Are Fine Lines and Wrinkles Inevitable?

Fine lines, wrinkles and facial creases appear to be an inevitable, albeit unwanted, part of the aging process. Are they necessary or is there a way to prevent them before they show up? The bad news is there is no “fountain of youth” that will eliminate the passage of time. The good news is there are ways to combat those aging symptoms to restore your youthful complexion and vitality.

Understanding Wrinkles

Wrinkles may develop for two reasons:

SMILING, SQUINTING OR FROWNING

The facial expressions you make regularly can lead to some of those aging symptoms, particularly lines that form across the forehead, around the eyebrows and in the outer corners of the eyes. Known as dynamic wrinkles, these creases start out making an appearance only when those expressions are made. Over time, the lines can become more deeply etched, producing undesirable aging signs that never leave you alone.

COLLAGEN DEPLETION

Collagen is a protein that provides much-needed support for the underlying dermal structure. During our youth, collagen supply is abundant, giving us the smooth, supple complexion we crave throughout our lives. Unfortunately, collagen levels drop over time, starting as early as our 20s. This depletion leads to loss of elasticity in the skin, which causes skin laxity and the formation of facial creases. Known as static wrinkles, these lines are commonly seen underneath the eyes and around the nose, mouth and chin. Diminished collagen also causes volume loss in the mid and lower face, which serves to exacerbate the aged look.

Because you can’t stop either one of these processes from occurring, there is no way to halt the progression of fine lines and wrinkles over time. However, we now have ways of reducing them once they have formed and producing a more youthful look to the skin.

OPTIONS IN WRINKLE TREATMENTS

At Carl N. Williams MD Plastic Surgery, we understand how distressing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can be. We offer a myriad of non-surgical treatment options to help you reduce telltale aging signs and restore the radiant vitality of your skin.* Treatment choices include:

INJECTABLES

Wrinkle relaxers like Botox work on dynamic wrinkles, while dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane efficiently address static wrinkles and loss of facial volume.* Botox focuses on relaxing the facial muscles that lead to the formation of wrinkles over time. Dermal fillers provide support to the dermal structure, restoring smoothness and volume to the skin while stimulating the body’s collagen production in some cases.*

Dr. Williams can use these treatments alone or in combination, depending on how much correction you need. The procedure is fast and fairly painless, producing results that extend for many months before another round of injections is required.*

LASER PROCEDURES

Injectables aren’t the only way to reduce those unwanted facial lines. Dr. Williams also offers laser treatments for this purpose. There are two different types of technology he can use, depending on the level of correction you need and the results you want to achieve:

Fraxel laser treatments are a less invasive way to stimulate the body’s healing properties and create more youthful skin over time.* This procedure uses a laser to create micro-injuries in the skin without damaging the outer dermis. The body reacts by producing additional collagen and creating cell renewal to enhance the skin naturally over time.* Fraxel treatments can minimize fine lines and wrinkles with results that last for many months.*

Laser skin resurfacing is a precise exfoliating procedure that removes outer skin layers to reveal softer, younger-looking skin underneath.* The depth of the treatment can be tailored to your specific concerns. This treatment is usually performed using a topical anesthetic and requires a couple of weeks of recovery time before you can see your full results.* However, that refreshed, revitalized skin will endure for many years after your procedure.*

RADIOFREQUENCY TREATMENTS

ThermiSmooth is a radiofrequency treatment that smooths away the early signs of aging without discomfort or downtime.* The RF energy is delivered to the underlying dermal layers, heating them and stimulating collagen production.* You will likely need a series of about three treatment sessions, and your full results will develop in the weeks and months following your procedure as collagen levels gradually increase.* Once our patients achieve the outcome they want, a touch-up session every 9-12 months will help them keep their more youthful look over the long term.*

There is no way to stop wrinkles from forming; they are an inevitable part of the aging process. However, treatments are available today to reverse those telltale signs at any stage, restoring your youthful appearance and your self-confidence.* To learn more about these popular anti-aging treatments or discover which procedure is the right one for you, contact Carl N. Williams MD Plastic Surgery at 702-259-3223.