HANDS: no longer to be held behind your back! | Pocketmags.com

COPIED
3 mins

HANDS: no longer to be held behind your back!

When it comes to rejuvenation, facial treatments have traditionally been prioritised over hand aesthetics. SE1 Medical Aesthetics medical director Lorenzo Garagnani looks at the importance of hands throughout history.

Over the past few years, attention from the scientific community has been drawn to hand rejuvenation procedures, although it is still a relatively new and niche field, reserved for the few who have an interest in it.

It is widely known that the neck reveals the actual age of a person, especially of those who have undergone aesthetic facial rejuvenation. This is the reason why the neck and decolletage areas have become the focus of attention for skin rejuvenation procedures. However, what is the body part that can be moved furthest away from our body, and often regarded as the ‘business card’ of a person? The answer to this question lies right in your hands.

Shaking hands is still an important gesture in many cultures. A looked-after and well-presented hand may make a significant difference when making a first impression with another person – it may be a means of inspiring confidence or even securing the deal of a lifetime. Rough, dirty hands are associated with a lack of self-care, while smooth and clean hands are universally appreciated.

Hand differences, either congenital or post-traumatic, are also an important subject, as they may have emotional or psychological repercussions on the affected individual. Even in the 21st century, these conditions may represent a social stigma in certain cultures or environments. Hand appearance is intimately connected to hand function; improved confidence about the appearance of hands allows an individual to use them more freely and not feel insecure.

Looking back through human history, we realise the significance of hand beauty — from 64,000 year old images found in the Cave of Maltravieso in Spain, to recently discovered impressions in the Tibetan Plateau of children’s hands and feet dating back approximately 200,000 years.

A lump can be seen on the back of the Mona Lisa’s right hand. Why would such an incredibly smart individual and talented artist as Leonardo Da Vinci feel the need to paint that detail, if he did not think that the hands were worth the most accurate representation?

What is the most universally known detail of Michelangelo’s Vatican City’s Sistine chapel ceiling fresco? The hands in the Creation of Adam.

It is no secret that in the Victorian era, pale hands with pristine skin were a status symbol, and this is also reflected in the art of the time.

‘Drawing Hands’, a lithograph by the Dutch artist Escher represents two hands that draw each other, and they do it exquisitely. The proportion and appearance of those hands are just perfect. If they could talk, they would definitively tell us how they like to appear, and certainly, those two hands would appreciate being looked after.

So many jewels have been created for our hands throughout the centuries, but the most important gem are our hands themselves. A broad range of rings, bracelets, and watches have historically adorned hands and wrists. Engagement rings are usually worn on hands, and they are the focus of pictures, often shared on social media. Would anyone consider sharing publicly a picture of something they don’t feel proud of?

Our brain loves our hands too. The representation of hands and faces in the brain occupy the largest region. This is because human hands are tactile organs that can replace sight when eye function is absent or impaired. The hands allow us to feed and clean ourselves, communicate, interact, and perform many daily life-related, professional and leisure activities, or simply rest our heads on them after a long and tiring day.

Fast forward to today’s ever-evolving focus, the comparison of A-list celebrity hands’ ageing, versus their flawless faces. Once that sneaky paparazzi’s long lens has immortalised a gnarled and chalky hand, there is free range to compare not only said hand to the owner’s face but also, to criticise the surgeon’s management of this patient’s expectations. How could such an aesthetic artist so poorly advise their patient, failing to inform them that by ‘fixing their face’ alone, they would be a prime target for the media’s hand rejuvenation police? Also, it raises some suspicion (as well as eyebrows, for those who can) to see stars covering their hands with gloves on any possible occasion. What are they trying to conceal?

Our hands are a beautiful gift. They deserve all the care and attention we can give them – let’s show them off!

This article appears in January 2023

Go to Page View
This article appears in...
January 2023
Go to Page View
Happy New Year and welcome to the January wellness issue of Aesthetic Medicine!
We hope you had a fabulous festive period!
Meet the Experts
The Aesthetic Medicine editorial board includes some of the leading names in aesthetics. Their clinical expertise and diverse range of specialties help ensure the magazine meets the needs of its readers
Industry News
JCCP updates guidance around premises, education and training courses
The gift of giving
Do you have any unopened skincare sitting at the back of the cupboards in your clinic, gathering dust? Northern Institute of Facial Aesthetics aesthetic nurse prescriber and lead trainer Susan Young has set up a charitable initiative to make sure surplus products don’t go to waste…
Jargon Busting
Dr Ana Cristina Diniz Silva, an established cosmetic practitioner and programme leader for the MSc in Cosmetic Medicine at online education provider Learna, breaks down the acronyms and jargon that practitioners may be encountering as the sector moves towards new legislation.
Out & about
IAAFA Conference and Charity ball returns and Dr Tapan hosts Cutera university clinical forum 2022
All about Ireland
On November 5, 2022, Aesthetic Medicine held its first-ever event in Ireland. Here we take a look at what went on during the one-day show at the RDS, Dublin.
Luxe Skin by Dr Q
Meet Dr Usman Qureshi, industry-leading cosmetic physician, aesthetic doctor, founder of the Luxe Skin clinic and Aesthetic Medicine’s latest columnist! Editor Anna Dobbie spoke to Dr Qureshi (better known as Dr Q) about his professional journey so far and the importance of loving what you do.
Is it time to rethink lab skin testing?
Deputy editor Kezia Parkins speaks to biotech startup Keratify, which is aiming to resolve the limitations of current laboratory skin testing with an ex vivo solution to create safer and more effective skincare.
Global market trends: anti-ageing
Anti-ageing is a key trend in the aesthetic market with customers expressing a strong need for collagen stimulators. Many fillers have come out under the name of ‘collagen stimulators’ but these fillers still cannot satisfy this need, as the particles only give a localised effect.
Q-Tips on Omni-modal treatments
Each month, our columnist, cosmetic doctor, and founder of Luxe Skin Dr Usman Qureshi (aka Dr Q) will give his top tips on a common aesthetic procedure. In this first entry, Dr Q looks at the benefits
Let’s get to the bottom of it
Following an extensive four-year review of clinical data, new technology and techniques, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has published its Superficial Gluteal Lipofilling (SGL)guidelines. We speak to one of the authors of the document, Dr Omar Tillo, and US plastic surgeon Dr Daniel Del Vecchio, who led extensive clinical research, about the topic.
New Year Investments
Consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon Mr Dalvi Humzah shares his top three investment recommendations for 2023.
The W factor
Consultant editor Vicky Eldridge looks at how wellness is transcending into the world of aesthetics and fast becoming one of the biggest sector trends of the decade
HANDS: no longer to be held behind your back!
When it comes to rejuvenation, facial treatments have traditionally been prioritised over hand aesthetics. SE1 Medical Aesthetics medical director Lorenzo Garagnani looks at the importance of hands throughout history.
The V word
The newest cast member of Real Housewives of Cheshire, Katie Alex, is on a mission to break the taboo surrounding women’s health and intimate rejuvenation. A specialist nurse with more than 10 years of medical experience, the ‘fairy godmother of Cheshire’ speaks to Aesthetic Medicine editor Anna Dobbie about using her public platform to help women struggling with intimate health issues.
Air time
Aesthetic Medicine consultant editor Vicky Eldridge tries out the SLIMYONIK® AIR BODYSTYLER
High-tech facials: Derma Frac
Next up in our foray into some of the industry’s most high-tech facials, deputy editor Kezia Parkins tries out DermaFrac’s 3-in-1 microdermabrasion/micro-needling device.
Product News
SkinGenuity SkinGenuity Skin Health’s skincare range is now
When things go wrong
GP expert witness and aesthetic doctor Dr Sam Al-Jafari looks at why patients sue and how to protect yourself.
How to avoid recession depression
As part of his business masterclass series in partnership with Aesthetic Medicine, Philip Elder from Exceptional Aesthetics looks towards the year ahead.
Seven ways to stand out
Measuring yourself against your competitors and trying to emulate successful elements of their business is a solid strategy for business owners wanting to up their game. Clinic Connect managing director Gavin Griffiths explains what differentiates truly great clinics from the rest of the field.
Are you an X or Y manager?
A good manager knows how to motivate their team, but not every manager has the same style. Impact International’s head of creative change Dominic Fitch explains the differences between X and Y managers, and how to know which managerial style is best for you and your team.
Ask Alex
Marketing content is important, but can I make producing it easier in 2023?
Looking for back issues?
Browse the Archive >

Previous Article Next Article