Wrinkles Call for A Variety of Cosmetic Treatments
Wrinkles: eventually, we will all develop them. Most of us think of wrinkles as a function of aging, and while that’s certainly true, it’s only one aspect of the story. Wrinkles are caused by a few different phenomena, and choosing the best treatment for them depends not only on their severity and location, but also their causes. Fortunately, surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures offer a variety of effective treatments for wrinkles that can take their causes into account. Here are some of the main causes of wrinkles that we at Atlanta Plastic Surgery have targeted, customized approaches to treating:
Facial Movement
The human face has about 43 individual muscles, each working around the clock to portray a wide range of emotions, assist in communication, and perform the many movements necessary for us to live. The face is constantly moving. When we’re young, this isn’t much of a problem; the elasticity of youthful skin allows it to spring back into place, making wrinkles temporary creases for people below a certain age. This is because young skin is rich in proteins called collagen and elastin. Throughout life, however, the production of these vital proteins slows down, weakening the skin’s support structure. This makes the skin progressively inflexible and leads to permanent wrinkles. Botox® injectables are among the most effective treatments for wrinkles caused by facial movement in the upper third of the face. This popular nonsurgical treatment temporarily relaxes the face’s underlying muscles, smoothing out expression lines and making it appear healthier and more youthful.
Sunlight Exposure
The sun may be an essential component of life, but it can also exemplify the “too much of a good thing” adage. In fact, too much sun exposure can be life threatening. We all know that the ultraviolet light emitted by the sun can cause acute, temporary aesthetic damage in the form of sunburns, but prolonged, unprotected exposure also leads to long-term cosmetic damage. This may mean discoloration due to abnormal cell division, decreased skin elasticity due to the accelerated deterioration of collagen in the skin, or both. Surface damage to the skin can often be treated with nonsurgical treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and Sciton® laser skin resurfacing, which remove dead and damaged skin cells, giving the skin a more refreshed and youthful appearance. They also stimulate the production of collagen and the skin’s natural healing factors, potentially reducing the appearance of minor facial wrinkles, scarring, and other types of skin damage.
Weight Fluctuations
Whether they’re brought on by pregnancy, genetics, or lifestyle, weight fluctuations can do a lot of damage to the skin. Often, when someone loses a significant amount of weight, their skin doesn’t completely snap back into place. This can leave behind loose, sagging folds of skin, including in the face and many other areas of the body. Deep wrinkles, sunken-in cheeks, and hanging jowls below the chin are some of the cosmetic effects of weight fluctuations we see most frequently in patients’ faces. Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and other facial filler injections serve to restore facial volume using hyaluronic acid, a substance which occurs naturally in young, healthy skin. They fill in the depressions that form as the face loses its plump, healthy appearance, giving it a more youthful look and lessening the appearance of wrinkles.
These are just a few of the causes of and nonsurgical treatments for wrinkles. Sometimes, no matter the cause, a more comprehensive procedure like a facelift is necessary. At Atlanta Plastic Surgery, we offer a multitude of procedures to treat the wide range of wrinkles and other signs of aging. If you’re interested in learning what the best anti-aging treatment is for you, or if you’re curious about any of the many other cosmetic procedures we perform, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery offices to schedule a consultation today. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news and updates.
