Hands that Give Away your Age

Sad but true, if you don't pay attention to the looks of your hands, people are apt to suspect that you may be...umm...somewhat long in tooth.

Your hands are another big giveaway of your real age! In fact, I've seen some young women out there with really old-looking hands! You don't have to be up there in years for your hands to look older than they should.

Now, the first thing that most people notice about you is your face. They notice your eyes, smile and great new haircut. But when you shake their hand, there it is!

Old-looking hands are pretty hard to hide. You can't inject them with Botox. You can't hide them behind make up. Hand creams may help but cannot plump them up for any real length of time.

But, there is an answer...

Characteristics

What makes hands look "old?"

Some of the telltale signs include -

• Skin appears to be "stretched" over muscles
• Thin or "crepey" skin
• Bulging veins
• Wrinkles
• Dry, cracked, dull-looking skin
• Spots (age spots, liver spots, freckles)
• Uneven tone or blotchiness

Other Factors

As the years go by, your skin begins to thin out and lose elasticity. Aging, specifically as it pertains to the hands, is escalated by factors other than the natural aging process.

Hands down (pun intended), one of the biggest factors that ages your skin no matter where it is...the sun. Sun damage truly escalates aging of the skin like almost nothing else. The powerful and very damaging UVA and UVB rays of the sun cause healthy cells - located far beneath the surface of the skin - to be damaged and even destroyed. Without protection from these damaging sun rays, you can pretty much count on your skin aging faster.

A good sunscreen is a must, even on cloudy days. The sun can bring out those ugly brown spots that will cover your hands and instantly age them.

The sun can also change the texture of your skin and give it the appearance of shriveled leather. Tanning might be good for hides, but not so much for your skin.

Another factor for old-looking hands...the elements. Exposure to pollution, extreme weather conditions and wind wreaks havoc on the hands.

Another biggie is the use of harsh detergents and cleaning agents. The harmful materials used in some cleansers, soaps and detergents can zap the moisture right out of the skin and leave you with a dry, scaly effect.

Dry skin is prone to wrinkles, so if you have extremely dry skin, know that wrinkles are sure to follow.

Also as we age, skin becomes thinner. That is why your hands may take on an almost "stretched" look, with a lot of muscles and veins protruding from the back of the hands. You'll notice the blue color of the veins because they are now closer to the surface of the thinner skin.

You may also notice the texture of your nails changing, as well. For women, during that really cool menopause phase, hormonal changes can affect your nails. If you are deficient in vitamins such as C and D, you may also notice your nails taking on a more brittle, yellow appearance.

Help for old-looking hands...

Love those Hands!

It is possible to reverse the effects of age and other factors for your hands.

It is possible to have younger-looking hands and love them again.

How, you say?

• Drink plenty of water to keep skin as plump and hydrated as possible
• Take your vitamins (especially C & D3)
• Keep hands protected from harsh things like weather and cleaning projects (wear gloves)
• Always use sunscreen

In addition, choose to perform hand exercises to restore a more youthful look to aging hands.

By working those muscles in your hands, you can get those younger-looking hands back! Think of it as a work-out for those hand muscles, which will get the blood circulating better, increase the number of healthy cells and take years off the appearance of your hands.

This exercise or massage technique is 100% safe, natural and feels great to boot!

Hand Exercises

Here are the 4-step instructions for the hand exercises that can take years off the appearance of your hands.

These exercises are yet another great anti-aging solution brought to you by Carolyn's Facial Fitness.

You may be familiar with facial firming and toning exercises, but remember, your hands can give away your age every bit as easily as your neck and face.

Go through these exercises - or massage moves - twice a day for just four weeks, and you will have remarkably younger-looking hands!

[ part I ]

Rest left hand on abdomen Use fingers from your right hand and -

Start at the knuckles (right above index finger on left hand) Slide fingers down from the knuckles to over the top of the hand (ending just past the wrist) Press gently yet firmly

Move on to the middle finger and slide fingers down from the knuckles over the top of the hand ending at the wrist

Next repeat the process on the ring and baby fingers

This completes one round; repeat entire process at least 3 more times

Next step is to grab each finger on your left hand at the point where the finger meets the hand with your thumb and first 2 fingers of the right hand

Massage the entire finger of the left hand from the point where it meets at the hand all the way down to the fingertip

When you get to each fingertip, also massage the sides of the fingernail and nail itself

Continue to repeat this procedure with all fingers, including the thumb

[ part I ]

Now turning the left hand over, grab your left hand so the right thumb rests on the wrist at the heel of the left hand and below the little finger

Pretend the fingers and thumb of your right hand have become a "pincher," so the thumb is on the inside heel of the left hand; and the right fingers are on the outside (or back) of the hand

Slide the right thumb up from the bottom heel of the left hand, across the palm of the hand towards the little finger and ending just below the little finger

Now move the right thumb to the middle of the wrist, just below the heel of the left hand and slide across the whole palm; ending at the base of each finger

For the left thumb massage, take the right thumb and start at the heel of the palm; moving up the inside of the left thumb and ending at the tip of the thumb

When complete, the whole left palm (including the thumb) should have been massaged

Using the "pincher" form again, this time with your right thumb and right index finger, grab the area between your left thumb and left index finger (sometimes call the "web" area)

For the correct positioning, you should be able to feel both your right thumb and index finger through the thin skin in this area on the left hand

Be sure to massage gently in this area as it is sensitive and may become sore without much pressure

Move slowly and stop if it begins to hurt

Using the "pincher" form again, this time with your right thumb and right index finger, grab the area between your left thumb and left index finger (sometimes call the "web" area)

For the correct positioning, you should be able to feel both your right thumb and index finger through the thin skin in this area on the left hand

Be sure to massage gently in this area as it is sensitive and may become sore without much pressure

Move slowly and stop if it begins to hurt

You want to use a great hand cream when performing these hand exercises.

Moisturizer Plus by Carolyn's Fitness Formulas gives you a lightweight, mostly organic, a-little-goes-a-long-way, non-greasy lotion for maximum results.

Be sure to remove all rings and other jewelry from fingers and wrists before applying hand cream and performing this exercise routine.

Start with just a dab of hand cream on the back of each hand and work quickly yet thoroughly into the hands and fingers.

Restore and renew your hands. Transform old-looking hands into smooth, more youthful-looking hands.

In just about 4 weeks from now, you could take years off the look of your hands, by performing these movements and this feel-good hand massage twice a day.

A lunch hour is a great time to perform these exercises to help hands relax and renew after a hectic morning at the office. Right before bed is another great time to go through the routine to give your hands hydration and stimulation right before turning in...when your body is naturally restoring itself while at rest for the night.

You may spend a lot of your time focusing on your face and neck, but don't forget about your hands!