Aging is inevitable, and so are wrinkles. As you grow older, collagen production slows and skin becomes less firm. Lines can appear in your skin, most notably on your face. Some people may choose to embrace these signs of aging, while others wish they would disappear. There are a handful of options on the market today for getting rid of wrinkles. There is no shame in wanting to look younger. Investing in one of these options can help you look and feel youthful if that is a goal for you. No matter what skin type you have, there is a treatment out there for you.
What Are Wrinkles?
Wrinkles typically appear on the parts of the body that get a lot of sun exposure. They can be fine surface lines or deeper furrows, depending on the area of the body. Wrinkles are most commonly found on the face, neck, backs of hands, and tops of forearms. As you age, your skin becomes more fragile and less elastic. Natural oil production decreases, meaning your skin can dry out and appear more wrinkled. The network of support under the skin diminishes which leads to the downward effect of features working with gravity.
There are two different types of wrinkles: dynamic and static. Dynamic wrinkles are the ones that appear when you make repetitive facial movements, such as squinting or smiling. These dynamic wrinkles usually fade right after you change your facial expression. Some people relate dynamic wrinkles to folding a piece of paper over and over. The fold will get deeper, and a crease will develop if it is folded repeatedly. By contrast, static wrinkles stay on your face at all times. They are not affected by muscle movements but rather can develop and worsen due to external factors. As you grow older, dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles.
What Causes Wrinkles?
Wrinkles are formed due to a variety of factors, like age, genetics, and sun exposure. Minimizing your time under the sun and wearing sunscreen every day can significantly affect wrinkle control. Without sunscreen, exposure to UV light breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers, known as the connective tissue, that lie in the deeper layers of skin. This breakdown then causes the skin to wrinkle and sag prematurely. Smoking can also cause premature aging, even wrinkles. Along with wearing sunscreen and avoiding smoking, regularly moisturizing your skin will help with wrinkles’ appearance. Overall, there are a variety of factors that can promote wrinkling, some controllable and some uncontrollable, such as:
Smoking
Sun exposure
Skin type (those with light-colored skin and blue eyes are more susceptible to sun damage)
Heredity (some families wrinkle more)
Aging
Repeated facial expressions (smiling, frowning, scowling, squinting)
Common Wrinkle Locations
You may already be familiar with some of the common locations on the body where wrinkles form. The most common ones are all on the face because it is one part of the body that is almost always exposed to the sun. These four wrinkle types are the most well-known because they are visible and form in areas that are prone to wrinkling, no matter who you are. Many people see wrinkles as a sign of sincerity; they are associated with joy and genuine expression. People react positively to someone who looks happy.
Crow’s-Feet
Crow’s-feet are typically the first signs of aging you may notice. They form at the edges of your eyes, from sun damage and smiling. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on the body, so it is no surprise that this kind of wrinkle forms here. Crow’s-feet are not bad, wrinkles are not bad.
The Elevens
The elevens, or glabellar lines, are one of the most prime examples of dynamic wrinkles. They are located between your eyebrows, taking the shape of two vertical lines that look like the number they are named after. Elevens form from repeated brow furrowing.
Laugh Lines
Laugh lines are not only caused by laughing, which you might be led to believe, thanks to their name. Their official term is nasolabial folds, and they appear in the form of creases that extend from the nose to the outer corners of the mouth. Laughing does aid in their formation, but so does the diminishing of the support network and loosening of tendons and ligaments below the skin.
Forehead Lines
Horizontal lines across your forehead are typically just referred to as forehead wrinkles or lines. You are more likely to notice these if you raise your eyebrows repeatedly. Forgoing sunscreen and certain genetic factors can make these lines more profound or more numerous.
Methods of Wrinkle Reduction
There are a variety of at-home and in-office treatments for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Wrinkles cannot necessarily be reversed, but they can be diminished with the right products or treatment. Consulting with a team of skincare experts is the best way to start any wrinkle reduction journey so that you can get the best results using the proper methods. A few standard forms of wrinkle reduction you can explore include stimulating collagen production through laser wrinkle reduction, neurotoxins, and fillers.
Laser Wrinkle Reduction
Many Medspas offer laser wrinkle reduction, which stimulates collagen production in areas prone to wrinkling. At Mill City Laser, we provide a comfortable and relaxing experience for any customer who wants to diminish wrinkles' visibility. One of the reasons we love laser treatments for wrinkle reduction is that we use heat energy to stimulate a natural body process, rather than adding a chemical to the body. Our state-of-the-art laser technology uses a specific light frequency to heat the skin tissue gently. As the skin absorbs this heat, natural collagen production is stimulated. This renewed collagen brings a fresh elasticity and vitality to your skin and can reduce wrinkles' appearance over time. Our caring and dedicated technicians will help you find a plan to work towards your skin care goals. Common treatment areas include:
Cheeks
Sides of Eyes
Mouth (laugh lines)
Forehead
Neck
Chest
Neurotoxins
The most well-known neurotoxin that you have probably heard of is botox. Neurotoxins are injected and relax the muscles under the skin. They temporarily stop the muscle contractions that cause dynamic wrinkles. Neurotoxins take three to seven days to see the full effect, often temporarily freezing your face from making certain expressions after treatment. Depending on where you get the injection, the results can last three to four months.
Fillers
Fillers are another type of injection that can reduce wrinkle appearance. They are typically a soft, gel-like substance that’s injected into the skin or just underneath it. Hyaluronic acid fillers are most commonly used now and offer results that can last up to two years. Fillers are commonly used to smooth under-eye circles, lift cheekbones, and even out nasolabial folds (laugh lines).
Anti-Aging Treatments
Wrinkles come with age and if you find yourself wishing some of those lines would be more diminished, then it may be time to consider treatment. Wrinkles are not the only sign of aging that you may want to treat. Other anti-aging treatments can get rid of dark spots, sun spots, and reduce redness. Seeking treatment from a supportive team of expert technicians is your safest bet and you will be delighted by the comfort and care you receive with us at Mill City Laser.