Aging is a fact of life for all of us. As we age, everyday activities like frowning, laughing, and smiling contribute to wrinkles on the face. As you get older, your body produces less collagen, which makes the skin less elastic and bouncy. For some people, the appearance of wrinkles can shake their self-confidence. If you’re wondering how to get rid of deep wrinkles, you aren’t alone. The good news is there are a variety of non-surgical treatments that can help you look your best.
Here’s a guide to the best treatment for deep wrinkles.
What causes facial wrinkles?
Wrinkles are an unfortunate part of getting older. What causes these lines that seem to appear out of nowhere? There are a few reasons you may be seeing those pesky lines getting more pronounced year after year.
Loss of Collagen
As you get older, the body naturally experiences a loss of collagen and elastin. These are proteins that help keep your skin looking firm. As collagen and elastin diminish, skin begins to sag, and wrinkles become more pronounced.
Excessive Facial Expressions
Laughter is good for the soul, but it’s not so good for the face. As you laugh, the muscles of your face contract. Over time, these repeated facial movements cause permanent creases around the mouth and eyes.
Sun Exposure
Getting out in the sunshine can make for a fun day. However unprotected sun exposure can lead to sun-damaged skin, which can lead to visible lines and wrinkles on the face. When you’re in the sun, the body produces extra collagen to protect itself from harsh UV rays. This collagen then breaks down and damages existing collagen, leading to more pronounced lines and wrinkles.
Smoking
Smoking is bad for your health in every way. In addition to what it does to your lungs and other organs, it can also lead to deep lines and wrinkles on the face. The repetitive motion of puckering up to smoke creates lines around the mouth as well. Smoking causes blood vessels to constrict which limits the oxygen and nutrient flow to the skin. The result is often reduced blood flow and dull, dry, wrinkled skin.
Gravity
Gravity is always a factor for your skin. Over time, gravity contributes to sagging skin and wrinkles. Although there’s nothing you can do about gravity, there are a variety of wrinkle treatments to help you look your best at every age.
Effective Deep Wrinkle Treatments
You can’t stop the years from passing by, but you can fight the aging process. There are a variety of skin and wrinkle treatments available. But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for wrinkles. What works for someone else may not be right for you. It’s important to talk to your doctor or skin care expert about the best treatments for your skin.
Retinoids
Retinoids are chemicals derived from Vitamin A. They help reduce the look of lines and wrinkles and improve the skin’s texture, hydration, and pigment. You can find retinol (a type of retinoid) in a variety of over-the-counter skincare creams, lotions, and serums. For the highest concentration of retinol, you’ll need a prescription.
Retinol penetrates the skin’s layers and activates collagen and elastin. You apply retinoids to the skin just as you would a moisturizer. Retinoids can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so if you’re using a retinol product, it’s recommended you apply an SPF of 30 or more when in the sun.
Some people are sensitive to retinoids, so be sure to talk to your doctor about the right retinol products for you.
Dermal fillers have grown in popularity over the last several years. They do just what their name suggests – they fill in areas underneath the skin and reduce the look of deep wrinkles.
Collagen and elastin help give your skin structure and elasticity. But as you get older, you produce less of these proteins, leaving your skin more prone to the visible signs of aging. Smoking, drinking, and prolonged sun exposure can also lead to premature aging. If you’re longing for more youthful skin, dermal fillers may be a good option.
Fillers help plump up the skin to diminish the appearance of deep creases. There are various forms of dermal fillers to choose from, including:
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a very popular skincare ingredient. It occurs naturally in the body, keeping your skin healthy and plump. It’s the most popular option for dermal fillers. It works quickly and is good for most skin types. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles. If for some reason you’re not happy with your result, your doctor can easily dissolve the filler with a hyaluronidase injection.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a naturally occurring substance in the body. It’s found in the bones rather than the skin and offers another option for facial fillers
Poly-L-Lactic Acid
Unlike the above options (which are naturally occurring substances), this type of filler is synthetic. However, this dermal filler is still biodegradable and biocompatible.
Polymethyl methacrylate
This is another synthetic dermal filler that’s also biodegradable and biocompatible and helps fill in deep wrinkles and provide structure to the face.
Dermal fillers work quickly. You can usually go about your day right after having this treatment. The filler process only takes a few minutes and typically requires no recovery time. Talk to your doctor about whether dermal fillers are right for you.
Botox is a popular option to smooth wrinkles. It’s used for facial treatments and a variety of other health-related issues. Botox has been used for many years, and most aesthetic medicine specialists have experience administering Botox injections. It treats wrinkles by relaxing the muscles and preventing them from developing. The result is smoother skin with less defined wrinkles. The process is quick with no downtime, and results can last three to four months before you’ll need another Botox treatment.
Microneedling is a facial rejuvenation treatment that uses a device containing a series of tiny needles, which penetrate the skin to create tiny wounds in the epidermis. The skin then boosts its healing process by producing collagen and elastin, which help rejuvenate the skin and improve the look of wrinkles and fine lines.
A microneedling session generally takes about an hour. It often requires about two days of downtime to heal properly. People typically see some degree of immediate results with continued improvement over the next few months. Some swelling or redness is possible but will typically diminish within several days. Microneedling is helpful in treating a variety of conditions, including:
- Facial lines and wrinkles
- Hyperpigmentation
- Acne scars
Microneedling With PRP
If you’re interested in microneedling, you should know about microneedling with PRP. This procedure uses platelet-rich plasma to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A highly concentrated plasma derived from your blood is injected into areas of the face to smooth and soften the skin. Since the procedure uses your own blood, there’s no risk of an allergic reaction. With this treatment, you can enjoy the benefits of PRP and microneedling for younger, healthier-looking skin.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a popular treatment for combating the signs of aging. The treatment gently sands away the outer layers of the skin. It works well for treating stretch marks, scarring, sun damage, and skin discoloration. The result is often softer, smoother, younger-looking skin.
Dermabrasion
This treatment scrapes away the outer layers of the skin. The result is smoother skin and a reduced appearance of irregular skin depressions and wrinkles. Dermabrasion is a popular option for those wanting to regain more youthful-looking skin.
Laser skin resurfacing helps to reduce irregularities and wrinkles caused by acne or sun damage. This deep wrinkle treatment involves short, pulsating light beams concentrated on specific areas of the skin. Candidates for this treatment include individuals with fine lines or wrinkles around or under the eyes, mouth, or forehead, or scars from acne. Your acne must be well controlled before having laser skin resurfacing.
This treatment is better suited for those with fair skin. Individuals with darker skin tones are at higher risk for hyperpigmentation with resurfacing treatment. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, typically with a local anesthetic. It can take a few weeks to months to fully heal following facial resurfacing.
Non-ablative laser fractional resurfacing has fewer risks and a shorter healing time than the ablative technique. If you have moderate wrinkles, your doctor may recommend non-ablative laser resurfacing for more subtle results.
There are many types of chemical peels available to help combat the signs of aging. A chemical peel causes a controlled injury to the skin, which involves gently removing the upper layer of the skin and allowing it to heal for a more youthful appearance. There are light, medium, and deep peels available. Talk to a skincare specialist to ensure you’re getting the correct skincare treatments for your individual needs.
A facelift is a surgical procedure that tightens the underlying muscles and tissues of the face. It’s a common cosmetic surgery that’s performed in an outpatient surgical facility or hospital. Depending on the extent of the procedure, your surgeon may choose to administer a local anesthetic, sedation, or general anesthesia during surgery.
Healing times vary but can range from a few weeks to months following surgery. Most patients have some bruising or swelling for several weeks. Facelift results can be dramatic or more subtle and often result in healthier, younger-looking skin. The results of a facelift may last for many years but are not permanent. Some people who undergo facelifts choose to have another facelift years later. The results of face-lifts vary depending on the depth and location of your wrinkles and the skill of your plastic surgeon. If you’re considering a facelift, make sure your surgeon is board-certified and experienced in the surgical technique you choose.
If you have wrinkles in the upper part of your face, a brow lift may be a good option. This is often called a forehead lift. The procedure can dramatically improve deep wrinkles in the brow and forehead area. This is a surgical procedure, often requiring several days of downtime for recovery. A brow lift can make you look more alert and youthful with long-lasting results.
Choosing the Best Deep Wrinkle Treatment
Aging is inevitable, but you can combat the signs of aging with today’s deep wrinkle treatments. There are a variety of treatments available, but what works for one person may not work for another. Not all treatments are suitable for every skin type. If you’re interested in how to get rid of deep wrinkles, it’s important to talk to a licensed medical professional about the various procedures, like Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker.
Some wrinkle treatments are more invasive than others. Each procedure has a specific purpose and produces varying results. Discuss your skin care goals with your doctor. They will assess your skin to help determine the appropriate treatment for you. They’ll consider your medical history, skin conditions, and any other concerns before recommending a cosmetic treatment or procedure.
The Best Treatment for Deep Wrinkles
You can’t stop the passage of time, but you can fight back in the aging process. If wrinkles are holding you back from feeling good about yourself, there are options you can consider. Today’s modern cosmetic treatments are safe and effective for combating sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles of the face. If you’re looking for the best treatment for deep wrinkles, you have a variety of treatments to choose from.
At the Atlanta Face and Body Plastic Surgery Center, double board-certified Dr. Elizabeth Whitaker offers a full-service menu of non-surgical, surgical, and minimally invasive treatments to help you look your absolute best. Why wait any longer? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Whitaker today!
