Aging is inevitable, but wrinkles are not. These small wrinkles along our foreheads or at the corners of our eyes or between the nose and lips are a natural component and can appear as early as our 20s. Dr. Ameesha Mahajan from RM Aesthetics offers us a complete guide to treating wrinkles.
Wrinkles are the lines, folds, and creases that form in the skin. With age, the skin becomes less elastic and more prone to wrinkles. The sagging becomes more and more noticeable, especially around the mouth, and you may also notice hollowness around the eyes. Wrinkles are divided into two different categories – dynamic and static. Dynamic wrinkles are the lines that appear during facial movements such as smiling or frowning. If left untreated over time, these dynamic wrinkles turn into static wrinkles, that is, lines that appear even without movement. They are like permanent wrinkles on the skin and are difficult to treat.
A number of birthdays behind you, prolonged sun exposure, and years of smoking or even secondhand smoke are some of the most common reasons for wrinkles.
Sun protection UV rays are a major cause of premature wrinkles. Hence, the importance of using sunscreen can never be overstated. It’s the ultimate secret to maintaining youthful skin. It should be used at least 2-3 times a day.
Retinoid Retinoids are the gold standard for reducing wrinkles. They are vitamin A derivatives that stimulate cell turnover and increase collagen production, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles. They should only be used at night and in the morning in combination with sunscreen.
Antioxidants Singing antioxidant serums like a vitamin C serum is a great idea for slowing down aging. It can be used at night or in the morning before sunscreen. Adding foods that are high in antioxidants is another great way to combat free radical damage to the body and skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid increase cell turnover and promote collagen production, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines over time.
Clinical treatments for wrinkles
The treatments below are performed by dermatologists in skin clinics that can slow the aging process and reduce the appearance of wrinkles:
Botox It is one of the most popular wrinkle reduction treatments. And it doesn’t make you look unnatural. It is injected into specific muscles under the skin. Then it relaxes and prevents the skin from wrinkling into those lines and wrinkles, thereby eliminating wrinkles. The results are displayed within a few days and can easily last for 4 to 6 months.
Hyaluronic acid fillers- A filler is a soft gel made from hyaluronic acid that can be injected into the skin or deeper tissues. Depending on where they are injected and what type of filler is used, they can plump the skin or structurally support sagging tissues to restore youthfulness. The results can easily last a year or more.
laser Lasers help stimulate collagen and lead to a reduction in lines, improvement in the appearance of pores, dark spots, texture, and overall skin tone. The skin may be slightly red after the procedure, but not so bad that you cannot go back to work right away.
Micro-needling Microneedling uses tiny needles to directly stimulate collagen production in the skin. This can be done with the help of a microneedle pen or a derma roller. Usually a mixture of botox, fillers, and antioxidant serums are used to make the skin more hydrated and plumped.
Skin enhancer Skin enhancers are hyaluronic acid gels that are deposited in the skin to make the skin more elastic. It also reduces the open pores.
Thread lift Thread lifts provide a more dramatic lift than fully non-invasive options without a full surgical face lift.
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) – If you are looking for a stronger tightening effect without needles or lasers, HIFU might be the one for you. HIFU is a non-invasive skin tightening procedure that uses targeted ultrasound energy to lift the skin by gently warming the tissue and stimulating the body’s collagen formation process.
Facelift The surgical face lift is designed to relieve the sagging of the lower face and neck. When the skin becomes saggy and the underlying fat and muscles are damaged, it leads to sagging cheeks and a diminished jaw line. A face lift can correct these signs of aging and subtly reduce the appearance of nasolabial wrinkles.
Also read: 7 tips to keep your eyes healthy, hydrated and reduce your risk of disease
