Wrinkles are unwanted. This is true of everyone everywhere, whether it is admitted or not. Our society is youth-oriented and we do not want to grow old. Wrinkles and other signs of ageing are looked upon with general disfavour and we all strive to look younger than we really are. Hence we look for ways to get rid of wrinkles.
One of the ways to reduce wrinkles is laser resurfacing. Laser is used to tighten and smooth the skin’s surface in this anti wrinkle treatment. CO2 laser was used in the first complete resurfacing done but what is more commonly used now is the fractional laser method in which laser is delivered in tiny pinpoints to only a fraction of the area to be treated. This leaves healthy tissue in between ablated areas, thus reducing risk and promoting faster healing.
Dermabrasion removes the outer layer of the skin so that a newer, more youthful surface can be grown. In this anti wrinkle treatment, the surface of the skin is removed by abrasion. This is not the procedure of choice because it is very painful and requires anesthetization. It can also take several months for the skin surface to heal and regenerate after dermabrasion.
Retinoids (such as vitamin A derivatives retinol and tretinoin) are used in treating keratosis pilaris and acne vulgaris and encourage the renewal of skin cells as well as increase the collagen production of the skin. The actions of retinoids are beneficial in anti wrinkle treatment because increased collagen production and cell renewal result in a more youthful-looking skin. Certain precautions are needed when undergoing retinoid treatment, such as avoiding exposure to the sun and not using waxing to remove hair, because of its tendency to increase skin susceptibility to sun burn and induce thinning of the skin.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), beta hydroxy acids (BHA), salicylic acid, lactic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and phenol are also used to improve the texture of the skin. This kind of anti wrinkle treatment is called chemical peel. One or a suitable combination of the chemicals is applied to the skin to cause it to blister and peel off. The skin will then regenerate and the new outer layer of skin will have less wrinkles.
Surgical anti wrinkle treatment options include procedures such as face lifts and facial implants. In face lifts, excess facial skin is removed and the remaining skin is rearranged over the face and neck. Rhytidectomy is the medical term for face lift. In another surgical procedure, an artificial substance or fat taken from another part of the body is deposited under wrinkled facial skin. These facial implants plump up the skin, rendering wrinkles less prominent.
Injectable cosmetic subdermal fillers such as Restylane (hyaluronic acid) and collagen are also available. These add volume to tissues under wrinkled skin, making wrinkles less visible. Side effects from the use of hyaluronic acid and collagen are minimal because these are substances that are naturally found in the body. Another injectable cosmetic anti wrinkle treatment is Botox, which reduces the visibility of wrinkles by inhibiting movement in the muscles that cause them.
The selections mentioned above are only a portion of the options available for anti wrinkle treatment. The effectiveness of these treatments depends on individual requirements and conditions. There is a suitable treatment for each individual who wishes to hold off wrinkles and the ravages of time.
