It’s natural to notice wrinkles as you age. But did you know there are different kinds of wrinkles whose appearance can be reduced by different treatments? Here is a list of common wrinkles and the best ways to soften them:
Atrophic Wrinkles
The wrinkles that form when skin is thin and weakened are called atrophic rhytids. The weakening of the skin is caused by the diminishment over time of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid that makes the skin elastic and supple. One way to tell if wrinkles are the atrophic type is to stretch the area of skin. If the wrinkles disappear, they’re probably atrophic rhytids.
Atrophic wrinkles can be found in different areas of the body. They may appear as parallel lines on the forehead when a person furrows their eyebrows or as morning creases in the décolletage of a woman with an ample bosom. Atrophic wrinkles are best treated by dermal fillers, many of which restore hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture to the area and locks it in.
Elastic Wrinkles
These wrinkles are the result of sun damage. They are tiny wrinkles that are found on the neck, cheek and lips. Prevention is the best way to avoid the formation of these wrinkles. Our professionals as Youthful Reflections suggest wearing a sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF of at least 30 when in direct sunlight. ZO Oclipse® offers excellent products that protect skin from sun damage.
Expression Wrinkles
These familiar wrinkles are caused through years of repeated facial expressions. The skin actually develops a muscle memory, grows less supple, and the line that appears whenever a certain facial expression is made becomes permanent. This can be seen in frown lines in the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes, and smile or laugh lines around the mouth.
Botox®, a purified form of the botulinum toxin is an injectable approved by the FDA to soften the look of moderate to deep crow’s feet and frown lines in adult clients. Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscle beneath the wrinkle and causes it to smooth out. Maintenance treatments seem to “teach” the muscle to remain relaxed, so the wrinkle is never as deep as it was. Laugh lines can be corrected with dermal fillers.
Gravitation Wrinkles
As their name suggests, these wrinkles are caused by gravity, which causes skin to sag. The loss of elastin and collagen that are a result of aging and damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays also contribute to these wrinkles. They are best treated with a facelift, which removes excess tissue and tightens the skin.
Call for a Consultation at Youthful Reflections
If you’re bothered by wrinkles of whatever kind, don’t hesitate to contact our professionals at Youthful Reflections for a consultation. We are pleased to offer the treatments above to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
