Wrinkles – what are they and why do they happen?

Wrinkles are creases, folds or ridges in the skin. Most commonly, wrinkles appear as we get older. However, they may develop after our skin has been immersed in water for a long time. The first wrinkles to appear on our face tend to occur as a result of facial expressions. Sun damage, smoking, dehydration, some medications, as well as a number of other factors may also cause wrinkles to develop.

Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the natural aging process. As we become older our skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Our skin’s ability to protect itself from damage is also reduced as we age. Eventually, wrinkles, creases and lines form on our skin. Apart from the factors mentioned above, a person’s genetic makeup also influences how wrinkly we become, and when and where wrinkles start appearing.

Even though wrinkles can give people an aspect of wisdom, most people do not welcome them. Billions are spent globally on treatments to get rid of them. Some make great claims but have no effect, while others either have moderate, significant or very considerable success.

Most wrinkles tend to appear in the parts of the body which receive the most sun exposure, including the:

Backs of hands
Face
Neck
Tops of forearms.

The main types of wrinkles are Dynamic and Static.

Dynamic lines are fine lines and wrinkles that are visible only if the facial muscles are contracted to form different expressions. There are 2 main types of lines and wrinkles: dynamic and static. The dynamic lines can form paths and permanent lines and wrinkles in time. The forming of dynamic wrinkles can be stopped with cosmetic treatments, which will hinder the formation of static wrinkles. Static wrinkles require more ample treatment.

Dynamic Lines

Dynamic lines or wrinkles form when the face is contracted to form different expressions while smiling or frowning. The skin gets wrinkled and paths will form. The dynamic wrinkles are only temporary and if the skin is elastic, it will spring right back to its normal position. The dynamic lines are more frequently formed in the eye area (i.e. when smiling) or between the eye brows (when frowning).

Nasolabial folds also form when smiling, while some people form dimples in various areas.

Static Lines and Wrinkles

Static wrinkles are different from dynamic lines or wrinkles, as they are visible even if the facial muscles are not being used. When the face is at rest, the static wrinkles will be noticeable. The most frequently seen static lines are around the eyes (crow’s feet), nasolabial folds or wrinkles on the forehead. However, dynamic wrinkles contribute to the formation of static wrinkles. As the skin gets older and loses its elasticity, after smiling or frowning, the skin will not spring back immediately. In time, static wrinkles can form, indicating where the dynamic wrinkles typically form. Static wrinkles form as the skin loses its elasticity and there is a lower concentration of collagen, which keeps the skin tight and evenly surfaced.

Preventing Dynamic Wrinkles

While avoiding smiling or frowning can be a way to prevent the formation of dynamic lines, it is difficult to control the muscles at all times. There are a few cosmetic solutions to prevent the dynamic lines from forming, including BOTOX® Most basic wrinkle treatments, if they have any effect, tend to help reduce the fine lines. For deeper creases more aggressive techniques are required, such as plastic surgery or injections (fillers). What are the main factors that cause wrinkles?

Apart from the normal aging process, the following factors are known to promote the development of wrinkles:
Smoking – experts say that the link between regular smoking and the accelerated aging of skin is due to a reduced blood supply to the skin.
Light skin – people with light skin tend to experience a higher level of sun damage, which usually accelerates the development of wrinkles.
Genetic factors – if your parents developed wrinkles earlier than other people, your chances of also doing so are significantly higher than somebody whose parents developed wrinkles later than others.
Hair – some hairstyles provide more shade for the face than others.
Clothes – people who tend to wear hats and long sleeves usually develop wrinkles later in life compared to other people of the same skin type.
Some jobs – people whose jobs expose them to more sunlight tend to become wrinkly earlier than others. Examples include fishermen, farmers, sailors, golfers, tanning booth employees (UV exposure), and gardeners.
Exposure to UV (ultraviolet light) – apart from those mentioned above who have jobs that expose them to more sunlight, people who spend considerable time out in the sun during their leisure hours are more likely to develop wrinkles earlier.
Facial expressions – people who repeatedly smile, frown, or squint will develop fine lines and wrinkles earlier than other who do not do these facial expressions so often. According to the Mayo Clinic, each time we use a facial muscle a groove forms under the surface of the skin. When you are young the skin springs back, but as it gets older and loses its flexibility springing back becomes harder and less frequent, resulting in more permanent grooves.

What are the treatment options for wrinkles? Getting rid of wrinkles or taking steps to postpone their development are nearly always optional measures, because wrinkles are not usually considered as medical conditions or diseases – they are not generally life-threatening or harmful to physical health. It is important for the individual to bear this in mind when considering treatment options.

Medications

Topical retinoids – these are said to help reduce fine wrinkles, some pigmentations and skin roughness. Topical renitoids are derived from vitamin A. As this medication can make the skin more susceptible to burning from sunlight exposure, the patient needs to use it with a skin-care program to protect the skin. Topical retinoids may sometimes cause dryness, itching, a burning sensation, a tingling sensation and redness.

OTC (over the counter, no prescription required) wrinkle creams – the effectiveness of OTC wrinkle creams varies considerably, and depends mainly on what its active ingredient is. Slight to modest results may sometimes be obtained from retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, kinetin, coenzyme Q10, copper peptides and antioxidants. The active ingredient concentration in an OTC wrinkle cream will be significantly lower than a prescription one. In most cases if any results are noticed, they do not usually last long.
Surgery and other medical procedures

Dermabrasion – a surgical procedure involving the controlled wearing away (abrasion) of the upper layers of skin with sandpaper or some other mechanical means. Dermabrasion is used for the removal of fine wrinkles, tattoos, nevi (moles), and scars (such as acne ones). There will be some scabbing, swelling and redness, which generally go away after a couple of weeks. The pinkness may take several months to fade. Desired results are not immediate and may take several months too.

Microdermabrasion – a powerful vacuum is used to spray microcrystals of aluminum oxide across the surface of the skin. The procedure removes the outermost layers of skin cells – part of the stratum corneum – as well as stimulating cell growth in the underlying dermis. Microdermabrasion is said to help give a fresher and smoother appearance to the skin, as well as diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, coarse skin, and sun damage. The patient may have slight redness in the areas of treated skin. Repeated treatments are required because results are temporary.

Laser, light source and radiofrequency – in wounding (ablative) laser resurfacing, the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) is destroyed by a laser beam, while the dermis (underlying skin) is heated up – this stimulates the development of new collagen fibers. When the wound heals, new smoother and tighter skin is formed.

Ablative laser resurfacing can take several months to heal up. Newer therapies using laser technology may result in faster healing times. Non-ablative lasers, radio frequency devices and pulsed light sources do not damage the epidermis – the dermis is heated, triggering the formation of new collagen and elastin. The skin feels firmer and appears refreshed after several treatments, resulting in faster recovery times; while at the same time more treatments are required and results are subtler.

Botox – (Botulinum Toxin Type A) – Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. It is injected in small doses into targeted muscles. If the muscles can no longer tighten the skin flattens, giving a less wrinkled and smoother appearance. Botox is effective for lines on the forehead and between the eyes (frown lines), as well as crow’s feet (around the corners of the eyes). As treatments generally last about three to four months, repeated injections are required.

Chemical peel – a chemical solution is applied to wrinkly areas, causing dead skin to slough off and eventually peel off, hence the name. The regenerated skin is generally smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin. Some types of chemical peels can be bought and administered without a medical license. However, patients are advised have a medical health care professional perform the treatment.

Face lift – also known as a rhytidectomy, this is a type of cosmetic surgery aimed at giving a more youthful appearance. A rhytidectomy usually involves removal of excess facial skin and fat, with or without tightening of underlying tissues. The skin of the patient’s face and/or neck is redraped. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA, treatments usually last from 5 to 10 years. Healing times may be lengthy and the patient will experience bruising and swelling for a few weeks after surgery.

Soft tissue fillers – these may include collagen, hyaluronic acid, or fat. They are injected into deeper face wrinkles, plumping and smoothing them out, giving  skin more volume. Patients may sometimes experience swelling, redness and bruising in the treated areas for a short period. As with Botox treatment, for lasting results the treatments will need to be repeated every few months. How good the results are depend on several factors, including where the wrinkles are, as well as their depth. There is no current treatment that can stop the ageing process. Preventing wrinkles and lines There is nothing we can do to stop the ageing process; eventually everybody will have wrinkles and lines, which become more prominent over time. However, the following steps may help slow the process down:

The skin and sunlight – the more the skin is exposed to the sun the faster it will age. Protecting your skin by wearing hats, protective clothing and sun screens will reduce sunlight damage, and consequent developing of wrinkles. Remember that sunlight is a vital source of vitamin D for humans. A growing number of experts today are recommending a healthy balance of some sunlight skin exposure, while at the same time avoiding excess.

Moisturizers – these will not prevent the wrinkling process, but may help temporarily make tiny lines and creases less evident.

Smoking – smoking accelerates the ageing of skin. Even if you have been a long- term heavy smoker, giving up will help slow down the current ageing rate of your skin.

Sleep – although this has not been extensively clinically proven, many experts say that people who get at least 7 hours good quality sleep each day will over the long-term enjoy better physical and mental health, as well as protecting the quality of their skin.