How to Reduce Wrinkles After They’ve Appeared
Aging is a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean anyone looks forward to acquiring wrinkles. But while there’s no way to completely prevent the formation of wrinkles and lines, there are several ways to lessen their appearance and maintain more youthful skin. Let’s go over different methods for reducing wrinkles after they’ve shown up on your skin.
How to Reduce Wrinkles
Cosmetic Dermatology Therapies
If you’re worried about signs of aging, your dermatologist should be the first person you call. During your consultation, your doctor might recommend a number of skin therapies that can help reduce the appearance of your wrinkles among other unwanted features like scars and hyperpigmentation. Chemical peels are among the most common skin therapies for wrinkle reduction, removing the skin’s uppermost layers via acids (e.g., glycolic, salicylic, etc.) to stimulate new skin cell growth. A cleansing, moisturizing facial can remove skin impurities and reduce stress to help smooth out wrinkles. And microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and thermal/radiofrequency skin therapies all aim to promote collagen production by gently wounding the skin in targeted areas. While these various skin therapies can prove effective in reducing wrinkles, they can also irritate the skin and may not be for everyone, so it’s important to discuss these options in depth with your dermatology provider.
Skin Injections
For more potent, speedy (but temporary) wrinkle reduction, you might consider cosmetic injections like dermal fillers (e.g., Perlane, Juvederm, Restylane) or Botox. Dermal fillers are acidic or protein-based substances that are injected into specific portions of the skin to provide additional volume where it may be lacking. These fillers can be effective and deliver natural-looking results when administered by an experienced provider, but they tend to lose their effects after 6-18 months, so recurring treatments are usually required. Botox is also an injection, but rather than plump up your skin, these injections paralyze parts of your face to prevent wrinkles from deepening.
Retinoids
If you want to reduce your wrinkles but don’t want to undergo the procedures mentioned here so far, ask your dermatologist about retinoids. Retinol (i.e., vitamin A) is an effective substance for combating wrinkles and other signs of aging and can be found in numerous moisturizers. Retinoids work their magic by increasing collagen production, though it can take several weeks if not months to notice its positive effects. Still, if you’re looking for the best wrinkle reducing treatments out there, retinoids fit the bill.
Lifestyle Improvements
Wrinkle reduction and prevention can also be achieved by adjusting the way you live your life. Getting more and better sleep is a great place to start, especially to reduce eye wrinkles that can in part form due to fatigue. Additionally, moisturize your skin twice a day with a product that suits your skin type to keep it hydrated and flexible. Do your best to limit sun exposure, too, as the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can wear down your skin and exacerbate wrinkles (wear sunscreen of SPF 30+ every day to mitigate sun damage). And finally, pay attention to your diet, especially your sugar consumption. Sugary, processed foods and drinks can negatively affect your natural collagen production, resulting in more wrinkles. Conversely, fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that help keep your skin radiant and youthful.
Rid Your Skin of Wrinkles
You can’t turn back time, but you don’t have to endure severe wrinkles, either. The right cosmetic procedures, retinoid-rich treatments, and lifestyle changes can reverse those wrinkles and keep new ones from taking over. The experts at Premier Dermatology Partners are happy to give you more advice and resources on wrinkle reduction and prevention. To learn more about our providers and all the services we offer, contact us today.