Laugh lines. Crow’s feet. The elevens. We’re all familiar with these terms, also known plainly as facial wrinkles. Let’s be real. Unless you’ve discovered the fountain of youth and hence are blessed with baby skin for the rest of your life, applying lotions and potions in a bid to keep the creases at bay is de rigueur.
Not all wrinkles are created equal. Dynamic wrinkles are a result of facial muscle movements. If you raise or furrow your brows while you’re applying mascara, forehead lines will start appearing. Smokers are also prone to getting vertical lip lines, as the lips pucker when dragging on a cigarette. In the long run, repetitive facial expressions and creasing of skin, coupled with a loss of skin elasticity due to sun damage and other poor lifestyle habits, result in the progression of dynamic to static lines. These static lines are visible even when you’re not making any facial expressions.
Starting to see fine lines appearing on your face or neck? Here are the best five ways to visibly improve the appearance of facial wrinkles.
Freeze it with a Neurotoxin
Nip wrinkles—that are starting to form—in the bud with a neurotoxin. Neurotoxins work by inducing temporary muscle relaxation. Simply put, it freezes a muscle in place. Meaning, there will be reduced facial movement if a neurotoxin is injected into your forehead or between your eyebrows, hence reducing the formation of dynamic wrinkles. When picking a neurotoxin, it is beneficial in the long run to pick one with zero complexing proteins. The immune system is amazing at defending our body against foreign bacterial components. In this case, the presence of unnecessary complexing proteins increases the risk of antibody formation against the neurotoxin (the active ingredient). This is why it’s important to pick one with zero complexing proteins, as this ensures you will not develop resistance against the neurotoxin—thus enjoying its full effects over a longer period of time.
Deeply Exfoliate Skin with Microdermabrasion or a Chemical Peel
As we age, skin turnover rate slows down. Other than resulting in dull-looking skin, this causes fine lines and wrinkles to be more obvious. Kickstart a sluggish skin turnover rate by going for a microdermabrasion treatment. This involves a handheld device that physically exfoliates the skin with tiny crystals, removing dead skin cells and visibly improving the look of wrinkles, as well as hyperpigmentation or acne scars.
Chemical peels involve a chemical solution being applied to skin, and also works by “damaging” the superficial layers of skin in a controlled manner. After a peel, it’s normal for the skin to turn red and continue to be dry and flaky for the next few days. As the damaged skin peels away, smoother, line-free skin is revealed underneath.
Restore Youthful Skin With Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers
Consider injectable hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in our skin. It’s able to hold 1000 times its weight in water, and acts as a moisture magnet, keeping your skin hydrated from the inside and looking plump and youthful. When injected, it instantly fills in areas within the skin to reduce the depth of wrinkles, lines and folds.
These hyaluronic acid dermal fillers can be used to not only spot treat and fill in wrinkles at the source, but can also be used to restore volume in the face. For example, it can be injected near the cheekbones to lift the mid-face, reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds and marionette lines in the process.
Boost Skin Elasticity with a Micro-focused Ultrasound with Visualization (MFU-V) Treatment
Looking for something that’s non-invasive and with no down time? Consider a MFU-V treatment. Micro-focused ultrasound energy is delivered precisely into the skin at specific treatment depths. This stimulates the body’s natural healing process, boosting collagen production and creating a natural lifting effect over the course of two to three months, with results lasting for at least a year. Pick one that’s FDA cleared to ensure you’re getting a safe and effective treatment.
Use the Right Skincare
Last but not least, using the right skincare will help maintain the results you get from an in-clinic aesthetic treatment. Add a retinol into your nightly skincare regime. This Vitamin A derivative helps boost collagen production and encourages skin cell turnover rate, for younger-looking skin. Additionally, adding a hyaluronic acid serum into your skincare routine will keep your skin’s moisture levels balanced, dehydration (and wrinkles!) at bay and your complexion plump and radiant.
Consult a healthcare professional to find out what works best for you!
