Cosmetic Procedures for Wrinkles


Different Procedures for Different Wrinkles

There are several cosmetic procedures available to reduce wrinkles, small and large. These procedures include, but are not limited to, the following: Botox, Dermabrasion, fillers, fractional laser resurfacing, radiofrequency heating, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, non–ablative laser resurfacing, and plastic surgery. This article provides an overall discussion of each type, and gives their attendant advantages/disadvantages.


Despite their similarities, each treatment works differently, and therefore yields a different degree of improvement. No single treatment solves all problems. In general, deeper treatments yield greater improvement, but impose longer recovery and higher risks of side effects.


Botox

Injection of botulism toxin, the muscle poison, can paralyze your muscles that produce your "frown lines" on your forehead, fine lines around your eyes, and other wrinkles. Improvements last several months and must be repeated to sustain improvement. Injected properly, Botox is quite safe; the muscle poison does not spread through your body to do damage elsewhere. Botox is the most commonly used non-invasive procedure for both men and women who want a more youthful face, irrespective of their biological age.

Injecting botox into your facial lines and wrinkles miraculously makes them disappear, or at least become minimal. The botox works by blocking the nerves to the facial muscles which are responsible for muscular contraction (fine lines and wrinkles are caused by facial muscles stuck in the "contracted mode"). Without a nerve signal to contract, the facial muscles relax, causing the wrinkles to literally disappear. This author has personally had this procedure performed, and simply stated: "it worked like magic!"



Dermabrasion

This is a true surgical procedure, often performed under general anesthesia. The treating physician uses a rotating instrument to sand your skin. Depending a great deal on the skill and experience of the operator, dermabrasion can result in excellent improvement, but can also produce significant side effects, including scarring and permanent changes in skin color.



Fillers

Fillers are injected into your skin to increase volume and flatten wrinkles and folds. For a long time, the most popular filler was collagen, though the results only last a few months. More recently, new filler substances, such as hyaluronic acid (ArteFill, Restylane, Juvederm) and calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse), have become popular, because their result can last six to nine months, or even longer.



Fractional Laser Resurfacing

Fractional Laser Resurfacing is a new method of skin rejuvenation in which the targeted areas of the skin are precisely spaced out at a microscopic level, leaving some skin perfectly intact while other zones are heat treated. The tiny spots of treated skin replace old skin, destroyed cells are replaced with new, healthy cells, and the untreated areas maintain the tissue's stability for quicker recovery.


This treatment utilizes the intense energy of ablative or skin resurfacing lasers, while providing the greater safety and faster recovery time of lower energy, non–ablative laser treatments. As a result, patients can undergo a relatively risk–free procedure, achieve their desired skin rejuvenation, and not worry about scheduling the numerous follow–up treatments associated with most of the low–energy laser options.


This treatment is FDA–approved for use on wrinkles around the eyes, melasma ("mask of pregnancy"), freckles, age spots, acne scars, and skin resurfacing.



Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency is a thermal procedure that uses radio frequency waves to reconstruct the deep tissue layers beneath the skin. This is a non–surgical facelift, and is becoming popular for people who are not yet ready for a full facelift.


The radio frequency facelift was approved by the FDA as a non–surgical treatment for wrinkles and facial skin imperfections. It is a proven medical procedure that requires no scalpels or sutures. Its effects, however, are limited compared to a full facelift surgery. That's because radio energy is not as accurate when attempting to re–sculpt a person's face. Ultimately, the procedure is more attractive as a maintenance treatment for younger patients who are showing initial signs of aging. By using a radio frequency facelift, these people can avoid needing a full–fledged facelift later on in life.


A radio frequency emitter is pressed up against the skin. These radio waves get past the outer skin layers and deliver heat energy to the muscles and tissues beneath. The heat helps to contract these layers and build up collagen levels. The result is the tightening of the outer layers of skin which reduces wrinkling effects. Since there is a lot of heat involved, some cooling must be applied to the skin at the same time. Most devices have a cooling mist of water built into them to keep the skin from burning. Despite this, most patients still experience discomfort, swelling, and skin irritation in the following days. These side–effects can be treated with prescription painkillers.


The treatment only takes about an hour, and full recovery is expected in a few days. The results take a bit of time to show fully. Some results are visible immediately, while the full results take a few months to develop as the deep tissue layers heal.



Microdermabrasion

This refers to "sanding your skin" with a machine containing silica or aluminum crystals. Many aestheticians offer this service, usually in "packages" of six or seven sessions. Microdermabrasion does not change skin anatomy, though it may make the face feel smoother. Cosmetic products marketed as "home microdermabrasion" are just mild exfoliants, harmless but not likely to produce any meaningful change in wrinkles.



Laser Resurfacing

Using instruments such as the carbon dioxide and erbium lasers, physicians can achieve results similar to those of dermabrasion with greater reliability and precision. The laser is passed several times over the area to be treated until the peel reaches the middle of the dermis, your skin's second layer. This helps stimulate your body's natural collagen synthesis (production), which plumps up your sagging skin and wrinkles.


Some doctors perform laser resurfacing under "conscious sedation," in which you remain awake and receive intravenous medications to calm and ease pain. This sedation is combined with the application of topical anesthetic creams (to prevent pain associated with needle insertion), as well as injections of local anesthetics like lidocaine. Procedures may need to be repeated to maximize improvement. Your skin will take a long time to heal (weeks to months) after resurfacing. In addition, this procedure, like dermabrasion, can cause permanent pigment changes and scarring.



Non–Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Newer lasers attempt to stimulate collagen synthesis under your skin without peeling or damaging the epidermis. Studies and clinical experience suggest that such procedures can improve fine wrinkles, though not as much as laser resurfacing. Several treatments may be necessary. These procedures are almost painless and there is little or no redness, peeling, or downtime afterward.



Plastic Surgical Procedures

Surgical facelifts, brow lifts, and similar operations can be very helpful for selected patients. These procedures can range from a simple, single location operation to a complete facelift. Give this a lot of thought before you go down this road. A lot of celebrities have had these procedures, and half of them wish they had accepted the aging face their Creator gave them.


Anyone considering any of these cosmetic procedures should consult medical professionals who have experience in one or several of these techniques. You should fully inform yourself about the risks and potential benefits of each procedure before proceeding. When it comes to someone performing any surgical procedure on your face, get a second, third, and fourth opinion; you cannot undo the mistakes they make (Michael Jackson).

To learn more about cosmetic procedures as an option, get more information at:
www.aad.org –– American Academy of Dermatology

www.asds.net –– American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

www.plasticsurgery.org –– American Society of Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons

www.surgery.org –– American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet –– Aging Skin Net