Wrinkles occur when skin ages, loses elasticity, becomes thinner and more dry. It's a natural and inevitable part of aging. Genetics determine when wrinkles start developing and how deep they will be. If older generations in your family started getting wrinkles early in life, it's likely you will, too.
Medications
Retinoids, which can be prescribed by your physician or dermatologist, can help reduce wrinkles. The Cleveland Clinic reports that tazarotene (sold as Zorac), tretinoin (Retin-A) and isotretinoin (Isotrex) reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles in about one or two people out of 10.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion uses an instrument with a sandpaper-like surface to remove the outer layers of skin. Recovery time could take about seven to 10 days and another eight to 12 weeks before the wounds heel. The American Journal of Clinical Dermatology published an article in 2003 reporting that dermabrasion is a less popular treatment compared to other invasive laser treatments.
Laser Treatment
Using an intense beam of light, laser resurfacing destroys the outer layer of skin, eliminates wrinkles and encourages cell regrowth by heating the lower layers of skin and stimulating collagen. When new skin grows in, it's tighter and more smooth, according to the Mayo Clinic. Compared to other minimally invasive procedures, laser therapy poses a smaller risk for infection and less scarring. However, multiple treatments may be required.
Chemical Peel
A chemical peel uses an acid similar to those used in topical anti-wrinkle creams, but a stronger formulation, to burn the outer layers of skin. When new skin grows back, it's tighter and smoother. Wrinkles that appear on the new skin may be more superficial than the deeper wrinkles eliminated by the chemical peel. According to PlasticSurgery.org, this treatment should be performed by a plastic surgeon. There is some risk for infection and scarring, though rare.
Chemical Injection
Botox is a toxin that relaxes the muscles by blocking nerve impulses. Since the muscles are essentially paralyzed, wrinkles relax. It can take about four days for Botox to take effect, and the results can persist for about four to six months. Even though multiple treatments are required to improve the appearance of wrinkles, each injection, reports Medical News Today, trains the muscles to stay relaxed.
Tissue Filler
A cosmetic surgeon will inject wrinkles with a substance like collagen, fat or hyaluronic acid to smooth deep wrinkles. For prominent wrinkles, this method is preferred to treatments that remove skin, like dermabrasion and laser ablation. Even though several treatments may be required, tissue filler is less likely to cause scarring compared to other invasive procedures.
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