Combination Approaches to Hand Rejuvenation: A Review of the Literature and Discussion

Abstract

BACKGROUND Various noninvasive/minimally invasive modalities for hand rejuvenation exist, and the efficacy and safety of these procedures as both monotherapy and same-day procedures is increasingly being studied. OBJECTIVE To review data on the efficacy and safety of hand rejuvenation modalities and suggest a practical combination approach for these procedures. METHODS The PubMed database was queried for peer-reviewed articles regarding hand rejuvenation techniques, including chemical peels, laser and light sources, sclerotherapy, autologous fat transfer, and injectable volumetric fillers. RESULTS Chemical peels have been studied the least, with most studies evaluating the use of fillers and laser/light-based devices. Most studies reported overall good results with high patient satisfaction. Satisfaction rates were lower in laser/light-based treatments compared with other modalities. Transient erythema, edema, or pain after procedures was common; most studies did not report serious postprocedure complications. Importantly, there was no significant increase in adverse effects after same-day procedures. CONCLUSION Using same-day procedures allows practitioners to address hand rejuvenation from different aspects, seems to improve outcomes, and reduces time spent in the office for patients. The authors suggest a practical framework for combining cosmetic approaches to achieve the most optimal outcome for hand rejuvenation.