HOMEHealth Education Guide
Be Cautious of 'Chicken Claw' Hands, It Reveals Your Age!
Is Your Hand the First to Show Your Age? Be Cautious of 'Chicken Claw' Hands, It Reveals Your Age!
As we age, collagen loss is not limited to the face; the skin on the back of the hands also gradually shows signs of aging. While many celebrities receive praise for maintaining youthful faces, when they extend their hands, the loose skin and visible veins often give away their age. This is what is known as "chicken claw hands."
Understanding the Formation of Chicken Claw Hands
"Chicken claw hands" are not only caused by collagen loss, but also by the reduction of subcutaneous fat on the back of the hands. As we age, this fat gradually diminishes, making the skin appear thinner, and the veins and tendons become more visible—these are the hallmark characteristics of "chicken claw hands." The lines on the back of the hand that seem like bones are actually tendons that control finger extension.
Are Men More Likely to Have Chicken Claw Hands?
Many people assume that men, due to frequent heavy lifting, experience faster skin aging in their hands than women. However, the reality is quite the opposite. According to medical research, women lose collagen at a faster rate than men, making them more prone to developing chicken claw hands.
The Formation Process of Chicken Claw Hands
- Genetics or Hereditary Factors: Some people may have thinner skin on their hands, making the tendons, veins, and bone contours more visible. Certain conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can also lead to the appearance of chicken claw hands.
- Pathological Factors: Osteoarthritis is a common pathological cause that accelerates the aging process of the hands.
Rapid Weight Changes: Rapid weight loss leads to quick fat loss, causing the skin on the hands to sag, and the joints on the back of the hands to droop, making chicken claw hands appear sooner. - Lifestyle Habits: Prolonged use of the hands, such as for computer work, piano playing, heavy lifting, or weight training, can make the veins on the back of the hands more noticeable, which may lead to the development of chicken claw hands.
- Aging: As we age, soft tissue in the skin gradually diminishes, and the support for the skin on the hands weakens, eventually leading to the aging phenomenon known as chicken claw hands.
How to Care for Your Hands and Avoid Chicken Claw Hands?
To care for your hands and delay the appearance of chicken claw hands, here are three practical tips:
- Reduce External Stimuli: For example, use gloves when washing dishes and choose mild cleaning agents.
- Sun Protection: Remember to apply sunscreen when riding a bike or going outside to reduce UV damage to the skin on your hands.
- Regular Care: Use anti-aging skincare products, and consider professional treatments to delay the aging process of your hands.
Can Anti-Wrinkle Creams Improve Chicken Claw Hands?
Most anti-wrinkle creams or hand creams available in the market only provide temporary hydration. Since dry skin accelerates aging, these products can help prevent chicken claw hands to some extent. However, if the symptoms of chicken claw hands are already noticeable, it's advisable to opt for medical aesthetic treatments for improvement.
Medical Aesthetic Treatments for Chicken Claw Hands
- Hyaluronic Acid:
Hyaluronic acid can replenish lost soft tissue and improve skin sagging and wrinkles. However, because the skin on the hands is thin and frequently moves, the effects of hyaluronic acid are usually less durable, requiring more frequent injections. It's also important to note the potential for the "Tyndall effect," where the injection site might appear unnatural under strong light. To reduce this effect, opaque fillers like "Crystal Clear" are recommended.
Who is Suitable for Treatment of Chicken Claw Hands?
- People with noticeable hand wrinkles
- Those who feel insecure about the appearance of their hands
- People who appear older due to chicken claw hands
- Individuals with loose hand skin, and loss of fat and collagen
- Those who have lost fat in the back of their hands due to rapid weight loss or being underweight
The Treatment Process for Chicken Claw Hands
The treatment typically starts after applying a topical anesthetic cream, followed by a fine needle injection. There may be 2 to 4 tiny injection sites on the back of the hand. After treatment, you can apply artificial skin or waterproof bandages and wash your hands. There may be slight swelling or discomfort after the procedure, but typically no significant pain. Depending on individual skin conditions and the chosen injection material, the doctor will adjust the concentration and depth of the injection to ensure that it does not affect the tendons or hand function.
Considerations for Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Pre-Treatment: Avoid using irritating hand care products.
- Within 3 Days Post-Treatment: Avoid pressing on the injected area.
- Within 1 Week Post-Treatment: Avoid using acidic products or cleaning your hands with hot water. If swelling, bruising, pain, or itching occurs, you can apply cold compresses to relieve discomfort.
- Within 1 Month Post-Treatment: Avoid hot springs, and increase sun protection and hydration.
