The dreaded wrinkle. Everyone fears the day they look in the mirror and spot the first facial crease. These tiny etchings in the facial tissue are a tell-tale sign of the aging process. No matter how old you are, just a couple fine lines and wrinkles can give away your age, and even add a few “extra” years onto the appearance.
So, what really causes wrinkles? Is it stress? Not drinking enough water? If you understand where wrinkles come from, you have the power to stop many of these frustrating lines from forming. In the case of the unavoidable wrinkle, learning the solutions best suited for fine lines can help you eliminate these pesky crinkles, restoring a youthful appearance.
Wrinkle Reason #1: Sun Damage
The Problem: The sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate the skin’s surface, breaking down collagen and elastin. These collagen stores are vital in creating a strong foundation for the skin, giving tissues a plump, tight appearance. Without collagen, the skin becomes lax and sags. Unfortunately, UV rays are impossible to avoid every time we go outside, drive, or even simply sit by the window, not to mention trips to the beach or the tanning salon.
The Solution: Women should wear a high SPF sunscreen everyday – at all times – even on the way to the office or working at home. Cover up when outside for long periods of time with a large brim hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves. Avoid tanning beds altogether. Also, talk to your plastic surgeon about the high quality, physician-grade products available that can help to prevent and reverse sun damage.
Wrinkle Reason #2: Aging
The Problem: It’s a fact: wrinkles accompany the aging process. Once a woman hits the 40-year mark, her body will be dramatically reducing its normal production of collagen and elastin. This means that even the healthiest skin will lose volume, becomes less firm, and sink on the face. The natural loss of fat that occurs about this same time, coupled with additional factors such as illness, weight fluctuations, and smoking, only exacerbate these changes.
The Solution: While there is no way to stop the aging process, you can be proactive with the innovative products and techniques available at your plastic surgeon’s office. These can restore lost volume and boost the body’s own production of collagen. Fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, will plump the skin while kick-starting new cell production for long-term improvements. Frequent hydrating facials and products with hyaluronic acid can keep the skin looking plump and smooth.
Wrinkle Reason #3: Expressions
The Problem: Every time you use the muscles in your face, the skin will move and scrunch. Over many years, these repetitive movements can begin to leave grooves or creases in the skin. When you are young, the plethora of collagen and elastin ensures skin will bounce back, but as these diminish, the wrinkles from laughing, frowning, and smiling are suddenly here to stay.
The Solution: Avoiding facial expressions is unrealistic. However, utilizing a muscle-relaxing injectable such as Botox Cosmetic can actually help do just that. As Botox eases the targeted muscle, the associated dynamic wrinkle will go away for up to three months. Botox is not only great at erasing wrinkles in the short-term; as muscle movement decreases, the injectable helps to prevent deeper wrinkles from forming.
To learn more about the unavoidable world of wrinkles, contact Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique at 281.810.9083. Our award winning aesthetic staff can help you determine the cause of your wrinkles, as well as the best method for restoring a smooth, natural-looking appearance.