Revitalizing Hands: A Comprehensive Review of Anatomy and Treatment Options for Hand Rejuvenation

Abstract

Dorsal hand rejuvenation is gaining popularity as a solitary procedure and adjunct to face and neck rejuvenation treatments. As the hands age, the skin loses elasticity and becomes more translucent, the veins, joints, and tendons appear more prominent, and the bones become more noticeable. These changes are due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Current treatment methods include the injection of dermal fillers and autologous fat grafting. Anatomic studies to ensure the successful implementation of rejuvenation procedures identified three separate fascial layers in the dorsum, from superficial to deep. More recent re-evaluations revealed a less distinct, inseparable, sponge-like fascial layer. All authors agree that the superficial dermal layer is probably the optimal location for the injection of volumizing materials because it is free of anatomical structures. Many methods for harvesting, preparing, and injecting fat grafts to the dorsum of the hand have been described in the past three decades. Both filler and fat-graft procedures are performed on an ambulatory basis under local anesthesia. Good results with low postoperative and long-term complication rates and high patient satisfaction have been reported.

Keywords: aesthetic medicine; dermal fillers; fat grafting; hand aging; hand anatomy; hand rejuvenation; injectables; skin aging.

Figure 1. Suggested Algorithm for Hand Rejuvenation

HA – hyaluronic acid; CaHA – calcium hydroxyapatite