Facial wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process, and our genetics play a role in how much our skin thins, dries, and loses elasticity over time. Other causes of facial wrinkles come from our environment and lifestyle choices, which can trigger our skin to prematurely age if we don’t take care of it properly. Fortunately for those hoping to revive their youthful appearance, there are a number of treatments that can help reduce the appearance of the fine surface lines and deep furrows associated with muscular contraction.
The Causes of Facial Wrinkles and Your Treatment Options
The stress of daily life impacts your health, including your body’s largest organ: your skin. Below we’ve reviewed a few causes of facial wrinkles and how you can reduce their appearance to rejuvenate your body and mind.
What Are the Causes of Facial Wrinkles?
- Sun Exposure: Although a tan might momentarily look good and make you feel better about your body, the long-term effects of sun exposure aren’t so lovely. If you frequently expose your skin to the sun without properly protecting it, either by applying a strong sunscreen or wearing adequate clothing, it can cause facial wrinkles, dark spots, or even skin cancer.
- Smoking: Smoking leads to premature fine lines that usually appear on the face where the skin is thinner, including the sides of the eyes and above the upper lip. Vitamin C is a key component in producing collagen fibers, which are responsible for maintaining the elasticity and appearance of healthy skin. Smoking reduces vitamin C levels in the blood by up to 60 percent.
- Poor Diet: A poor diet that includes a large amount of simple carbohydrates causes the skin’s connective tissues to become rigid and lose their elasticity. As you might guess, a diet low in protein, fruits, and vegetables can also lead to wrinkles.
- Stress: Stress increases the secretion of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which accelerate the aging process.
Signs of premature aging may stem from poor habits. The following are the most common type of wrinkles that develop on the face:
- Crow’s Feet: Located on the outer corners of the eyes, crow’s feet are caused by squinting, laughing, smiling, and frowning.
- Forehead Wrinkles: Often referred to as worry lines, forehead wrinkles stretch horizontally across the forehead.
- Frown Lines: Vertical wrinkles on the forehead between the eyebrows, frown lines are caused by frequent furrowing of the brow.
- Marionette Lines: A telltale sign of premature aging, marionette lines are long vertical lines that appear on the chin laterally.
Which Treatments Reduce Facial Wrinkles?
Wrinkles are inevitable, even if you take proactive steps to prevent them. The good news, however, is that there are safe treatment options to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. We recommend the three following treatments:
- Botox & Dysport: Botulinum toxin type A proteins, Botox and Dysport are inhibitors that prevent daily muscle movements that cause wrinkles. They are injected directly into the muscles that cause wrinkles, and they’re most commonly applied to frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead wrinkles. To decide which option is best for you, consult with a skin care professional. Both Botox and Dysport must be re-injected every three to six months.
- Sculptra®Aesthetic: A form of dermal filler, this treatment works gradually over time to restore your youthful appearance. It works by stimulating your facial skin’s natural collagen production as well as improving its structure and increasing its volume. It cannot be used in the lips or around the eyes.
- Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers are injected into wrinkles to reshape facial contours and replace lost volume. They are safe, nonsurgical, and offer immediate results that last 6–18 months. At DermaHealth, we offer several dermal fillers: Radiesse®, Restylane®, and Juvederm®.
If you’re interested in receiving an inhibitor or filler treatment to reduce the appearance of your facial wrinkles, please contact DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care Clinic. Based in Springfield, Missouri, our Med Spa is full experienced and dedicated staff would be happy to help you soften the aging process. To get started, simply give us a call at 417-447-7777 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
