Wrinkles are one of the first things that come to mind when people think about ageing. We all know that as we age, our skin will become more delicate and form wrinkles. Almost everyone will develop wrinkles to one extent or another. This is a natural and normal part of getting older.
Nevertheless, not everyone wants to resign themselves to this fate. That’s why there’s a wide range of procedures at your disposal that can help combat those unwanted wrinkles. But first, there’s a couple of basic facts you need to understand about wrinkles to help you tackle them better.
Why do we get Wrinkles?
There's not a magic age when everyone suddenly gets wrinkles. Some women are wrinkle-free until menopause comes along. Some people develop fine lines around their eyes ("crow's feet") in their 20s from squinting too much. In short, there are many reasons why the skin wrinkles (other than ageing).
Some common causes of wrinkles are:
Genetics
Not everyone experiences the effects of ageing at the same pace. Your genes largely determine your overall skin structure and texture. In turn, this plays a significant role in how quickly you develop wrinkles. For example, people with thicker dermis are naturally less prone to wrinkles.
It’s important to note that the general understanding of the complex relationship between genetics and ageing is still at a rudimentary stage.
However, if some of your older relatives have shown a pattern of forming wrinkles at an early age, you should start taking anti-wrinkle precautions as early as possible.
Smoking
It should be no surprise by now that smoking is unhealthy, but did you know that cigarettes are really awful for your skin. Smoking significantly reduces blood flow to the skin, reducing the supply of nutrients and oxygen that the skin needs to repair and regenerate itself. Smoking is also the main culprit behind a specific type of facial wrinkle known as smoker’s lines.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
Free radicals are molecules that set off harmful chain reactions within the body. For example, they can create cross-links between fats and proteins in the skin, damaging your skin's collagen and elastin.
Without strong connective tissues, the skin becomes weak and begins to sag. Free radicals in the body are increased by excessive exposure to UV light and environmental pollutants. That’s why wrinkles tend to appear on the face and neck, back of the hands, and arms- areas most exposed to the elements.
Not all wrinkles are the same—wrinkles fall into two classes: dynamic and static. To find out the most appropriate treatment for your facial wrinkles, you must be able to differentiate them.
What are Dynamic Wrinkles?
In our recent post, Understanding how Preventive Botox works, we talked about dynamic wrinkles. Have you ever noticed the lines that appear on your face when you are making specific movements or expressions?
You see, every time you form facial expressions (smile, frown, squint, furrow your brow etc.), or engage in a habitual movement like drinking from a straw, a groove forms beneath the skin’s surface.
These repetitive movements create facial creases such as forehead lines, 11s, crow’s feet, bunny lines and lipstick lines—collectively known as dynamic wrinkles. These lines are only visible when the underlying facial muscles are contracted and disappear when the muscle relaxes.
This is because the collagen and elastin in our skin allow it to return quickly to its original state. However, the factors we mentioned above, such as sun exposure, can affect the skin’s ability to bounce back easily.
How to get rid of dynamic wrinkles?
Because dynamic wrinkles are caused by muscle contraction, the most appropriate way to minimise them would be to reduce the muscle action that generates them. As a result, the ever-popular Botox wrinkle-relaxing treatment is a great way to reduce the appearance of dynamic lines.
When Botox is injected into the targeted area, it blocks signals from the nerve cells to the muscles, in essence, temporarily paralyses the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles. This causes the skin to relax. The end result is a much smoother, youthful appearance with less prominent dynamic wrinkles. Learn more about our Botox treatments here.
What are Static Wrinkles?
Static wrinkles have a bad reputation because of their strong visibility and the fact that they never go away. They are always there, hence the term "static." Examples of static wrinkles are tear troughs (below the eyes), marionette lines (between the mouth and the chin) and laugh lines.
These lines start small, but they deepen and permanently etch themselves on your skin over the years. Facial lines that began as dynamic wrinkles can, over time, turn into static wrinkles.
In most cases, static wrinkles occur from the loss of elastin and collagen. Collagen makes up 75 per cent of skin's support structure, while elastin provides elasticity and resilience to skin tissues. Studies show that collagen production starts slowing around age 25-30 and decreases 1% every year after that.
Combine this natural drop with the external factors such as sun exposure and smoking that accelerate collagen loss in our bodies even further, and it is a recipe for static wrinkles.
How to get rid of static wrinkles?
Static wrinkles often cause people to feel self-conscious about their appearance.
If you're worried that your wrinkles are becoming more and more visible and permanent as you age, dermal fillers can help diminish their appearance.
The dermal fillers we use here @DrAesthetica are made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the skin that delivers nutrients, adds volume and helps the skin retain moisture.
When HA filler is injected into the skin, it absorbs water like a sponge and fills out the wrinkles while plumping up the skin, making it appear more rejuvenated and smoother. You can expect the effects to last lasting 6 to 12 months as the body gradually breaks down and absorbs the filler. Learn more about our dermal filler treatment here.
Another fantastic option for tackling static wrinkles is medical-grade skincare products. These contain a high concentration of active ingredients. As a result, they can only be dispensed by medical professionals trained to evaluate whether that concentration is appropriate for each client.
Medical grade skincare products are can reach and correct problems in deeper layers of the skin much better than OTC products.
At Dr Aesthetica, we advocate for AlumierMD due to their first-rate skincare product line and ethical standards. Their wide range of products— which we can tailor to your unique needs—are free from parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, mineral oils and dyes. The skincare brand also doesn’t engage in any animal testing.
You can shop at our online AlumierMD shop or contact us for a custom-tailored treatment plan.
Professional Quality Matters
If you’re considering one of these static or dynamic wrinkle treatments, it’s vital to consult with experienced professionals like Dr Farmah. Want to know more? You can read: How to Choose the Right Doctor for Your Filler/Botox:5 Important Factors To Consider. You can also check out our Botox and Dermal Fillers treatment guides, which are full of helpful information.
At Dr Aesthetica, we offer a truly personal and bespoke service to our clients. Our skincare specialists Dr Farmah and Kiran, will be with you at every step of your journey as they perform all assessments, treatments and follow-ups themselves.
We will be privileged to help you address any of your skin concerns from unwanted wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sagging jowls and much more.
