How to Effectively Treat Wrinkles

How to Effectively

Treat Wrinkles

What Are They?

• Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but they're most prominent on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, hands and forearms.

• Wrinkles come in two categories: 1. fine surface lines2. deep furrows

Wrinkle treatments are in general much more effective for fine lines. Deeper creases may require more aggressive techniques, such injection of fillers or plastic surgery.

What Causes Wrinkles?

• Wrinkles are caused by a combination of factors, resulting in the reduction of the protein that helps support the skin (collagen) and subsequent loss of elasticity in the skin. Although genetics are the most important determinant of skin structure and texture, sun exposure is the major contributor to wrinkles. Environmental exposure, such as to heat, wind and dust, as well as smoking, also may contribute to wrinkling.

Causes Cont’d• Age. As you get older, your skin naturally becomes less elastic and

more fragile. Decreased production of natural oils makes your skin drier and appears more wrinkled. Fat in the deeper layers of your skin, which gives the skin a plump appearance, starts to diminish. This causes loose, saggy skin and more-pronounced lines and crevices.

• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Ultraviolet radiation markedly speeds up the natural aging process and is the primary cause of early wrinkling. Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin's connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin (dermis). Without the supportive connective tissue, your skin loses its strength and flexibility. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.

Causes Cont’d• Smoking. Smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your

skin, contributing to wrinkles. This may be due to changes in the blood supply to your skin.

• Repeated facial expressions. Facial movements and expressions, such as squinting or smiling, lead to fine lines and wrinkles. They are called dynamic wrinkles. Each time you use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin. And as skin ages, it loses its flexibility and is no longer able to spring back in place. These grooves then become permanent features on your face.

• Gender. Women tend to develop more wrinkles around their mouths (perioral) than men do. That may be because women have fewer sweat glands and glands that secrete an oily matter known as sebum (sebaceous glands) to lubricate the skin and fewer blood vessels in this area.

• Poor nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies are believed to contribute to skin aging.

Signs and Symptoms• The classification of wrinkles, also known as rhytids, is based on how

deep into the skin the wrinkles extend. They could be fine surface lines and deep furrows.

• Fine wrinkles or fine lines: Are the result of changes in the upper dermis and may appear "etched" in the skin. They are superficial and are often located around the eyes, secondary to the contraction of facial muscles during smiling. Are also called “expression lines”. (Fig. 1)

• Deep wrinkles: Some wrinkles can become deep crevices or furrows and may be especially noticeable around the eyes, mouth and neck. (Fig. 2)

Treatment• Today we have more options than ever to help eliminate or at least diminish

the appearance of wrinkles. Medications, skin-resurfacing techniques, fillers, injectables and surgery top the list of effective wrinkle treatments.

• Non-prescription topical products: The effectiveness of anti-wrinkle products depends in part on the active ingredient or ingredients. Retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, poly-hydroxy acids, copper peptides and antioxidants may improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and the overall tone and texture of skin. Newer products containing active ingredients such as adult stem cells have also been shown to be effective at stimulating collagen and enhancing skin tone.

• Topical Retinoids: Prescription retinoids, derived from vitamin A (e.g. tretinoin, tazarotene) may be able to reduce fine wrinkles, splotchy pigmentation and skin roughness and must be used with a skin care program that includes daily broad-spectrum sunscreen application and protective clothing because the medication can make your skin burn more easily. It may also cause redness, dryness, itching, and a burning or tingling sensation.

Treatment

• Cosmetic procedures: • Chemical Peels: Can be performed with different type

of acid and can be superficial, medium or deep. With superficial peels, only a portion of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) is removed. After a series of peels less fine wrinkling and a fading of brown spots may be noticed. With medium-depth peels, the entire epidermis and a small portion of the dermis are removed. New skin forms to take its place. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Redness lasts up to several weeks. Deep peels are rarely performed due to the long recovery time.

Treatment• Microdermabrasion: This refers to "sanding the skin" with a machine

containing silica, aluminum crystals or diamond tips. Microdermabrasion does not change skin anatomy, though it may make the face feel smoother.

• Laser, light source and radiofrequency treatments . In ablative (wounding) laser resurfacing, a laser beam destroys the epidermis and heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates the growth of new collagen fibers. As the wound heals, new skin forms that's smoother and tighter. It can take up to several months to fully heal from ablative laser resurfacing. Newer developments in laser technology, such as non-ablative fractional resurfacing, in which the laser divides the light up into many smaller pulses, have decreased the healing time. Non-ablative lasers are less intense, so they don't injure the epidermis. These treatments heat the dermis and cause new collagen and elastin formation. After several treatments, skin feels firmer and appears refreshed. Non-ablative laser treatment typically needs to be repeated more often and results are subtle. There's also a device that uses radiofrequency instead of light to heat the dermis and underlying tissue to achieve mildly to moderately tighter skin.

Treatment• Botulinum toxin type A. When injected in small doses into specific

muscles, botulinum toxin blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. When the muscles can't tighten, the skin flattens and appears smoother and less wrinkled. Botox works well on frown lines between the eyebrows and across the forehead, and crow's-feet at the corners of the eyes. Results typically last about four to five months. Repeat injections are needed to maintain results.

• Soft tissue fillers. Soft tissue fillers, which include fat, collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid can be injected into mid and deep dermis or below to improve deep wrinkles. They plump and smooth out wrinkles and furrows and give more volume to the skin. Temporary swelling, redness and bruising in the treated area may be present. The procedure may need to be repeated every few months.

Treatment

• Combination of treatments: Best results are achieved with the combination of treatments to improve skin texture, restore volume and produce a scaffold to the skin. These include a good home skin care regimen, resurfacing with chemical peels or laser treatments, botulinum toxin and medium to deep fillers.

• Face-lift. The face-lift procedure involves removing excess skin and fat in the lower face and neck and tightening the underlying muscle and connective tissue. The results typically last five to 10 years. Healing times can be lengthy after a face-lift. Bruising and swelling are usually evident for several weeks after surgery.

Where to get help?

• http://www.askderm.com/skin-care• http://www.askderm.com/skin-care?skin_con

cern=278

• http://www.askderm.com/lifecell-all-in-one-anti-aging-treatment

• http://www.askderm.com/dcl-balancing-cleanser-anti-aging-system

• http://www.askderm.com/cellex-c-hydra-5-b-complex