Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them without putting up a fight. While wrinkles are most likely to occur in areas exposed to the sun, such as your face, neck, back of the hands, and forearms, there are several things we can do to wage war on wrinkles.
We know that you want to look and feel your best, and our goal is always to find the right treatment option that will help you achieve natural-looking but impressive results.
What Causes Wrinkles?
Over time, your skin gets thinner, becomes drier, and will be less elastic. Decreased production of natural oils dries your skin as well. Eventually, this causes wrinkles, including fine lines and deep furrows. Sun exposure is a big factor in the development of wrinkles and the premature aging of the skin, along with smoking, heredity, and skin type. There is typically a higher incidence of wrinkles among those who have fair hair, blue eyes, and light skin.
So some of these causes are within your control, while others are not. Here’s more information about causes of wrinkles that you can control:
- Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light: Ultraviolet radiation speeds the natural aging process and is the primary cause of wrinkles forming early. This exposure breaks down your skin’s connective tissue, including collagen and elastin fibers, that are in the deeper layer of skin called the dermis.
- Smoking: There are many reasons to stop smoking, including the harmful effect it can have on your skin. Smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin and contribute to wrinkles.
- Repeated facial expressions: Facial movements and expressions, such as squinting or smiling, lead to fine lines and wrinkles. When you use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin. As you get older, your skin loses its flexibility and is no longer able to spring back as easily. These grooves then become permanent features on your face.
Treatment for Wrinkles
There are several possible treatments for wrinkles. Topical options, such as vitamin A acid, alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidants, and moisturizers, are often helpful. We also have more invasive options like glycolic acid peels, deep peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, and surgical procedures.
But some of our most popular treatment options for wrinkles include Botox and other injectables, such as Dysport and Xeomin. These options provide a safe, quick, and effective way to treat wrinkles caused by muscle movement and aging. Injectables are commonly used on wrinkles of the upper face, frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead.
With Botox, we are injecting in areas where we want to relax the muscles. This freezes them and stops creases and wrinkles. Advantages of Botox include no anesthesia, no downtime, and no scarring. The procedure takes only a few minutes and is performed in our office. Typically, you will see Botox results in a few days, and they should last three to four months.
Find more information about Botox, including FAQs, here on our website.
Preventing Wrinkles
While there is a lot we can do to help diminish the appearance of wrinkles, the best approach starts with doing what you can to prevent them. This involves protecting your skin as much as possible.
- Protect your skin from the sun. Limit the time you spend in the sun, especially during the midday hours. Be sure to always wear protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and sunglasses. Use sunscreen year-round when outdoors and apply generously. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.
- Choose the right type of skin-care product. We recommend a skincare product with a built-in sun protection factor (SPF). The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.
- Moisturize. Dry skin shrivels plump skin cells, and this can lead to premature fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturizing traps water in your skin, helping mask tiny lines and creases. Used regularly over a period of time, moisturizing can help improve your skin.
- Don’t smoke. Even for someone who has smoked for years or someone who smokes heavily, quitting smoking will allow you to improve your skin tone and texture and prevent wrinkles.
At Rodgers Dermatology, we prioritize listening to what our patients are hoping to achieve. To get there, we customize each plan to deliver results. Everyone is different, so we take your unique situation into consideration when we come up with a plan to wage war on wrinkles and for treating other cosmetic or medical dermatologic issues. Contact us with questions and to book an appointment!