Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the human aging process. However, as Medical News Today notes, the age at which people develop wrinkles and the amount they have can depend upon genetic traits and environmental factors. Pale skin and the ages at which parents developed wrinkles are uncontrollable genetics, whereas factors such as smoking, heavy drinking and exposing the skin to UV light are controllable environmental factors. A range of clinical treatments are available to fight this aging process.
Step 1
Speak with your doctor about topical retinoids. These prescription creams are derived from vitamin A and can reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles. They work by increasing and multiplying skin cell production. Examples of retinoids are Tazarotene and Tretinoin.
Step 2
Schedule an appointment with your dermatologist concerning dermabrasion. This treatment involves eroding the surface layers of the skin with the use of a rapidly rotating wire brush. The removal of this upper layer decreases the depth of the wrinkles and promotes the growth of new, less wrinkled skin from beneath.
Step 3
Consider a chemical peel to treat your wrinkles. Acid is applied to the wrinkles. This burns away the epidermis, or upper layer of the skin, and promotes new skin growth in the dermis, or lower layers. Varying strengths of acid can be used. Stronger acids will burn away some of the dermis, too. This will result in a longer recovery time, but offers more significant results.
Step 4
Talk with a specialist about soft tissue fillers. Fillers made from collagen, hyaluronic acid or your own fat are injected into the wrinkled areas. The filler inflates the skin where the indentation is so that it becomes an even and smooth surface. The results are temporary, lasting a few months.
Step 5
Schedule an appointment with a surgeon concerning a face-lift. This is a very invasive procedure which involves the removal of fat and skin tissue from the lower part of the face. Muscles, tendons and connective tissues are stretched and tightened. Recovery times can be considerable.
Tips and Warnings
- Nonprescription cosmetic wrinkle creams are less effective than topical retinoid creams. Mild chemical peels are available as over-the-counter products. They usually contain glycolic acid, derived from citrus fruits. Consult your doctor before using any self-treatment product. The face-life procedure is generally reserved for more advanced stages of aging and deeper wrinkles.
- All treatments come with side effects. Topical retinoids make the skin more photo-sensitive, so sunscreen must be worn. Dermabrasion and chemical peels are essentially wounding the skin, so expect redness, scabbing and swelling. Soft tissue fillers can cause bruising, swelling and redness too. For face-lifts, patients should prepare to have swelling and bruising for several weeks.
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