Drawing the timeline on wrinkles

AS A dermatologist, I often get asked for an opinion on how to slow down signs of ageing, especially wrinkles.
Wrinkles are inevitable; sooner or later everyone will get them. However, postponing their appearance is within our control.
First, you should know what happens to your skin to cause wrinkles to develop. Facial wrinkles fall into two types: fine lines and deep lines. Fine lines and wrinkles usually arise because of irregular thickening and because of a lack of moisture in the skin. This is mainly caused by sun damage and exposure to the environment.
Deeper lines or furrows are classified as dynamic or static. Dynamic lines appear with movement, for example the activity of facial muscles like smiling, frowning or squinting. Static lines are unchanged with muscle movement. Eventually, dynamic lines become |static.
Fortunately some of the causes are avoidable. The following skin-damaging habits should be avoided to help prevent wrinkles:
- sun exposure
- squinting or frowning often
- sleeping on your side or stomach
- smoking
- rubbing your eyes
- eating too much sugar
- weight fluctuation
- unbalanced diet and lack of sleep
- drinking using a straw
The skin is your face’s first line of defence. As such, it is easily damaged. However, it all depends on how you treat your skin and how you live your life. And always remember, it’s never too late to stop the process of skin damage.
You can also delay the appearance of wrinkles with non–invasive procedures. The scientific approach to wrinkle-free skin has developed over the past 10 years and these developments have made laser technologies more effective and easier to tolerate. These technologies are intended to stimulate the production of new collagen. If you are looking to achieve visible, long-term results, you may need to invest in laser procedures that work at the deeper level of your skin called the dermis, which consists of collagen fibres.
The laser procedures enable an increased production of collagen,|resulting in firmer skin with fewer |fine lines and wrinkles.
Last but not least, botulinum toxin is most useful for dynamic lines. It can be used to temporarily relax the muscles that are responsible for expression wrinkles or dynamic lines. When the muscles are relaxed from contraction, the skin appears smoother. Moreover, using botulinum toxin regularly before static wrinkles have developed will help prevent them from forming in the future. However, I would only give these injections if the patient needed them.

THANISORN THAMLIKITKUL MD| is a member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and certified in dermatological laser surgery. Send your questions |for her to [email protected]