Wrinkle Care

Wrinkles don’t involve any health concerns, and any reason to get treated is purely cosmetic. However, wrinkles may have an effect on the psychological well being of a person. Loss of self esteem and confidence can be just one effect of an appearance that‘s marred by wrinkles.

Topical Treatments Ideally Suited for Fine Wrinkles

Topical creams and ointments containing retinoic acid can benefit the skin. These acids include retinoid or AHAs (Alpha hydroxyl acids) that acids peel off the uppermost layer of the skin, revealing fresh skin underneath.

Chemical peels involve applying other beneficial acids including salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids, which help to remove the upper most wrinkled layer of the skin.

A more intensive procedure is dermabrasion. In this procedure, the topmost layer of the skin is scraped away. For more severe wrinkles, an injection of collagen or fat under the skin can help restore the depleting reserves of the collagen, giving the skin back its earlier springy, supple quality.

Other treatments include laser surgery that uses lasers to remove layers of skin. Such surgery is especially beneficial for wrinkles under the eyes and crow‘s feet. Over the past decade, treatments that include the use of botulinum toxin have been found beneficial for the erasing of wrinkles around the eyebrows and the eyes. This toxin is essentially a paralytic agent. When injected into the muscle, botulinum paralyses the muscle, preventing it from moving when the person makes facial expressions, like smiling or laughing. As the muscle continues to remain unused, the wrinkles eventually disappear.

Studies have indicated high levels of psychological benefits in women with severe photoageing or other kinds of skin damage, after using anti wrinkle treatments. In one study, women who suffered high anxiety levels and had photo damaged skin, received topical retin A treatments for two years. After the treatment, the women, who saw a significant improvement in their skin, also reported lowered levels of anxiety.

There is a variety of skin treatments available, ranging from simple topical treatments to cosmetic surgery. Before making the decision in favor of any treatment, you must consider a number of factors, and discuss these with your dermatologist.

• Ask your dermatologist if the procedure has been proved to reduce wrinkles safely and effectively.
• Ask him how safe the procedure is.
• Ask him if there are any possible complications or side effects from the procedure.
• Enquire about the recovery period after the treatment.
• Ask how long the benefits are expected to last.
• Ask about the skills of the dermatologist, his qualifications, his experience and the kind of results he has seen performing the procedure on patients. Some dermatologists may have higher success results, using a particular procedure.

Besides, you must also consider your age while choosing a procedure. For instance, a basic chemical peel may be enough to rejuvenate the skin for people between the age of 30 and 40. Persons aged between 40 and 50 may see improved results from fat or collagen injections or implants. Generally, persons aged above 50 may need more intensive treatment like laser treatment and cosmetic surgery, depending on their requirements.

Because each person’s skin is so unique and because each person has his or her own unique genetic history, lifestyle and skin structure, a dermatologist may use a combination of more than one procedure to treat wrinkles. For instance, a person may suffer from deep furrows around the mouth, and lighter wrinkles on the rest of the face. In such cases, a single treatment all over the face, may not suffice. A dermatologist may therefore suggest laser resurfacing to treat the deep furrows, while the rest of the face may be treated with a chemical peel. In case of drooping eyelids, fine lines around the eyes and a sagging brow, a dermatologist may suggest a combination of botulinum toxin injections, laser resurfacing as well as eyelid surgery to lift the drooping eyelid.

All these treatments will result in the elimination of the old skin and resurfacing of healthy fresh skin cells. These treatments accelerate the skin‘s regenerative powers by eliminating older, damaged cells, and allowing newer cells to emerge to the surface. Because of this, you will begin to see benefits that cover a range of skin problems. Pore sizes are minimized, and the skin loses its rough texture. These treatments restore vitality and even color to the skin, and fine lines disappear. The skin regains its tone.

Not all treatments work in the same manner, and the kind of results you see from one procedure may be different from the results of another procedure. Also, these treatments may not solve all types of skin problems. In addition, each treatment has its own benefits and disadvantages. For instance, laser resurfacing or cosmetic surgery may be very effective on erasing deeper wrinkles. But they have longer recovery periods, and can be more expensive. The ideal treatment involves a combination of two or more treatments, depending on the size, depth, severity of the wrinkles, age of the person, lifestyle and other factors.