There are all kinds of cosmetic options to make your face look more youthful. Now, a dermal filler that's been used to fill wrinkles and plump lips for 20 years has been approved for hands that are showing aging.
Renee Gilbert is 62. She works hard to keep her face and body youthful, but said her hands were an age giveaway.
"I felt my hands were getting very bony and very veiny and that they were possibly showing my age," Gilbert said.
The back of the hands naturally lose volume as people age. With its new FDA approval, Restylane Lyft is now given in four to five subcutaneous injections. It's hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in the skin that gives it fullness, but goes away as people age.
"It picks up water and you can get a very nice firm, but gentle look to the hands, and the second way is it does stimulate collagen production," said Ava Shamban, MD, owner of AVA MD and Skin 5.
The back of the hands get a massage to spread the fluid evenly. It takes about 30 minutes, and there's no pain or recovery time. The effect is immediate and sustained.
"Then it acts almost like a pillow," Shamban said. "So all the veins and the tendons sink deep, back where they're supposed to be. You don't see it."
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She's thrilled with results.
"This is an excellent option that brings in some youthfulness to the hands," Gilbert said.
She said her friends are lining up to get the treatment, too.
The Restylane Lyft lasts six to 12 months, but does require a maintenance schedule. Side effects can include mild and temporary swelling, itching, redness and bruising at the injection site. Costs vary significantly according to location of the clinic, but range between $600 and $850 a syringe, and it would probably take one to three syringes per hand.
Contributors to this news report include: Wendy Chioji, Field Producer; Rusty Reed, Videographer; Cyndy McGrath, Supervising Producer; Hayley Hudson, Assistant Producer; Dave Harrison, Editor.
