Skip These Nail Shapes If You Have Older Hands

The hands are one of the first places to display signs of aging. While this may be a hard fact to swallow, it certainly makes sense. Our hands are one of the body parts most exposed to the sun throughout our lives, not to mention the harsh products they come into contact with, and these factors are known to accelerate aging symptoms on the skin. Luckily, there are numerous ways to reduce the signs of aging on your hands, including using SPF and moisturizing them, but you can also create the illusion of youth with your nail-styling choices. Just as there are nail colors to skip if you have older hands, there are nail shapes to avoid for a younger look. 

According to celebrity and editorial manicurist Sonya Meesh, looking after your nail health and the surrounding skin is paramount when it comes to keeping your hands looking youthful. In an exclusive conversation with Glam, they reveal that taking care of your hands is much more powerful than any nail shape or color choice if your goal is younger-looking skin. "I would argue [the hands are] the most exposed part of your body aside from your face, so make sure you're giving them love!" they explain. However, to complement your nail-care routine, it's best to steer clear of dramatic nail shapes that draw attention to the hands and the signs of aging that they carry.

Bold nail shapes can boost your confidence and help you represent your personality and individuality. If those are values that you hold dear, you should wear them to your heart's content and feel absolutely free to rock the extreme-edge nail shape. That said, since these edgier silhouettes naturally draw the eye, they can also make the hands seem older by emphasizing imperfections like wrinkles and age spots. This goes for all pronounced shapes, including stiletto, coffin, flare, and lipstick nails. Square nails are one of the most common nail shapes, but while they're not classified as bold, they are sharp and definitive, making them contrast the natural shape of the nail. Therefore, the same issue arises, and they draw attention to the hands and, thus, to signs of aging (even though square nails are the best choice for a low-maintenance manicure).

As a rule of thumb, nail shapes that closely align to the most natural silhouette will stop people from gawking at your hands. "Honestly, nothing beats a short, clean nude manicure," Sonya Mesh confirms in our exclusive chat. They note that nail colors, by the same token, should also veer toward the simple: "I find opaque nudes distracting and more noticeable. If you're concerned with how your hands look like, then it's best not to draw attention to them." If you're a fan of long nails, going for oval, almond, or round shapes will give you a more seamless final result.

Sonya Meesh assures us that nail shape is far from the most pressing factor making your hands look older. It can help to consider going for naturally shaped nails over dramatic shapes, but still, you'll get the best results by looking after your nail and skin health. "I would suggest nail treatments that are universally flattering," they tell Glam exclusively, recommending the Dermelect Transfix Restore & Repair Peptide Base Coat and the Manucurist Active Smooth, a "color/care hybrid" polish. "I love both of these products because you don't need a topcoat and they dry quickly and look great across all skin tones," Meesh explains.

Other than nail treatments, you can keep your hands looking as young as possible by regularly moisturizing them and protecting them with gloves while doing things like gardening or washing dishes. If you're really concerned about the signs of aging on your hands, there are cosmetic treatments available, too. Age spots, in particular, can be dealt with using a range of methods, including laser therapy and microdermabrasion. Laser therapy can also target visible veins and wrinkly skin, while the latter can also be treated with regular chemical peels. Weak or damaged nails can also exacerbate older-looking hands, so prevent your nails from peeling by staying on top of your nutritional requirements and avoiding harsh salon manicures. 

There's no shame in seeking out flattering nail shapes or using cosmetic treatments to achieve younger-looking hands, but remember that aging is a natural process that everybody goes through. Unless the signs really bother you, there's no dire need to address them.