Why Your Hands Age 47% Faster Than Your Face (And What Science Says You Can Do About It)
- Penn Smith
- 5 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Spoiler alert - there's a new LED device in this blog, with an AMAZING discount EXCLUSIVE TO MY COMMUNITY starting today!!
As I mentioned in my recent video about body skincare, we spend so much time caring for the skin on our face, but often the first places to show sun damage and aging are our bodies - especially our hands!!
After a summer of diligent facial sunscreen application and anti-aging serums, many of us notice something striking: our poor hands show hyperpigmentation, dull texture, and visible signs of aging that our face simply isn't displaying.
But why does this happen? Is there scientific evidence that hands really do age faster than facial skin?
The answer is yes - and the research is striking.
The Science Behind Aging Hands
A landmark 2016 study published in Skin Research and Technology examined skin characteristics across 16 different anatomical locations in 241 healthy caucasian adults aged 20-85 years. The researchers measured elasticity, pigmentation (melanin), and thickness at sites including the face, hands, arms, chest, back, and legs.
The results revealed striking differences not just in how various body areas differ, but in how rapidly they age over time.
The Dramatic Acceleration of Hand Aging - The numbers tell the story:
Pigmentation: The Most Telling Sign
When comparing the backs of the hands to the cheeks across different age groups, the accelerated aging of hand skin becomes undeniable:
Melanin Index Changes from Ages 20-29 to 70-85:
Backs of Hands:
Ages 20-29: 166.4 units
Ages 70-85: 240.2 units
Total increase: 73.8 units (44% increase)
Cheeks:
Ages 20-29: 153.3 units
Ages 70-85: 193.1 units
Total increase: 39.8 units (26% increase)
The backs of the hands showed nearly double the rate of pigmentation increase compared to cheeks over the same lifespan. In other words, hands accumulate pigmentation at nearly twice the rate of facial skin.
This means your hands are not only starting with more pigmentation from early sun exposure, but they're accumulating age spots and uneven tone at a dramatically faster rate than your face.
Loss of Elasticity: The Aging Timeline
The biological elasticity measurements - which indicate how well skin "snaps back" after being stretched - reveal an even more concerning pattern of accelerated aging on hands:
Biological Elasticity (Immediate Recoil) from Ages 20-29 to 70-85:
Backs of Hands:
Ages 20-29: 0.394 (excellent recoil)
Ages 70-85: 0.210 (poor recoil)
Total decline: 0.184 (47% loss of elasticity)
Cheeks:
Ages 20-29: 0.328
Ages 70-85: 0.208
Total decline: 0.120 (37% loss of elasticity)
Hands lose elasticity faster than facial skin, and this loss is also more visibly apparent. When you pinch the skin on the back of your hand in your 70s, it stays "tented" significantly longer than it would have in your 20s - and this effect is more dramatic than the same test on your cheek.
This accelerated loss of elastic recoil is why hand skin develops that characteristic "tissue paper" appearance - wrinkled, thin, and loose - that can make hands look decades older than the face 😢.
Why do hands age at this accelerated rate?
1. Thinner skin structure from the start
The study's skin thickness measurements revealed that hands begin with a structural disadvantage:
Backs of hands: 0.97-1.09 mm thick (average across age groups)
Cheeks: 1.17-1.56 mm thick (average across age groups)
The skin on the backs of your hands is approximately 30-35% thinner than cheek skin. This means:
Less cushioning to protect against damage
More vulnerability to UV penetration
Greater visibility of age-related changes like veins and tendons
Less structural support to maintain elasticity
2. Constant Unprotected Sun Exposure
The study specifically attributed the exceptionally high melanin levels and dramatic age-related increases on the hands to increased sun exposure. While most people apply sunscreen to their face daily, hands are frequently forgotten - yet they're exposed to UV radiation every time you drive with your hands on the steering wheel (direct UV exposure through the windshield), when you work at a computer near a window, and of course, spend time outdoors.
This cumulative, unprotected exposure explains why pigmentation increases 44% on hands versus only 26% on cheeks over the same timespan.
3. Less Protection and Care
While facial skin typically receives daily protection with SPF, serums, moisturizers, and targeted anti-aging treatments, hands are often completely neglected. The study demonstrated that areas receiving more aesthetic attention (like the face) showed slower rates of aging than frequently overlooked areas (like the hands).
4. Daily Wear and Tear
Our hands work hard - typing, cleaning, gardening, washing dishes, and handling countless daily tasks. This constant exposure to water and chemical detergents strips away the skin's natural protective oils and lipid barrier, causing dryness and barrier disruption. Research demonstrates that skin's response to mechanical stress becomes less effective with age, making older hands even more vulnerable to this daily assault. Unlike our faces, which rarely come into direct contact with harsh cleaning products, our hands endure this chronic chemical and mechanical stress unprotected - accelerating visible aging beyond what facial skin experiences.
Addressing the Damage: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The good news? You don't have to accept this accelerated aging as inevitable. The combination of targeted topical care and LED light therapy offers a scientifically-backed approach to addressing all three key concerns identified in the research: hyperpigmentation, loss of elasticity, and crepey texture.
In my recent blog, I shared my complete protocol for deploying proven actives - the same ones that transform facial skin - to neglected areas like hands. With summer behind us, this is the ideal time to start: cooler weather means less sun exposure for treatment, while indoor heating makes intensive hydration even more critical.
The Protocol:
Nighttime:
Adapalene (retinoid) to speed cell turnover and fade pigmentation
Moisturizer to support barrier function
Daytime:
Exfoliating acid to shed surface pigment
Vitamin C for tyrosinase inhibition and antioxidant protection
Broad-spectrum SPF (this is non-negotiable!)
Why I Added LED Light Therapy to My Hand Routine
If you've followed me for long, you KNOW how much I love LED therapy for skin rejuvenation. I've created countless videos and written extensively about the science behind photobiomodulation and how red and near-infrared light can stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and even help fade hyperpigmentation (you can read my deep dive here).
But I'm going to make a confession: my LED commitment is A+ on my face, B on my neck... maybe a C on my body (I love my panel, but it can be time-consuming!!) and 😬 I'd give myself a 'D' for LED compliance on my hands.
Why? Honestly, I find it VERY hard to keep my hands still for long enough, consistently enough, to build up any cumulative benefit. I can't scroll on my phone, make coffee, or do anything productive while treating my hands with a panel. And the LED devices on the market just haven't been optimized to treat the hands - until now.
The Game-Changer: Maysama LED Hand Glove
For the past few weeks, I've been lucky enough to have a pre-release of Maysama's new LED hand glove, and it's genuinely changed my hand LED compliance.
You're correct if you're thinking "wait, there are other LED hand mitts on the market!". Yes, Omnilux launched their Contour Glove in 2020. I gave it a try, but sadly, I just couldn't be compliant. The thing is, the Omnilux Glove (and others released since) always trapped my fingers - leaving me frustrated and unable to make a coffee, work on my phone, or blow dry my hair. So into the cupboard all previous hand LED devices went - and still sit!!
But not the Maysama Glove!!
Why This Device Actually Works (For Me)
Without a doubt, the Maysama team got it right. Here's why it's become my favorite new device:
The fit and form. It's light, comfortable, and, with the detachable rechargeable battery, a true pleasure to wear and use. I can actually DO things while wearing it - which means I actually USE it.
Safe for all skin tones. Those whose pigmentation may be exacerbated by red LED can safely use near infrared (NIR) alone - toggling off the RED LED. More on this below.
Cutting edge. It has Maysama's signature pulsed light technology - watch this video to learn about the science behind this compelling feature.
Another feature that may not have been a design goal is that it's so lovely and lightweight and wire-free that it's easy to place anywhere. I've taken to moving it to my decollete while flopping on the sofa after treating my hands!
Finally, even before my discount (and the AMAZING Black Friday Sale), and despite having a better fit and more impressive features, the Maysama glove is priced significantly less than the Omnilux. I think this is an example of how technology and innovation (and an entrepreneurial, customer-focused spirit at Maysama) can demonstrate real leapfrogging 🐸.)
The Maysama Black Friday Sale - Exclusive to my community - HOW IT WORKS:
Get 32%* off when you spend more than $100/£100
Get 50% off when you spend more than $600 / £500
*As an EXCLUSIVE for my community, my "Best Before Black Friday" code BBBF unlocks an gives 32% discount - 2% more than any other offer (purchases over $600 will get 50% off - which is phenomenal!!!
Just add chosen products to your basket and apply code BBBF at checkout to unlock your discount! You can shop from Maysama's 'bundles' or put together your own.
My Current Complete Hand Protocol:
Combining the topical actives with LED light therapy 3-4x per week has given me the most comprehensive approach to addressing all the concerns the research identified:
Morning:
Exfoliating acid
Vitamin C serum
SPF 50 (reapplied throughout the day)
Evening:
Adapalene
Rich moisturizer
3-4x per week:
Maysama LED Glove session (I do this while watching TV or catching up on emails)
The Bottom Line
The scientific evidence is clear and striking: hands don't just age differently than faces - they age dramatically faster. With pigmentation increasing at nearly double the rate and elasticity declining 47% compared to 37% on facial skin, hands truly can look 10-20 years older than your face by the time you reach your 60s and 70s.
But this also means they represent an opportunity - a chance to take proactive steps before more visible signs of aging take hold.
LED light therapy (combining red and NIR wavelengths, or NIR alone for those with darker skin tones concerned about pigmentation) offers a practical, at-home solution for addressing these accelerated age-related changes. By targeting the cellular mechanisms that contribute to skin aging while avoiding the risk of melanin overstimulation, light therapy can help restore a more youthful appearance to hands without the risks associated with more aggressive treatments.
Combined with consistent topical care and - most importantly - daily sun protection, you can help slow the accelerated aging process and bring your hands back in line with your face.
NOTE: An Important Clarification About LED and Skin Tone
Both red and near-infrared (NIR) light therapy can effectively treat unwanted hyperpigmentation in many individuals, particularly those with lighter skin tones (typically Fitzpatrick types I-III). However, some individuals with darker skin tones may find that certain visible red wavelengths can potentially exacerbate hyperpigmentation. This is where the versatility of the Maysama LED Glove becomes particularly valuable: its controller allows users to select a near-infrared-only session, bypassing visible red light entirely. This means that people of all skin types - from the fairest to the darkest - can safely harness the powerful anti-aging benefits of LED light therapy, including improved collagen production, enhanced elasticity, and reduced inflammation, without concerns about worsening pigmentation. Learn more about LED therapy and melasma here https://youtu.be/mXYMRjNsOqE?si=cWS9j-Q4sBpfKLuy
FTC: Links in this post are affiliate ~ Please note that all links on this page are affiliate and if you choose to shop from them I appreciate your support!!!
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this blog is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or skin related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this website should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare/skin professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this website are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. It is important that you check labels to determine if a product is right for you. Before starting any treatment at home consult a health care or skin care professional to determine if it’s right for you.