What hand filler is for
The fat layer under the skin on the back of the hand thins from around the fourth decade. Tendons, veins and the metacarpal bones then show more clearly. Filler sits under the skin, in the layer that has thinned. The veins and tendons remain.
Skin quality and volume are separate problems, so they are treated separately. A hollow calls for filler. Spots and crepey skin call for other tools, such as skin boosters or laser. Dr Sin Yong assesses both hands and performs the treatment himself. The consultation also decides whether treatment is advised at all.
Hand filler suits people whose main concern is visible veins and tendons from lost volume. It is a poorer fit if your main concern is pigment or thin, loose skin, or if you expect the surface of the skin to change. Filler is temporary, so keeping the effect means repeat treatment, planned at review.
Hand rejuvenation in Singapore: who it may suit
These stand out because fat has been lost.
The skin itself is otherwise healthy. Thin, loose skin is a different concern.
You accept a gradual plan decided after assessment.
You are happy to treat volume and skin or pigment as separate steps.
Product options compared
| Product | Role | Can it be dissolved? |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid filler | Suits a first hand treatment or thin hands where adjustability matters | Yes, with hyaluronidase |
| Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite), undiluted | Placed on the day, then a collagen response forms around the microspheres. Considered for marked tendon or vein show in firmer tissue. May be seen or felt if placed too superficially | No |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite, hyperdiluted | A thin superficial layer, assessed separately from volume. It does not fill a hollow | No |
| Ellansé (polycaprolactone) | Placed as a gel, then a collagen response. A heavy or lumpy result is managed, not undone | No |
Volume and skin quality are separate jobs
Filler targets volume. It does not change the surface. Pigment, texture and thin, loose skin are separate concerns, and filler is the wrong tool for age spots and crepey skin. Skin boosters and laser work on hydration, texture or pigment without adding volume, but they do not cushion tendons or veins. So some hands suit boosters or laser better than filler, and some need both. Filler is often combined with skin boosters and pigment laser, planned as separate steps.
How filler is placed
Filler goes into the subcutaneous plane on the back of the hand. Topical anaesthetic cream is used, and a cannula delivers the product. There are typically one or two entry points per hand. The cannula moves in a fan pattern, and the area is moulded and massaged straight away. The product, plane and volume are all chosen after assessment, because hands lose volume differently.
The visit, step by step
Who should wait or avoid it
Treatment waits. Tell us if you are planning a pregnancy.
Active infection, rash or inflamed skin on or near the hands comes first.
Known hypersensitivity to the product or its components.
Bleeding disorders or blood thinners are reviewed before treatment.
These are assessed individually.
This is assessed individually.
These need dermatology or medical review. Marked skin excess and structural hand problems are referred on.
What hand filler cannot do
Pigment is a matter for laser, and pigmentation is planned separately.
Thin, loose skin may respond better to skin boosters or laser.
Filler does not take them away.
Joint and skin conditions of the hand are outside its scope.
Only hyaluronic acid can be dissolved. Polycaprolactone and calcium hydroxylapatite cannot.
Risks and when to call
Swelling, tenderness and bruising are expected, and we discuss them at consultation. Lumps or unevenness are possible and are reviewed at follow-up. Infection, a delayed inflammatory reaction or reduced blood supply to the skin are less common. A cannula lowers the risk of vessel injury but cannot rule it out. Worsening pain, pale, dusky, white or mottled skin, or numbness, coldness or colour change in the fingers needs urgent assessment by your injector or A&E now. Call the clinic the same day for spreading redness, warmth or fever, or for worsening swelling or a hard, painful lump. Infection and vascular problems are uncommon, but they are possible, and product choice matters because not every product can be dissolved.
After your treatment
Avoid pressing or massaging unless advised. Avoid heavy gripping, hot soaks and strenuous hand exercise. Mild swelling usually settles
Expect some swelling or bruising for a few days. Avoid heavy lifting if tender, and attend your review
Use sun protection on the backs of your hands, keep hand care gentle, and use no exfoliants on the area until advised
How long it lasts, and the fee
No duration is promised. It depends on the product, the amount, your tissue, how you use your hands, your skin quality and sun exposure. Constant hand movement may shorten it slightly compared with facial filler. Recovery also varies. The fee depends on the volume lost, the product, the amount per hand and any added skin booster or laser. A written quote follows consultation, and how we quote explains more. Hands are often considered with neck treatment.