Wrinkles

What causes wrinkles?

As we age, a variety of factors contribute to our skin aging and wrinkle formation. Sun exposure is one of the most important factors as excessive exposure thins the skin and makes it more prone to wrinkling. Everyday movements such as smiling, frowning, scowling, or squinting cause wrinkles to eventually become etched into the skin. Another major cause of wrinkles is volume loss. As we age, our body naturally loses fat and bone volume that were initially propping up the skin. Once these supports are gone, deep wrinkles are more prone to forming. 

How can I prevent wrinkles?

The only realistic way to actively prevent wrinkles is with diligent with sun protection. In addition to preventing skin cancer, wearing sunscreen and sun protective clothing is an effective way to reduce all signs of aging including wrinkles. You can try to never smile, scowl, or drink out of a straw to prevent wrinkle formation. While these methods would work, in practice they aren't very realistic options. 

How can I treat wrinkles?

The most effective cosmetic treatments for wrinkles include muscles relaxers such as Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin. Other techniques include dermal fillers and skin rejuvenation techniques such as chemical peels or microneedling.

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• Botox - Botox is the original treatment discovered to reduce wrinkles. It works by temporarily paralyzing the muscle which stops your ability to form wrinkles that are due to movements such as smiling or scowling. This treatment is highly effective when done correctly. It is performed as an injection directly into the skin and treatments last about 3 months. There are multiple brands that perform the same function as Botox. These include Dysport and Xeomin. Click on the following link to learn more: Botox

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• Dermal Fillers - These products include brands such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse. Most of these fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that is found naturally in the skin. These dermal fillers are injected directly into the skin to provide lift and volume to restore the volume that is lost as we age. They are particularly effective in improving the lines extending from the edge of the nose to the corner of the mouth known as marionette lines or the nasolabial fold. These fillers are slowly absorbed by the body and typically provide volume for about a year. Click on the following link to learn more: Fillers

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• Chemical peels - There are a variety of chemical peels used to restore the skin. Common peels include those containing trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or combinations of chemicals. The goal of a chemical peel is to remove the upper layers of damaged skin which causes the body to produce a newer and healthier appearing skin as it regenerates. Peels can be done at a variety of strengths to help achieve the desired goal. Click on the following link to learn more: Chemical Peels

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• Microneedling - A motorized pen containing dozens of small needles is used to create thousands of superficial micro-traumas to the skin. This causes the skin to produce collagen with leads to tightening and rejuvenating the skin with a noticeable reduction in wrinkles and other signs of skin aging. Click on the following link to learn more: Microneedling

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•  Topical medications -  We carry the Epionce product line to help with a variety of skin aging related products including wrinkles. Click on the following link to learn more: Epionce

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