Wrinkles

Wrinkles are skin creases, folds and surface lines that develop on the skin. In general, most wrinkles are associated with aging and the face. These skin wrinkles are often referred to as crow's feet, frown lines, worry lines and laugh lines. Some wrinkles can be classified as mild and superficial, while other wrinkles have the ability to form deep furrows or overlaps, particularly around the mouth, cheek and lip regions. These deeper wrinkles are typically classified as dynamic or static. Dynamic wrinkles appear with movement of the face, and static lines remain unchanged by facial expressions or muscle movement.

The Fitzpatrick scale of facial lines organizes wrinkles into three categories, including:

• Class I: Fine or superficial wrinkles
• Class II: Fine-to-moderately deep wrinkles and a mild number of lines
• Class III: Fine-to-deep wrinkles, numerous lines, and redundant creases or folds

 

CAUSE:

Wrinkles are caused by a number of natural progressions and lifestyle choices over the course of one's life, although aging is the predominant theme amongst all. The dermis layer, or middle layer of the skin, contains elastin, collagen and other fibrous tissues that continuously collaborate to support the structure, shape and fullness of the skin. Collagen additionally works with keratin to provide the skin with strength, flexibility, and resilience. As people age, the production of collagen decreases and skin cells loose the ability to retain texture, firmness, moisture and tone. Over time, the skin becomes more susceptible to dry spots, lines and wrinkles.

Sun exposure further adds to the onset of facial wrinkles and photo-aging. UV (ultraviolet) radiation, from both UVA and UVB rays, cause the skin to tan as melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) rush to the surface of the skin in order to protect the outer layers. UVB rays are indeed harmful and responsible for the onset of sunburn, but UVA rays are significantly longer, and are the main culprits behind wrinkles and photo-aging. UVA rays have the ability to penetrate deep into the dermis layer of the skin. The collagen and elastin responsible for keeping the skin's youthful appearance begins to malfunction over time.

Other culprits responsible for the development of wrinkles include smoking, which accelerates the skin's normal aging process, and repeated facial expressions like squinting, smiling or frowning that eventually form permanent markings and lines on the face.

TREATMENT:

Superficial or mild wrinkling can be treated with a number of topical retinoids and medical-grade wrinkle creams fortified with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Alpha-Hydroxy Acid Peels, caffeine, mushroom extract and other active antioxidants and peptides known to reduce the appearance of uneven skin textures and wrinkles.

Wrinkles can also be visibly reduced or eliminated with a number of minimally invasive and effective medical aesthetic treatments, including: Microdermabrasion, various chemical peels, Botox® and other Injectables and Dermal Fillers, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening, IPL PhotoFacials and several Laser Skin Resurfacing and Rejuvenation procedures.