Wrinkles are a simple fact of aging. As skin becomes older, it tends to thin and loose its elasticity. This reality, coupled with a loss of fat and a decrease in natural skin oils, can cause the formation of wrinkles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although there currently isn't a method to prevent wrinkles from forming, there are solutions that can help to reduce and even eliminate lines and wrinkles, depending on their depth and severity.
Soft Tissue Fillers
Soft tissue fillers are probably the most effective way to get rid of lines and wrinkles. Although the effects are temporary, ranging anywhere between three and six months, fillers injected under the wrinkles essentially plump up the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. This can smooth out the fine lines and wrinkles with the rest of the skin, giving you a more youthful appearance. Some of the more common fillers are collagen, hyaluronic acid and fat.
Botox
Another solution used to erase lines and wrinkles is Botox, or botulinum toxin type A. Especially used for those wrinkles along the brow, forehead and corners of the eyes, this protein-like substance is injected directly into those muscles that are attributing to the lines and wrinkles, which causes them to contract, explains the Mayo Clinic. This forces the muscles into a relaxed state, which flattens and smoothes the skin. Much like soft tissue fillers, the results are temporary, lasting upward of four months.
Peeling Agents
Peeling agents can also help to smooth out aging skin, advises the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. These acidic agents remove the epidermal and even portions of the dermal layers of the skin, which encourage new skin growth that may help to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Skin is often more youthful in appearance after the skin has healed. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, fruit acid, trichloroacetic acid and phenol can all be used for this purpose, with varying degrees of success.
Retinoids
Although retinoids are frequently used in the treatment of acne, they can also help to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, indicates the Mayo Clinic. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, applying the cream to lines and wrinkles can actually stimulate the production of collagen within the dermis just under the surface layer of the skin. As collagen builds, skin can become plumper, thereby evening out the lines.
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