Facial Wrinkles
Facial Wrinkles
Wrinkles, a natural part of aging, are most prominent on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, hands and forearms.
Although genetics mainly determine skin structure and texture, sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles, especially for fair-skinned people. Other factors, such as pollutants and smoking, also contribute to wrinkling.
If your wrinkles bother you, you have more options than ever to help smooth them or make them less visible. Medications, skin-resurfacing techniques, fillers, injectables and surgery top the list of effective wrinkle treatments.
Symptoms & Causes
Wrinkles are the lines and creases that form in your skin. Some wrinkles can become deep crevices or furrows and may be especially noticeable around your eyes, mouth and neck.
Wrinkles are caused by a combination of factors — some you can control, others you can’t:
Age. As you get older, your skin naturally becomes less elastic and more fragile. Decreased production of natural oils dries your skin and makes it appear more wrinkled.
Fat in the deeper layers of your skin diminishes. This causes loose, saggy skin and more-pronounced lines and crevices.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Ultraviolet radiation, which speeds the natural aging process, is the primary cause of early wrinkling. Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin’s connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin (dermis).
Without the supportive connective tissue, your skin loses strength and flexibility. Skin then begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.
- Smoking. Smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. This may be due to changes in the blood supply to your skin.
- Repeated facial expressions. Facial movements and expressions, such as squinting or smiling, lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Each time you use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin. And as skin ages, it loses its flexibility and is no longer able to spring back in place. These grooves then become permanent features on your face.
Treatment
Just squinting in the bright sunlight or fixing your sights can create facial lines over time. This type of wrinkle, which is created by our muscle movements, is called “dynamic wrinkles” and BOTOX Cosmetic is designed to address these issues.
It is not a dermal filler like Radiesse® or JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel; instead, BOTOX Cosmetic temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles that contribute to wrinkles every time they contract. Within a few days of treatment, targeted wrinkles begin to fade leaving skin looking smoother and more youthful.
Dr. Sergio Verduzco has restored a youthful look to the faces of many women and men around the world with BOTOX Cosmetic treatments. These quick, simple injections can effectively improve your facial wrinkles while maintaining your ability to make natural facial expressions, an essential part of what keeps you looking like you.
We inject BOTOX Cosmetic into specific facial muscles, often close to the targeted wrinkles, using a fine needle. There is minimal pain that many patients describe as a pinprick or bug bite sensation. Improvements usually last between 3 to 6 months, and can often be maintained with periodic touch up treatments.