Wrinkles and aging go hand-in-hand. As we age our skin degenerates, becoming thinner, less elastic and less hydrated. Collagen and hyaluronic acid production slows down causing loss in volume, and this ‘deflation’ or looseness of the skin adds to the appearance of wrinkles. Crow’s feet around the eyes start to appear, as do lip lines, wrinkles on the forehead and other permanent lines and creases – each slowly developing as each birthday passes.

What Causes Wrinkles?

Besides aging, wrinkles caused by several other reasons. Exposure to the elements, especially the sun, is the biggest cause of wrinkles. The sun’s ultraviolet light damages the skin on many levels. UVB rays stimulate new cell production at the surface, potentially leading to the thickening of the epidermis and causing that wrinkled ‘leathery’ look. UVA rays  penetrate deep into the skin disturbing connective tissue and destroying collagen, resulting in a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles, sagging skin and ‘bags’ are associated with this type of sun damage. Sun exposure also leads to the overproduction of melanin, resulting in freckles, brown spots and age spots.

Facial muscle movement is another causes of wrinkles. Expression lines such as crow’s feet when you smile and wrinkles on the forehead when you frown or look surprised, are known as “dynamic wrinkles” and are the direct result of facial muscle movement. Think of frowning as a workout for your forehead muscles: When you’re at the gym every time you do a push-up, you’re making your muscles stronger. Similarly every time you frown, you make those muscles stronger. Eventually these repetitive facial movements cause permanent lines in the skin, creating  forehead wrinkles.

Smoking is another big cause. Not only does it create telltale ‘smoker’s lips’ (lip lines), smoking has been proven to interfere with collagen production. And a lack of collagen in the skin leads to the development of wrinkles. This is one of the reason’s why many long-term heavy smokers tend to look older than they should.

Treatments for Wrinkles

Wrinkles and aging have the ability to tell our life story – but hopefully not one involving too much sun and smoking. Very few people want wrinkles that communicate the wrong things about you, such as frown lines that make you look angry or lip lines that make you to look ten years older than you really are.

There is a range of treatments for wrinkles, each one dependant on the type of wrinkle (dynamic, static, line, crease, etc.) and its location. Some of Lougheed Laser’s more popular treatments include Botox^® Cosmetic, Dermal Fillers for deeper static wrinkles and laser skin rejuvenation with the Fraxel^® Laser for multiple wrinkles and other issues. 

If you’d like to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and aging, contact us for a consultation. One of our physicians will help find a solution that works best for you.