Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but that doesn't mean you can't do something to reduce or remove your wrinkled skin. Advances in plastic surgery and dermatological procedures have increased the options for wrinkle removal treatments. New techniques allow doctors to reduce wrinkles without invasive surgery, reducing the chance of complications following treatment.
Identification
Wrinkles occur when the skin becomes drier and thinner with age. Collagen, a natural substance produced by the body, keeps the skin condition and elastic. Collagen production slowly declines with age, causing decreased elasticity. When the skin is unable to quickly snap back after your smile or frown, wrinkles or grooves begin to form in the skin surface. Aging also causes a decrease in the amount of fat in your skin. When fat levels decrease, the skin becomes looser and more prone to wrinkling.
Risk Factors
While there is no way to avoid wrinkles, certain factors make wrinkles worse and contribute to premature aging. Sun exposure speeds up aging and causes early wrinkling. When you are exposed to the sun, collagen and elastin connective fibers that support the skin begin to break down, making the skin more prone to wrinkling. Smoking can also cause premature aging.
Surface Wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles occur as the first outward signs of aging. The appearance of surface wrinkles may improve with the use of topical creams and ointments. Over-the-counter products that contain alpha hydroxy acids, retinol, copper peptides and coenzyme Q10 can be somewhat helpful in reducing wrinkles, although the results may be limited and short-lived, according to the Mayo Clinic. Prescription medications that contain retinoids can be used to reduce fine wrinkles. These medications are harsher on the skin than over-the-counter products and can cause redness, burning and dryness on the face.
Deep Wrinkles
Deep wrinkles require more intensive treatment. Microdermabrasion can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles by removing surface skin by applying a fine spray of crystals or other abrasive substances to the face. Chemical peels can be effective in removing mild to moderate wrinkles. During a chemical peel, a technician applies chemicals to remove several layers of skin. Those with severe wrinkling may need a facelift, a surgical procedure used to remove loose skin and fat in the face and tighten the remaining skin.
Considerations
Laser skin resurfacing and botox, collagen and hyaluronic acid injections allow doctors to pinpoint specific areas of the face for treatment. Laser resurfacing is used to destroy the surface layer of the skin and stimulate new collagen growth in the desired areas. Botox, a purified toxin, can be injected into the brow line, forehead creases or crow's feet to temporarily paralyze muscles and reduce lines created by repeated facial expressions. Botox treatment is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure performed in the United States, according to 2008 American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery statistics. Collagen and hyaluronic acid injections are used to plump up skin around the eyes, on the forehead and in the cheeks and lips.
Effects
The effects of wrinkle reduction therapies will not last forever. The natural aging process, repeated facial expressions and sun exposure will continue to affect the face. Botox treatment may be effective for three to six months, hyaluronic acid treatment may be effective for six months and facelifts may last 10 years or more, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Follow-up procedures will be required if you wish to continue to maintain a more youthful appearance, no matter what type of procedure was performed.
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