A Closer Look at Facial Wrinkles

 

Wrinkles are evidence of years of life experience and give clues to our overall personality. For example, people who smile often tend to develop laugh lines or crow’s feet. The first feature people are likely to notice when they meet us is our face, wrinkles and all. However, many people feel that, as a result of these age-related changes, their features don’t adequately reflect their inner personality. But what really causes these lines and creases on our skin? Dr. Ellen Turner and her team hope to help patients at their Dallas-based dermatology practice to be better informed about the causes of wrinkles, as well as the available treatments.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid the inevitable signs of aging. Choosing the right methods of prevention and treatment depends on how the wrinkles in question form, their severity, and where they are located on the face.

The two basic categories of wrinkles are dynamic and static. The repeated muscle movements we make each time we express emotions lead to dynamic wrinkles. As years pass, the skin becomes more fragile and no longer snaps back into place as easily when it is pulled in different directions. Static wrinkles, on the other hand, owe their existence to more accelerated damage that stems from intrinsic aging, sun damage, and harmful external factors.

Dynamic wrinkles are visible when we make certain facial expressions, while static wrinkles are seen even when the face is at rest. Some of the main strategies for reducing wrinkles include BOTOX^®, dermal fillers, laser skin resurfacing, and chemical peels—with the specific treatment depending on the type of wrinkles being addressed.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic

The most well-known treatment for tackling unwanted wrinkles is BOTOX^®. This injectable helps patients to achieve a smooth, fresh-faced appearance by preventing messengers in the nervous system from telling facial muscles to contract. This technique is applied for dynamic wrinkles, such as dynamic expression lines (ones that form due to constant facial expressions). It is FDA approved for wrinkles around the eyes and forehead at the top of the face, but is also commonly used on bunny lines, chin dimples, gummy smiles, and to lift drooping eyebrows.

Dermal Fillers

Wrinkles also appear in areas where the skin has been damaged by the sun or has gradually lost volume. Aging slows many of the processes in the skin that once kept it plump and buoyant. In addition to the natural aging process, our habits and environmental influences can be harmful to our complexion. For example, smoking, the force of gravity, and excessive ultraviolet exposure can lead to premature aging.

In these cases, the skin forms static wrinkles, such as tiny elastic lines that develop on the cheeks, lips, and neck, and can sag and form creases and jowls, known as gravitation wrinkles.

The family of Juvederm^® dermal fillers, along with other similar hyaluronic acid-based products like the Restylane^® collection, are designed to combat these types of static wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid restores moisture and volume to the skin in the treatment area, filling in deep wrinkles and some forms of gravitation wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds. These fillers are also good for compression wrinkles, which are caused by pressure on the face from sleeping in certain positions or friction from pillowcases and sheets.

Silhouette Instalift^®

A newer option for those with heavy nasolabial folds or who just want a mini-facelift without the recovery time is known as Instalift^®, which utilizes threads that are composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a sugar molecule that stimulates collagen upon its breakdown. These threads are composed of small knots and cones that allow tissue to be moved up and out in a matter of minutes in a virtually painless procedure. It is being termed the “perfect procedure” for those between the needle and scalpel, and is typically great for people between the ages of 40 and 70.

 

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Mild to severe static wrinkles and lines caused by sun damage can be treated with laser skin resurfacing, which can also make some dynamic wrinkles look better. This technique uses laser energy to remove the damaged outer layers and encourage collagen production, which provides ongoing cosmetic improvement.

 

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are another measure for reducing the severity of wrinkles. For this skin resurfacing procedure, a chemical solution is applied to strip away the superficial layer of the epidermis where most of the skin damage and dead cell buildup is found. The newly revealed skin is smoother and clearer. This is a good choice for patients with minor static wrinkles.

Want to learn more about the medical and cosmetic skincare services? Visit the Dallas-based Dermatology Office of Dr. Ellen Turner to schedule an appointment, or call the practice directly at (214) 373-7546 for further details.