Fine lines and wrinkles are a natural part of aging. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity which causes fine lines and wrinkles to form on the skin. It’s not just about looking older; it can also be an indication of sun damage or dryness, which makes these already delicate areas more susceptible to premature aging.
What Causes Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
As the skin ages, its collagen and elastin fibers break down. When this happens, the delicate dermal-epidermal junction fragments and loses its structural support. This can lead to fine lines and wrinkles as well as sagging.
These breakdowns in the dermal-epidermal junction also result in a loss of hydration levels causing dryness, which makes these areas more susceptible to chapping and irritation.
Furthermore, the sebaceous (oil) glands secrete less oil as we age resulting in dryer skin that flakes more easily and may start to wrinkle around the nose, mouth, or eyes.
All of these combined factors cause fine lines and wrinkles to form on your face over time, as well as a loss of elasticity in your facial contours and sagging.
As we age, the skin also loses its natural ability to repair itself effectively which can lead to further damage. That is why anti-aging products are made up of ingredients that help undo the damage accumulated over time.
What are the Types of Wrinkles?
Wrinkles can be classified into three types:
1. Dynamic wrinkles
2. Static wrinkles
3. Creases or folds (natural folds in the skin)
What are Dynamic Wrinkles?
Dynamic wrinkles form when a muscle group is moving resulting in tension on the skin which eventually causes fine lines and wrinkles to form and appear on your face over time such as smiling, frowning, squinting, etc. The creases around your mouth are one example of dynamic wrinkles. If you damage this area by smoking or sun exposure these dynamic wrinkles will become more pronounced and would require an anti-wrinkle treatment like BTX treatments to reduce their appearance.
Static Wrinkles
Static wrinkles form when the muscle groups around your face contract constantly over time, for example when you cry or smile excessively. These wrinkles are permanent and remain on your face all the time even if you stop smiling. As these dynamic wrinkles age, they cause fine lines and wrinkles to form in these areas as well. Static wrinkles are not just a sign of aging but your body’s inability to repair itself effectively.
What are Non-Invasive Treatments for Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
BTX Treatments
BTX treatments are non-invasive treatments that work by relaxing the muscles around your face which causes these wrinkles to appear less prominent or even disappear. As we age, our skin loses its natural ability to relax and contract on its own so we require a chemical ingredient called botulinum toxin (BTX) which is injected into the affected area in order to stimulate muscle relaxation effectively and dramatically improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles without surgery or downtime. The effects last from 3-4 months up to 6 months depending on the individual.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Injectable dermal fillers like collagen and hyaluronic acid are commonly used for crow’s feet, smile lines, etc. They can also be used to fill in depressions, hollows and scars.
Injectable dermal fillers are non-invasive treatments that last up to 1 year or even longer depending on the individual and how well your body forms a natural chemical called hyaluronic acid around the filler which causes it to retain its volume and shape.
Fotona Face Lift
Fotona Face Lift is a non-invasive laser treatment that works by lifting sagging skin while improving skin tone and skin texture by stimulating collagen production in the skin. It is used to treat wrinkles on the face including deep nasolabial (laugh) lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles. The results are visible after just 1 or 2 treatments with long-lasting effects.
HIFU
HIFU is a non-invasive, non–surgical treatment that effectively treats wrinkles, skin laxity, and scarring by stimulating collagen production in the dermis without damaging your skin. HIFU is also known as the ‘lunchtime’ procedure because it takes only 30 minutes to perform with instant results, after which you can return to work straight away.
