Pigment spots on the hands, called solar lentigos, are directly linked to UV exposure and skin aging. Good news: their appearance can be prevented with simple measures, according to a dermatologist.
Like the neck, they are often the first to betray our age, sometimes even before the face. If we take religious care of our complexion, we tend to forget that our hands, exposed first and foremost to UV rays and external aggressions, inevitably end up becoming adorned with small dark spots. These famous pigment spots, or solar lentigos, are however not inevitable. To understand how to keep porcelain hands for as long as possible, a dermatologist gave us her tips. Between reflexes to adopt and fateful mistakes to no longer make in your bathroom, here are her expert tips.
Taking care of your little ones on a daily basis is not rocket science. Just give them the same attention as the face. We are not talking about a ten-step routine here, rest assured, but the bare minimum which nevertheless changes everything in the long run. The first essential action? “When I put on sunscreen in the morning, I don’t forget to put some on the back of my hand“, explains Dr Martine Baspeyras, dermatologist and spokesperson for the French Society of Dermatology. During the day, it is obligatory to reapply it since with repeated hand washing, the UV protection does not last long. The professional even advises wearing gloves when driving in order to limit the damage as much as possible.
The dermatologist’s second commandment? “You will bet on hydration.“Here again, like anywhere else on our body, the skin needs to be nourished and hydrated to maintain its suppleness, repair itself and better fight against external aggressions. During the day, Dr. Baspeyras recommends opting for a classic hand cream whose finish is generally dry.”Otherwise, it feels like you can’t touch anything for hours.“In the evening, on the other hand, we rely on much richer products that we apply just before going to bed so as not to be bothered by the texture and to give the epidermis time to absorb the cream.
Dr Baspeyras’ ultimate tip: to wash her hands she uses Cetaphil brand cleansing lotion. “It’s a very old product but it’s great, it leaves a moisturizing film“, she assures. And concludes: “I think that for the hands, the best thing is to moisturize them more than you do and protect them from the sun.“Message received.
