Wrinkle Treatment

Houston, Texas

Skin Conditions

What causes wrinkles?

As a person ages the epidermal cells become thinner and less sticky. The thinner cells make the skin look noticeably thinner. The decreased stickiness of the cells decreases the effectiveness of the barrier function allowing moisture to be released instead of being kept in the skin. This causes dryness.

The number of epidermal cells decreases by 10% per decade and they divide more slowly as we age making the skin less able to repair itself quickly.

The effects of aging on the dermal layer are significant. Not only does the dermal layer thin, but also less collagen is produced, and the elastin fibers that provide elasticity wear out. These changes in the scaffolding of the skin cause the skin to wrinkle and sag. Also, sebaceous glands get bigger but produce less sebum, and the number of sweat glands decreases. Both of these changes lead to skin dryness.

The rete-ridges of the dermal-epidermal junction flatten out, making the skin more fragile and making it easier for the skin to shear. This process also decreases the amount of nutrients available to the epidermis by decreasing the surface area in contact with the dermis, also interfering with the skin's normal repair process.

In the subcutaneous layer the fat cells get smaller with age. This leads to more noticeable wrinkles and sagging, as the fat cells cannot "fill in" the damage from the other layers.

Aging Effects of the Sun and Wrinkles

Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging. Most of the photoaging effects occur by age 20. The amount of damage to the skin caused by the sun is determined by the total lifetime amount of radiation exposure and the person's pigment protection.

Free Radicals and Wrinkles

Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that have only one electron instead of two. Because electrons are found in pairs the molecule must scavenge other molecules for another electron. When the second molecule loses its electron to the first molecule, it must then find another electron repeating the process. This process can damage cell function and alter genetic material. Free radical damage causes wrinkles by activating the metalloproteinases that break down collagen. There are several factors that start this cascading process including exposure to even small amounts of UV radiation in sunlight, smoking, and exposure to air pollution.

Hormone Effects and Wrinkles

It is likely that there are skin changes as a result of the hormonal effects of menopause or decreased estrogen production. However, studies in humans have not documented which skin changes are specific to decreased estrogen and which skin changes are a result of sun exposure or just normal chronological aging. In animal experiments lack of estrogen can cause a decrease in collagen levels of 2% per year and a decrease in skin thickness of 1% per year.

Muscle Use and Wrinkles

Habitual facial expressions cause the skin to wrinkle as it loses elasticity. Frown lines between the eyebrows and crows feet radiating from the corners of the eyes develop as the tiny muscles in those areas permanently contract.

Gravity and Wrinkles

The effects of gravity make the loosening of the skin more apparent as skin sags more. This causes jowls and drooping eyelids.

Wrinkle Treatments – Restylane, Collagen, Botox

What Do Wrinkle Fillers Treat?

Wrinkle fillers are especially effective on deep lines or wrinkles - the ones you can see even when your face is fully relaxed. They can also be used on any indentation in your skin, such as scars.

What Are Wrinkle Filler Treatments Like?

Wrinkle filler treatments are performed in the office. Anesthesia and topical creams are used to numb the treatment area. Wrinkle filler is then injected, using a very thin needle, and results can be seen immediately. You can get back to your normal activities the following day.

Does It Hurt and What Can Go Wrong?

Serious complications from wrinkle fillers are rare. Swelling, redness and tenderness might occur, but minimize over a few days.

What should I expect from Wrinkle Filler Treatment?

There is no pain after the collagen injection. Immediately after the treatment, you can expect slight redness, swelling, tenderness or an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. The discomfort is temporary and generally disappears within a few days.

The length of time of wrinkle correction varies depending upon the filler used and the severity of the wrinkle.