If you’re like most people, you are probably looking for a way to deal with your fine lines and wrinkles without surgery. With so many options available, it can be difficult to find the best route for yourself. What is the right balance of cost effectiveness and convenience? How will this affect my lifestyle? And what about safety? The answer may not always be clear cut but by exploring all of your options carefully, you should have an idea which option is best for you.
What Causes Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
The leading cause of fine lines and wrinkles is the natural aging process. As we get older, our skin begins to lose some of its elasticity. The collagen and elastin that give our skin its firmness, strength, and flexibility starts to break down slowly but surely. This loss of tone can eventually lead to more noticeable wrinkles in both the face and body.
What Triggers the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
Aside from aging, several factors can trigger the appearance of more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles. These include:
Sun Exposure
UV exposure causes damage to the skin’s surface and reduces cells’ ability to protect itself against more damage. The breakdown of collagen and elastin is further amplified by exposure to sunlight.
Stress
Stress triggers the release of cortisol in our bodies which leads to increased inflammation not only on a cellular level but also within facial tissues. This leads to accelerated sagging and loss of tone in all layers of skin including the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue.
Smoking
Smokers tend to have weaker blood vessels that result in slower healing time for cuts and bruises as well as an overall duller complexion.
Environmental Factors
Environmental pollutants such as cigarette smoke, formaldehyde and certain airborne irritants can damage the skin’s surface just like UV radiation. This further triggers our bodies’ aging process.
Medical Conditions
Patients who suffer from conditions such as diabetes also experience accelerated sagging in facial tissues which may result in the formation of more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles at an earlier age than usual.
How Do I Start Treating My Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
If you are concerned about premature fine lines and wrinkles resulting from any of the above factors, there are non-invasive treatments that are available: \
BTX Treatments
BTX treatments are one of the most widely utilized treatments for fine lines and wrinkles. A BTX injection works by blocking nerve impulses to the facial muscles. This prevents them from contracting which has a softening effect on fine lines and wrinkles in the process. It works by injecting small amounts of BTX-A (Botulinum Toxin Type A) near the nerve endings in the face. This immediately relaxes facial muscles so they do not contract or move which results in smoother, more natural facial contours over time. The effects last anywhere from 3 to 9 months depending on patient feedback and severity of wrinkles.
Laser Treatments
Laser resurfacing involves directing highly targeted beams of energy at specific areas of the face to remove damaged tissue layers without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. This results in an overall rejuvenated appearance that often includes a reduction or elimination of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers work by adding volume and suppleness back into skin cells through injections that can be used either deep within affected tissues or superficially. They work by bolstering the skin’s own structure to reduce and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Fillers are usually made from hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in our bodies.
Which Treatment is Right for Me?
Your treatment options may be limited based on the severity of your fine lines and wrinkles as well as your desired results. For example, if you have a lot of pronounced lines that need filling, laser resurfacing should be your first choice because it works best with deep creases. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more of a surface effect to reduce fine lines and wrinkles without completely eliminating them, dermal fillers would be your best option. Whatever treatment you choose though, plan on starting treatments at a young age because once your skin starts sagging drastically as a result of aging or pre-maturely as a result of any number of factors mentioned above it will be much more difficult for those treatments to have the desired effects.
In addition to being careful about protecting yourself from potentially damaging environmental factors as well as taking proactive steps such as incorporating an anti-aging regimen into your daily skincare routine , using sunscreen throughout your lifetime – including before puberty – can help keep future signs of aging at bay.