Treatments for Light Wrinkles

Treatments for Light Wrinkles
Photo Credit face image by sasha from Fotolia.com

There are a number of nonsurgical procedures, such as dermabrasion and chemical peels, that can be used to smooth out wrinkles. However, these are often reserved for deeper, more pronounced wrinkles. Light wrinkles can usually be treated at home or with a quick visit to your doctor's office, and rarely require any downtime after treatment.

Hydration

If your wrinkles are just starting to appear, you might have good results treating them with over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams. The Mayo Clinic recommends looking for ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids, copper peptides, retinol and coenzyme Q10. Applying these creams on a daily basis will help you keep the skin hydrated, which in turn fills up the wrinkles so they're less noticeable. Results, however, are limited and short-lived.

Prescription Creams

Prescription creams such as Retin-A are the next step after trying the over-the-counter variety. They usually contain retinoic acid, which is obtained from vitamin A. They come in strengths of .025 or .05 percent and can only be obtained with a prescription from your dermatologist. Retinoids make your skin particularly sensitive to the sun and can cause peeling, dryness and itching.

Botox

Botulinum toxin type A, better known as Botox, is a good solution for light wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. Botox paralyzes the muscles, flattening the skin and making it appear less wrinkled. Botox needs to be reinjected every three to four months, so costs can add up.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Jun 20, 2010

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments