Wrinkles often seem to rear their heads too soon. Excessive sun exposure, poor nutrition and tobacco use can all contribute to unsightly facial lines, but the most common cause is simply age. While wrinkles may be an unavoidable side effect of aging, certain treatments can help diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Consult with your dermatologist for an assessment of your individual condition to help decide which treatment method is likely to be most effective.
Topical Treatments
Topical creams that contain retinoids derived from vitamin A may reduce fine wrinkles, though they do little to diminish deep creases. Retinoids make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it is important to wear a sunscreen with a high SPF if you cannot avoid sun exposure. The most effective retinoid creams are available with a prescription.
Nonprescription wrinkle creams often contain alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidants, copper peptides or coenzyme Q10. These creams can make a slight improvement in shallow wrinkles for some people, but the results are typically short term, warns MayoClinic.com.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a procedure that removes the top layers of skin so a new layer can form with less wrinkles. Many patients experience redness, swelling and scabbing in the first weeks after treatment, and it can take several months to notice an improvement in the appearance of wrinkles.
Microdermabrasion is similar to dermabrasion, but the procedure removes less skin. Healing is typically quicker following microdermabrasion treatments, but you may need several treatments to see results. Wrinkles can reappear over time after dermabrasion treatments, so you may require follow-up treatment sessions as long as you want to keep your results.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing destroys the outer layer of skin and stimulates the deeper layers to produce new collagen, creating new skin that is smoother and less wrinkled. Intense lasers provide the best results but come with longer healing time, up to several months in many cases.
Gentler lasers that encourage collagen production without destroying the outer layer of skin have shorter recovery times, but the results are often less pronounced and you may need several treatment sessions before you notice an improvement.
Botox
Botulinum toxin type A, or Botox, is an injection that prevents facial muscles from tightening, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Botox injections are particularly effective at minimizing the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth, eyes and forehead, explains MayoClinic.com. The effects of each injection last three to four months, at which point you need to schedule an appointment for a new injection to maintain your results.
Soft Tissue Fillers
Soft tissue fillers, including fat, collagen and hyaluronic acid, help fill in wrinkles and deep creases, reducing their appearance. Collagen injections are safe in almost all facial areas, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your dermatologist will likely perform a collagen allergy test before giving you the injection. While the results of soft tissue fillers can be pronounced, most patients must repeat the injections every two to four months to maintain their new look.
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