin to fall into areas of lost volume because it doesn’t have the strength to fight gravity any longer. The areas around our knuckles don’t smooth out after our hands are flexed, and lines form at our wrists, all adding to an aged appearance.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally produced sugar that can hold 1000 times its weight in water. Its molecules lie in the middle layers of our skin, attracting and holding water, giving hands a plump and hydrated look and feel. Even when a teenager’s hands feel dry to them, they don’t appear as dry as an older person’s hands. This is because they have plenty of hyaluronic acid that’s hanging on to moisture under the surface of their skin.

As our levels of hyaluronic acid deplete, we don’t have the plumpness of hydration to keep our hands looking full, dewy and hydrated. When aging hands dry, they look more wrinkled than ever and take more effort to rehydrate.

Visible Signs of Aging

The passing of time will change our hands. What once looked young, smooth, plump and dewy can look dull, gaunt and dry. The most common signs of aging on our hands are:

• Visible ligaments both at rest and during movement
• Prominent appearance of bones
• Visible veins
• Increase in bottom knuckle wrinkles
• Wrinkles forming at the base of the hands near the wrists
• Lost skin elasticity on the back of the hands
• Dark spot from sun damage
• Discoloration and hyperpigmentation

Age is the inevitable cause of our hands’ deteriorating appearance. There are other factors that play a role in how quickly and dramatically this part of our body can show the years. Most of these factors are the same as those that age the skin on our faces because they speed the decline of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. These factors include:

• Sun exposure
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Not enough water intake
• Constant hand washing without moisturizer
• Repeated use of hand sanitizer
• Diets high in sugar and processed foods
• Prolonged unmanaged stress

What Is Hand Rejuvenation?

Hand rejuvenation is a multi-faceted treatment to address the multiple signs of aging on the hands. This comprehensive treatment will address lost volume and discoloration while including a plan to reduce further aging.

Replacing Lost Volume

The first step in hand rejuvenation is to address the lost volume that causes the veins, bones and ligaments to be so visible. A dermal filler called Radiesse is injected into the pockets where a layer of fat used to keep our hands looking full. A skilled doctor or practitioner will make precise injections to increase volume while producing a natural-looking result.

What Is Radiesse?

Radiesse is a dermal filler made of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres. The filler is similar to the calcium found in your teeth and bones but suspended in a gel. When injected, it immediately fills the areas of lost volume. Right after injection, the body absorbs the gel, leaving behind the microspheres that act as a scaffold to support the weakened structure of your hands’ skin and promote higher production of collagen.

As your body creates more collagen, results improve and remain beyond the life of the filler. When collagen increases, so do elastin and hyaluronic acid. Your hands will become smoother and more supple.

Addressing Discoloration

Lost volume isn’t the only sign of aging that appears on our hands. Hand rejuvenation includes tackling the dark spots that form on our skin as we get older. One of the most effective and comfortable treatments for reducing the appearance of these spots is cryotherapy or the use of liquid nitrogen. This process uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the age spots and destroy the extra pigment that causes them.

When the area heals, that area of the skin will appear lighter. This can effectively and comfortably be used on a single spot or a grouping of spots. Other effective treatments for addressing pigmentation issues:

• Bleaching creams
• Intense pulsed light treatments
• Chemical peels
• Combination of modalities

Prevention

The final step in treatment is preventative. The best hand rejuvenation treatments will involve a take home cream to continue helping the skin look younger and prevent the early reappearance of certain symptoms like discoloration. A medical-grade cream like Obagi Sunfader is a topical treatment that contains hydroquinone to further lighten dark spots. Once you’ve had your initial lightening treatment, this cream will continue to even out discolorations.

Sunfader also contains sunscreen, which is the single best favor you can do the skin on your hands going forward. Remember, the sun breaks down collagen quickly and can darken the pigment in spots on your skin. It’s recommended you carry a travel-sized tube of sunscreen with you so you can reapply during the day and avoid further sun damage.

What to Expect

When you and your doctor or specialist have decided this treatment will address your concerns, you won’t have to do anything to prepare for treatment. You may be asked to stop taking any blood-thinning medications for a few weeks before to reduce the small likelihood of bruising. These medications can be prescription or over the counter and include herbal supplements.

The Day of Your Appointment

When you arrive, a topical numbing cream will be applied to the area that will be treated with Radiesse and cryotherapy to ensure you remain comfortable throughout your appointment. Your doctor will decide which treatment to do first. To address the lost volume, once your skin is numb, your doctor will make small, strategic injections to allow the smooth gel to fill the areas of lost volume.

To address dark spots, your doctor will use a cotton-tipped swab to apply the liquid nitrogen. As the nitrogen works, it destroys the extra pigment which will eventually flake off revealing brighter, more evenly toned skin.

Aftercare

The biggest aftercare instruction you’ll be given is to always protect your hands from the sun. Depending on the treatment you’ve had to reduce the appearance of spots on your hands, your skin will be more sensitive to the sun.

Your doctor will give you instructions for using the take-home treatment cream to maximize your results. It will contain sunscreen, but you must apply your own sunscreen to make sure coverage is continuous.

Results

Most of the results are immediate. You will walk in with hands that are showing ligaments, bones, and veins and walk out with restored, fuller volume. This will take years off the age of your hands immediately. The best part about Radiesse is how long the results last. Most clients will see results for up to two years. Your doctor will give you guidance on how often to schedule maintenance appointments.

The cryotherapy will take a few days to a few weeks to fully work because your skin needs time to heal before results are optimal. As you continue to use your take-home cream, your tone will continue to even out and improve. If you find that spots come back, a follow-up treatment is easy and will make your results seem continuous.

Call for a Consultation

The first step to younger-looking hands is to schedule a consultation with an expert in providing real results. Looking your best helps you to feel your best while boosting your self-confidence.

Contact Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA and talk to one of our specialists about how this treatment can revitalize the appearance of your hands so they don’t look older than you feel. You work hard to maintain your appearance, so we believe in working just as hard to help you reach your aesthetic goals. We look forward to helping you on your journey to a happier and healthier you!

Seeing your reflection in the mirror should be a positive experience, even as you age. Signs of aging can not only take their toll on our skin but also on our self-esteem and confidence levels. If you’re unhappy or discontented with parts of your appearance, you don’t have to just deal with it. Call Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA and discuss how you can take control of your appearance with Juvederm.

What Is Juvederm?

Juvederm is a line of injectables known as dermal fillers. Considered the gold standard of dermal fillers, Juvederm’s collection is FDA approved to increase volume to targeted areas. This collection of dermal fillers is made of a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring sugar in our skin that ensures it stays supported and moisturized.

To address most clients’ concerns, most high-end dermatology offices offer two types of this family of products: Ultra and Ultra Plus. While both are designed to spread into facial tissue more easily than other fillers, each one carries specific attributes and brings with it its own set of benefits. Together, these fillers can address:

• Nasolabial folds—parentheses around the mouth
• Vertical lip lines
• Thinning lips
• Chin wrinkles
• Hollow temples, cheeks, and cheekbones
• Down-turned corners of the mouth
• Hand rejuvenation
• Marionette lines—corners of the mouth down the chin

Juvederm Ultra

This filler is the perfect start for clients who are just beginning to be bothered by mild-to-moderate lines on their faces. The particles of this dermal filler are smaller than those of Ultra Plus, so as they spread out to the surrounding tissue, the ultra-soft results are perfect for less severe lines and folds.

The results are natural-looking and rejuvenating. The hyaluronic acid naturally attracts moisture so your skin will look supple and hydrated. For those clients who want to tackle mild and moderate lines and wrinkles before they become severe, this can be a perfect choice. You will walk out of the office with smooth, subtle results.

Juvederm Ultra Plus

This filler uses larger particles, so it has more lifting power than its smaller particle counterpart. This is the dermal filler often used in “liquid facelifts” and can address moderate and severe facial lines and folds along with larger areas of lost volume on the face.

When collagen and elastin break down, our face can form hollows, particularly around the cheek, cheekbone and temporal areas. This filler can lift those areas and restore a more youthful structure to the face. When strategically placed throughout the face, it can restore symmetry and youthful volume and provide a natural, younger-looking appearance.

Why Do I Need Juvederm?

As we get older, our production of hyaluronic acid naturally declines along with our production of the proteins collagen and elastin. Collagen is the protein responsible for the solid structure of our skin and the tissue below it, and, along with hyaluronic acid, it ensures there are no voids for our skin to fall into. Elastin makes sure our skin keeps its elasticity so it bounces back to place even after being stretched out.

As collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid decline, our faces start to show the effects of dwindling production. Years spent in the sun or smoking will only expedite the loss of these three powerhouses. When the structure of our faces weakens, small voids are created and our less elastic skin falls to fill in those voids, creating wrinkles. Sometimes the structural breakdown is larger and can create hollows near bony areas of our mid-face, causing a gaunt and aged appearance.

Address Wrinkles

Juvederm temporarily rebuilds structure so those voids are filled and skin is again plumped and showing fewer signs of aging. Results from this collection of fillers always look soft and natural; never lumpy, hard or jarring.

Lip Enhancement

One of the biggest telltale signs of age is thinning lips with vertical lines surrounding them. When these lines form, wearing lipstick and gloss can become a frustrating endeavor because the makeup bleeds into the surrounding skin and we’re unable to attain that polished look we’re looking for and used to.

Whether your lips have thinned because of lost volume or you just genetically have thinner lips than you’d like, these fillers can give you the pout you’ve always wanted. Adding natural volume to your lips while smoothing out those vertical lines can instantly take years off your face.

Most of the plump and luscious lips we see on models and celebrities are all thanks to fillers like these. You don’t have to walk out with an unrecognizable set of lips: just a beautifully enhanced version of your own that will hold makeup and turn heads.

A Better Smile

Another sign of aging is how gravity pulls at the corner of our mouths. Without realizing it, our faces can express sadness, irritation, tiredness or anger without our feeling any of these things. Strategically placed, these fillers can reverse the downturn with a slight upturn leading to a happier, more inviting appearance.

What to Expect

Besides the immediate and beautiful results, fillers are popular because they are non-surgical, minimally invasive and require little preparation and no downtime. Once you and your provider have decided on the perfect course of treatment for your specific needs and desired results, they may give you just a few preparation instructions. You may be asked to pause taking blood-thinning supplements like fish oil and vitamin E and over-the-counter medications like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen just to reduce the already small likelihood of bruising.

During your session, your provider may apply a topical numbing cream to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. A series of targeted injections will be gently made into your areas of concern. Your provider will be able to see the progress as she goes, as will you, so you can monitor the way your results are shaping up and make adjustments as you go along.

After your treatment, you can go right back to your normal routine. Many clients find this treatment so easy and effortless that they make appointments during a break from work and head right back to the office immediately after. If there are any special aftercare instructions, be sure to follow them to maximize your results.

Results

One of the most positive attributes of these popular dermal fillers is the immediacy of the results they offer. You’ll walk into the office with signs of aging that are causing you concern and walk out with soft, natural and remarkable results. A more youthful structure will be restored, and with it a renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem.

Results can last between six and twelve months depending on the filler chosen and the area of treatment. If clients follow their provider’s recommended schedule for follow-up and maintenance sessions, results can be seamless and consistent.

Once you’ve addressed certain signs of aging by choosing fillers, your provider may recommend other treatments to round out your results. If you have other areas of concern, discuss them with your specialist. There’s a treatment for any skin concern you may have.

Other Anti-Aging Treatments

Juvederm is just one of many injectables that offer stunning results. Just have an open conversation with your skincare specialist about the issues you’re facing, and they’ll have solutions. They can combine your dermal fillers with other treatments which will enhance the results of both.

Your provider, during a consultation, will examine your areas of concern and partner with you to develop a tailor-made treatment plan to get you the realistic results you are looking for.

BOTOX

BOTOX is made from a natural, purified protein that acts as a neuromodulator. When injected into specific muscles, it will prevent the nerve’s signal from reaching the muscle. This works to smooth wrinkles because the muscles that are targeted are the ones we use continuously to make repetitive expressions. Over time, these expressions lead to the formation of wrinkles that only deepen as our faces age and our expressions continue.

BOTOX allows the muscles to relax. Relaxed muscles give the wrinkles time to smooth out and diminish.

Why Consider It

BOTOX is the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world because it’s easy, effective and helps to bring a positive aesthetic back to the face. One of the most prominent wrinkles we develop over time are our frown lines. These can make us look unhappy or even angry when we’re not.

The results appear in three to seven days and last up to four months. With consistent maintenance treatments, results can be continuous. The longer the skin is given a chance to smooth, the better your long-term results will be. A skilled hand can also ensure you never have the “frozen” look of not being able to make expressions. Your results can be natural and youthful, causing other people to wonder how you’ve stayed so young.

Chemical Peels

Lines and wrinkles aren’t the only concerns we have as we get older. Sometimes an overall dulling complexion and spots from sun damage and age come over time. And people of any age can experience acne, acne scarring and uneven tone and texture. Chemical peels are such a versatile solution for so many people and concerns because they are highly customizable.

Whether you’re tackling fine lines and wrinkles or discoloration and scars, chemical peels can be formulated mildly to tackle superficial issues like a layer of dulling, dead skin cells or to target deeper layers of the skin. When stronger peels are applied to dissolve deeper layers of the skin, collagen production is kick-started as your body regenerates new, healthy cells to replace the ones just exfoliated.

Results

Results like a brighter, softer complexion will be immediate. Other results, like filling in of facial scars, fine lines, and lightening dark spots, will come over the next few weeks as collagen replaces those damaged cells with new ones. Some clients may see the results they want after just one, stand-alone treatment, while others may choose a series of sessions to attain more dramatic results. Talk to your skin specialist about chemical peels as a solution for:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Spots from sun damage and age
• Hyperpigmentation
• Acne and acne scarring
• Uneven skin tone and texture
• Minor skin laxity
• Overall dull skin tone
• Large or clogged pores

Schedule a Life-Changing Consultation

The first step down the road of a more youthful-looking, rejuvenated and self-assured you can be a phone call away. What time takes away, you can get back.

When you’re ready to take back your appearance, contact Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA. We understand choices about your physical appearance are some of the most important you’ll make. A partnership that will produce an enhanced and more vibrant you is just one consultation away.

If you are self-conscious about the spider veins on your legs, especially when wearing swimsuits or shorts, you should consider a treatment that eliminates the unsightly veins. At Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA, we understand how important is to feel good about your legs and their appearance. With our Sclerotherapy vein treatments, we can help you get rid of pesky spider veins.

Vein Treatment

Vein treatments have been around for a long time. Both women and men have always sought ways to improve the appearance of spider veins. Although spider veins are not harmful to your health, they cause people to be self-conscious when wearing clothing that expose their legs.

Treating spider veins so that they don’t come back is the best way to get rid of the unsightly veins. Once a vein is treated, that vein will not reappear, thought it is possible that other, new veins may appear.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider Veins, sometimes referred to as varicose veins, are small, dilated blood vessels that are not needed for circulation. Since the body does not need them, they are fine to treat. They usually appear on our legs as red or blue and can be web-like or in small lines. Sometimes they may traverse your leg or appear on one leg and not the other.

These unwanted veins form when blood pools in the vein and can’t move forwards or backwards, causing pressure. The pressure causes the vein to bulge, making it visible under the skin.

While this may sound strange, it’s usually harmless. The blood in our vessels sometimes pools because there is a malfunction in a valve. Valves usually send blood toward the heart where it will be re-oxygenated, but when the valve malfunctions, the blood may begin to pool.

Where Do They Appear Most Commonly?

Spider veins usually appear on our legs more than anywhere else on our bodies. Women typically suffer from them more than men. While they can appear on our ankles and sometimes our faces, they are much more common on legs.

What Causes Spider Veins?

Genetics and family history play a large role in spider veins, which unfortunately means many of us can’t escape them. Other things, like standing for a long period of time or sitting for long periods, can bring them on as well. When we stand for a long time, things like gravity and pressure make it harder for our veins to pump blood.

Age is another factor that plays a part in spider veins. As we age, our muscles tend to weaken and veins are more likely to appear. This is because with weaker muscles comes greater difficulty pumping blood back to our hearts.

Hormones and pregnancy can also bring about extra spider veins. Pregnant women are at a greater risk for getting spider veins than other women.

What Are the Symptoms of Spider Veins?

Usually there are no other symptoms other than the visible spider veins. They are aesthetically unappealing but usually don’t cause pain or discomfort. The only real issue is feeling subconscious about them.

If you are concerned about a spider vein, we can answer any questions you may have.

What Is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a safe and effective solution into the spider veins with a very small, thin needle. The solution inflames the lining of the spider veins and the vein becomes shut off. The body responds by reabsorbing the spider veins. This painless process usually takes around 4-6 weeks.

You won’t notice immediate results after your treatment, so don’t worry if the veins appear to be the same. Give them a few weeks and then you should start to notice a difference. And once the vein is gone, you don’t have to worry about it coming back.

Can Lasers Be Used on Veins?

Lasers have been used to treat spider veins in the past, but this treatment is not successful in removing spider veins on our legs. Lasers have proven to work on spider veins present on the face, but if you want to get rid of them on your legs, we have found that sclerotherapy is much more effective and has better results. It is considered the go-to treatment for spider veins on legs.

If you do have spider veins present on your face, an educated staff member can discuss the best options with you and help you determine if sclerotherapy is the right treatment for you.

Benefits of Sclerotherapy

No Downtime

One of the best benefits to our vein treatments is that there is no downtime after your treatment. You are encouraged to walk after the treatment is done because this helps in healing. You will be fine to leave the office and drive yourself home after your appointment.

Support Stockings

Another benefit to these treatments is that you only have to wear the support stockings for perhaps a week following the treatments. It is recommended that you wear them day and night for a few days, but after that you only have to wear them during the day. Our educated staff will walk you through when the support stockings are needed.

Veins Will Not Return

Once a vein has been treated with Sclerotherapy and it disappears, that vein will not return. Your body has taken care of it by reabsorbing it. This is great if you have spider veins that are particularly giving you trouble and are visible in shorts or swimsuits. Once that vein is reabsorbed, it won’t come back.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Many people love these treatments as an option to get rid of unsightly veins because it is nonsurgical. It can be done right in our office. There is no need for invasive treatments or long recovery times. It’s a fast, easy treatment that can be performed in 30 minutes in our office.

How Many Sclerotherapy Sessions Do You Need?

Each client is different and will respond differently to treatments. It also depends on how many veins will be treated. Because new veins will appear on our legs in the future if we are genetically predisposed to spider veins, most people will want to continue treatments over a period of time to ensure any future veins are treated as well.

The number of initial sessions needed depends on many factors. You may decide you want all of your current veins treated or perhaps just the ones that are most seen in shorts or swimwear. These decisions can be made during your initial consultation with our office.

How Long Are the Sessions?

Depending on the number of veins you would like treated, appointments usually last around 30 minutes. You will want to space your treatments out at least six weeks so that your body has time to heal and reabsorb the spider veins that have been treated.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Treatments?

Healthy individuals, especially adult women in early to late middle age, who have unsightly veins on their legs can benefit from this treatment. Since it is a nonsurgical treatment, it is easy to perform. You can return home afterward and there is no downtime.

If you have any of the following, you will benefit from treatments:

• Veins that traverse the leg
• Spider veins on one leg and not the other
• Spider veins on both legs
• Red or blue veins
• Web-like veins
• Single veins that run along your calf
• Spider veins on your ankles

What About Pregnant Women?

If you are pregnant or if you have just given birth, you should wait till a later time to have any treatments performed. During your consultation, our staff will make sure you are a good fit for this treatment.

What to Consider Before Treatment?

The treatments, while they are short at the office, require at least six weeks before you see the vein fully fade away. Because of this, if you are planning to have veins treated in time for summer or vacation, you should plan accordingly. There is never a bad time to have the treatments done, but if you want them in time for summer, you should plan out enough time so that you can have a few sessions performed well in advance.

It’s always important to live a healthy lifestyle before and after any treatments. It’s recommended that you drink plenty of water before and after to give your body the best chance to heal and for the best results to appear. You should be able to move around before and after treatments, so this isn’t the best option if you are bedridden.

Our staff will discuss with your whether you are on any blood thinners or other medicines. It will be important to discuss your medical history with us during your consultation.

What to Consider After Treatment?

Showering

It is recommended that you take cool showers following your treatment and recuperate in a cool, dry place. This will aid in healing and ensure you get the best results possible. Our staff will go over with you when it’s appropriate to take hot showers and baths again.

Compression Socks

Remember that you will most likely need to wear compression socks for perhaps a week after the treatment.

Can You Exercise After Treatments?

It is recommended that you avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a short amount of time after your treatments; however, walking is encouraged. Your doctor will want you to get up and move around.

Are There Other Services Available?

Many people find that sclerotherapy is just one piece of the puzzle in achieving the best results for your appearance. There are other services available to those looking to add to their rejuvenation goals. We offer many treatments and facial options to help with anti-aging, and brighter, more youthful skin. We also offer hair removal treatments and many other cosmetic procedures.

Next Steps

If you have unsightly veins spider veins that are bothersome to you or make you feel subconscious, you should consider sclerotherapy vein treatments. When you make your initial consultation, we will discuss your concerns, inspect your spider veins, and go over any questions you may have.

During your consultation, we will go over a treatment plan that makes sense for you and that will fit your needs and timing. This will take into consideration your overall health, medical history, and plans for the future.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Don’t let another day go by where you aren’t comfortable in shorts or swimsuits. Get rid of those pesky veins for good. Call Nunnally Dermatology in Baton Rouge, LA, today to schedule your initial consultation. We deliver sclerotherapy vein treatments that will improve your appearance and overall confidence and give you the look you want for your legs.