Wrinkles are a natural part of the ageing process. As people get older, their skin becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic, which means it is less able to protect itself from damage. This leads to wrinkles, creases, and lines on the skin.
Facial expressions, such as smiling, frowning, or squinting, lead to the development of fine lines and wrinkles at a young age. These lines deepen as the person gets older.
When a person is young, their skin springs back. As they get older, the skin loses its flexibility, and it becomes more difficult for the skin to spring back, resulting in permanent grooves.
Dynamic wrinkles
The muscle attachments on our face are unique as they are attached to the skin, unlike in other body parts. When you move your facial muscles, i.e. when the muscles contract, the skin moves with it. For example, frowning causes the lines between the eyebrows. Similarly, smiling causes the lines around the eyes (crow's feet). When you stop the movement, the muscles relax causing relaxation of the overlying skin. Your face reverts back to its resting state. These are called 'dynamic' wrinkles because they are brought on by intentional movement.
Can Botox treat these wrinkles?
The good new is yes! Dynamic wrinkles respond very well to Botox. Botox (which is the well-known brand of botulinum toxin A) is injected in the muscles that are causing the wrinkles, which causes them to relax. This allows the overlying skin to recover and the lines to soften, and eventually disappear. This is only a temporary treatment however, and muscle movement will gradually begin to return around the 10-12 week mark.
Botox can be used as a preventative treatment to keep wrinkles at bay in people under the age of 30, or to reverse changes in more aged skin. If the wrinkles are deep and long-standing however, they may not fully disappear.
If you desire Botox treatment without looking 'frozen' then this can be achieved using tailored doses for your muscle activity. Here at Dr Kathryn Hogg Aesthetics, we will thoroughly assess your muscle dynamics and skin quality to ensure the most suitable doses are injected for you. This is all part of the complimentary consultation you will receive.
How do wrinkles progress with age?
Over time, dynamic wrinkles can become deeper and more resistant to resolution. They remain visible when the underlying muscles are not contracted - these are called 'static lines'. The longer they have been present, the longer they take to resolve, and the very deep lines will probably not resolve completely. Skin quality plays a part in this, and some factors are in your control, while others aren't. It is affected by environmental and lifestyle factors, for example sun exposure, air pollution, smoking, stress, and nutrition.
How else can I improve static wrinkles?
Static lines or wrinkles can be improved with a variety of techniques, some focusing on improving skin quality, and some focusing more on treating the actual wrinkle.
Medical-grade skincare
Also known as cosmeceutical skincare, medical-grade skincare is targeted to specific medical conditions and needs, such as acne or wrinkles. The concentration of active ingredients is generally greater than what you can find over the counter, and they have been tested to be highly effective on the skin, hence there are greater results with such skincare. Many of them also use more involved mechanisms of absorption to enhance delivery to deeper areas of skin.
Medical skin peels
Skin peels are a form of chemical exfoliation, and can be used in various strengths. At Dr Kathryn Hogg Aesthetics we offer a range of peels for different needs and skin types, They work by stimulating skin cell turnover to produce new skin cells quicker, and reduce the more aged surface layers of skin. This in turn reduces fine lines and wrinkles, evens skin tone and age spots, and keeps pores clear.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure which involves tiny needles to puncture the top layer of your skin. The damage helps stimulate the skin's healing process, so it produces more collagen and elastin. This in turn helps to keep your skin smooth and firm.
Skinboosters
This involves injecting small amounts of hyaluronic acid (the skin's natural moisturising substance) into the top layers of skin, along with nourishing vitamins, amino acids, and anti-oxidants. This revitalises the skin, causing it to be more moisturised and plump, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are pure hyaluronic acid which is in a gel consistency, and is injected into the line, or around the surrounding area to either fill the line, or to support the surrounding structures. The gel attracts water and so adds volume and plumps the skin. It also stimulates your own collagen production in the area it is injected, and so can therefore have long-lasting beneficial effects.
"Its never too early or too late to have great skin." – Dr Zein Obagi
Say goodbye to wrinkles!
If you would like to know more about how we can help you, book in for a complimentary consultation at www.drkathrynhogg.com, based in Broughton Gifford, near Melksham, Wiltshire.
Remember - ageing is a fact of life, looking your age is not! Dr K x