Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. As the body grows older, our skin produces less collagen, leaving it less flexible and more prone to wrinkling. According to one Scientific American article, after a person reaches 20 years of age, he or she will produce 1% less skin collagen per year for the rest of his or her life. There are, however, things you can do to delay the appearance of wrinkles, and to remove wrinkles that are already there.
First, there are the things you can do to slow down and minimize the process of getting wrinkles:
- The single biggest factor that has the power to increase the amount of wrinkles you get is sun exposure. Staying out of the sun, or making sure to always use plenty of sunscreen, is the first and best step to avoiding premature wrinkles.
- The skin of smokers has been proven to age more quickly than that of non-smokers, so avoiding cigarettes is another great way to avoid extra wrinkles.
- Wearing eyeglasses, if you need them, can help you avoid squinting, and the “crow’s feet” wrinkle pattern in the corners of the eyes that forms from too much squinting.
- Finally, moisturizing appropriately will help to keep your skin healthier and more flexible for longer.
If you already have wrinkles that you’d like to address, nonsurgical procedures offer one effective solution to the problem. BOTOX® Cosmetic injection treatments have helped many patients look years younger, without the need of a surgical procedure. You can receive this simple and effective treatment in just one visit, and should begin to see the results a few days after. Following a treatment session, you will be able to enjoy smooth, younger looking skin for up to four months.
Aside from BOTOX®, tissue fillers can be used to enhance lips and cheekbones, and to reduce wrinkles in certain other areas. Tissue fillers take minutes to inject and the results can last for months or even years, depending on the type of filler you choose and how your body responds to it.
If you have wrinkles in several places that you want to address at the same time, a face lift procedure is an option you may want to consider. A face lift pulls back the skin on your face, smoothing the loose skin on your face and neck, tightening underlying tissues, and removing excess fat if necessary. As a result, your face will appear firmer and more youthful. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will have access to the latest tools and techniques, and your results should look subtle and natural.
Take a look at the Before & After section of our website for some great examples of our face lift procedures. And, reach out to St. Charles Plastic Surgery today to set up a consultation and start working on eliminating those unwanted wrinkles.
