How do I get lovely elegant hands?

[AngeloMysterioso]

I’m only 39 and I have nice slim forearms and slender wrists but the hands of an old lady… veiny with knobbly fingers, big wrinkly knuckles, nails that are constantly peeling and breaking. I just want nice elegant hands that don’t make
me feel like I should be hiding them all the time. Any ideas for how I can make this happen, ideally without spending a fortune?

This might help:

The telltale signs of poor health your hands reveal
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/883069782d02cac0

Retinol hand cream might be helpful. And a vit C moisturiser. Oil for your nails. I don't know about knobbles and veins, though, or what could be done to change those.

I have to say I know a lot of old ladies with beautiful hands. I have seen plenty of ugly hands on non - old ladies. It’d be nice if the agism could stop sometimes.

I have a friend who is 93 and her hands and nails are in better shape than mine.

I totally get this I’m 40 and my hands were awful. I started getting my nails professionally done with Biab which helped my nails look better. I had to show research papers etc to work to allow gel nails though.

My skin though was always dry/cracking etc and looks wrinkly. Mine is down to work having to wash my hands a million times a day and using gel hand sanitizer.

I’ve started using working hands handcream. I have a tube in work, my hand bag, car, and huge tubs in the house at the sinks and beside my bed. Basically everywhere I go. I also put a thick layer on at bedtime and use cotton gloves to sleep in. They are finally looking better but took ages and getting into the habit of putting it on regularly. If I go even just a couple days now without in notice my hands becoming awful again.

Thanks for your helpful contribution!

Exercise and oil daily

I use Sally Hansen’s ‘hard as nails’ to get my nails growing long and strong. They make my hands look elegant. Otherwise I have slightly big and veiny hands.

It's genetic darling. Mine are ugly too. But also small and stumpy like a fat kid. That's why ladies gloves were such a good idea. Become a style icon and bring ladies gloves back into fashion for everyday wear.

I just don't think you can, can you?
my two closest friends have very beautiful long elegant fingers. and I just don't. Oh well!

As the article I linked above makes clear, things like the OP’s peeling and splitting nails are very likely to have a nutritional or other health cause. Which can probably be dealt with.

Obviously other things might be genetic. Or a result of no focused care of hands.

(I have disappointingly inelegant hands. But I eat well, use appropriate gloves where necessary, avoid harmful cosmetic interventions and just try to make the best of it. As long as they work …)

Opi repair mode is amazing for flaky nails it's expensive but really works. My hands are OK, look normal for a 41 year old but I think what helps is longish nails. I did use dipping powers to do my own manicures but found the removal really damaged my nails. I now use lily and fox nail wraps and my nails are really long and strong. They have loads of designs but also completely clear ones. I can get them to last 2 weeks with a top coat and they come off with normal nail varnish remover rather than soaking them in acetone.

I have hands of a woman who has spent her life working hard - mostly in kitchens

Im 61

Skin is loosening, you can see the veins, knuckles are thickening

What I do to give the illusion of youthful - ish hands is to keep my nails looking good

I do two dips of clear powder and then file and buff to shape.

If Im going out or whatever, I will cover the dip with a polish or gel

Dip powder give me the strength I need to allow my nails to hold on - hot water, hot food, hot ovens and scourers have them wrecked if not protected

Always wear rubber gloves when doing housework, keep the car vents directed away from the hands, use gloves in winter, when gardening etc and use hand cream and cuticle oil

Keeping my nails as long as I can handle and well shaped gives the illusion of length and when painted, detract from the hard worn hands ( IMO )

I hope it was helpful, even though you may have been miffed by having your agism addressed. The more we name agism the better, it passes unrecognised all too often and is not a healthy attitude for any of us to perpetuate.

Or you could just have a day off from your high horse… 🙄

Thanks for your recommendations, will check them out

I’m not on a high horse, lucky for me. It may be that your horse is immensely low and that’s why you are perceiving me from that perspective.

Whatever lovely, you can go and find someone else to preach to now! Jesus…

@DeLaRuiz is right. Your ageism is unattractive.

Mine are the same. Any rings big enough to go over my bony knuckles just flap around my fingers. Horrible short nail beds, cuticles always peeling or overgrown. The only thing that improves them slightly is putting a few tanning drops into my hand cream so they’re not really pale and veiny as well as ugly 🙁