As your body ages, the natural process of aging begins to reduce the amount of collagen and elastin produced in your skin, resulting in wrinkling and drooping. This wrinkling process can be further accelerated through spending too much time in the sun or taking part in harmful behaviors, such as smoking. Although most everyone will develop wrinkles at some point in their life, new advances in technology have made it so that you no longer have to live with your wrinkles.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion, and the less invasive microdermabrasion, are both options for reducing the look of wrinkles on your face. Both procedures involve your dermatologist using an abrasive product to sand down the surface of the wrinkle-affected skin. As new, smoother skin replaces the removed skin, the wrinkles are reduced. The process may also activate the production of collagen, which can help replace lost collagen due to aging. After treatment, it may take several months for the skin to heal and move from red or pink back to its original color, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel can remove wrinkles from your face. Like dermabrasion, a chemical peel removes the outer layer of affected skin, allowing a new, smoother layer of skin to replace it. Chemical peels work by chemically removing the outer layer of skin from the face. Peels can vary in strength from mild beta-hydroxy acid peels to intensive phenol peels. Most chemical peels need to be performed by your dermatologist and may include some downtime to allow the skin to heal after more intense peeling treatments.
Fillers
Dermal fillers are another option for addressing wrinkles on the face. Dermal fillers can be injected into wrinkles, filling in the empty space beneath them. This plumps the skin up so it's even with the surrounding tissue, resulting in smoother skin. Common dermal fillers include hyaluronic acid, human and bovine collagen, and fat relocation. When using animal-based dermal fillers, an allergy test may be done to ensure your safety against an allergic reaction.
Botox
Botox can be injected to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Botox is a popular medical and cosmetic product that is produced using the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium allows Botox to work as a powerful neurotoxin. When injected into wrinkles on the face, Botox blocks the action of a neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine, which paralyzes the muscle beneath the wrinkle, forcing the skin above it to lay flat. This effect on the muscle temporarily reduces the look of wrinkles on the surface of the skin. The effects of Botox only last three to six months, states the Mayo Clinic.
Surgery
The most permanent, and by far the most expensive, option for wrinkles is a surgical face-lift. During this procedure, a surgeon removes excess skin from the face and neck and then pulls the skin taut across the tissue of the face, making the skin appear smooth. Before having a face-lift, it is important to understand the possible side effects as laid out by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. These side effects may include bruising, excessive bleeding, nerve damage, fat necrosis, skin irregularities, persistent pain and the possibility for the need of a second revision surgery.
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