As your skin ages, it starts to lose collagen, elastin and fat, which can make the skin appear less firm than before. Over time, fine lines and wrinkles begin to develop, and you may want to improve the appearance of your skin. In the beginning, more conservative methods can often provide you with the desired results. But as you get older, you may need to turn to more aggressive forms of treatment to achieve that youthful glow.
Topical Creams
Reduce fine lines and wrinkles with a topical cream. The Mayo Clinic suggests creams containing a combination of alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, copper peptides, coenzyme Q10, retinol or antioxidants to improve the appearance of aging skin. All of these ingredients are found in varying concentration in over-the-counter wrinkle creams. For more noticeable results, prescription creams containing a retinoid, such as tretinoin or tazarotene, should be used. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist to determine if this medication is right for you.
Botox
The depths of facial wrinkles are often reduced with Botox injections. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, botulinum toxin type A blocks the chemical signals that cause facial muscles to contract, which helps flatten the skin and reduce the signs of wrinkles. Results are temporary, lasting approximately four months. Additional injections are needed to maintain the youthful appearance of your skin.
Soft-tissue Fillers
Soft-tissue fillers are an injection that can reduce the signs of facial wrinkles. But instead of relaxing the muscles to reduce the signs of wrinkles, fillers fill the crevices that develop as a result of mature skin. Collagen and hyaluronic acid are two of the more common soft-tissue fillers used, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, but you can also use fat to provide similar results. Additional injections every few months are needed to maintain the less-aged appearance.
Skin Resurfacing
The Cleveland Clinic offers skin resurfacing as an option for wrinkles. These cosmetic procedures involve removing the surface layers of the skin to reduce natural depressions within the epidermis. Chemical peels and dermabrasion are two of the most common skin resurfacing methods. Chemical peels use a chemical agent to peel away the surface layer of the skin, while dermabrasion uses a rotary brush to sand away old epithelial cells. Both treatments leave a controlled wound that encourages the growth of new skin cells, providing a more youthful appearance to the skin.
Laser Therapy
Advancements in medicine have provided laser therapy as another means of resurfacing the skin. In this cosmetic procedure, the skin is exposed to waves of laser or light energy. This either causes a wound, which encourages the production of new epithelial cells, or stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which essentially firms and fills aging and sagging skin. Over time, the wrinkles decrease and the skin appears more youthful.
Surgery
You can also treat wrinkles with a surgical procedure. More commonly known as a face lift, excess skin is removed and the underlying facial muscles are tightened, according to the Mayo Clinic. When the skin is sutured, it tightens the face, making it appear less wrinkled than before. This is probably the longest-lasting treatment, providing results upward of 10 years.
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