The Most Effective Ways to Treat Wrinkles
Many times patients come into our Reno dermatology office and drop a large bag of product on the floor while saying “none of this works.” I ask them what they were hoping the products would do, and nine out of 10 people put both hands on their cheeks and lift their faces showing a facelift. I remind them that there is no facelift in the jar and try to discuss with them the different options that are available to help with lines on their face.
There are several different forms of wrinkles. They can be fine wrinkles due to smiling, deeper wrinkles over time with aging, and can be worsened by lax skin. Each different type of wrinkle will respond best to a different treatment.
For example, topical products are good for fine lines and wrinkles. The lines associated with movement can be treated with some of our injectables, as can the deeper wrinkles. That fine textural irregularity can be treated with lasers, and that very lax skin might need surgery to get you the improvement you’re looking for.
Here is more information about what I think are the most effective ways to treat wrinkles.
Retinoids
The topical products that are best for wrinkles include retinoids and growth factor serums. These are the two products that we know of that can build collagen with a topical application. In the laboratory, we are able to measure an increase in college and with these two substances.
We have a retinol product and two growth factor serums in the office if you would like to try either of these products. Topical products build collagen over time and it takes six to 12 months to see a difference in those fine lines, pore size, and texture.
Fillers
The injectable products can also be used for wrinkles. For wrinkles associated with movement, Botox and Dysport are the treatments of choice. These are neurotoxins that inhibit muscle movement for 3 to 4 months with each injection.
Other injectables can be used in areas such as the nasolabial fold or the marionette lines (the line from the corner of your mouth down to your chin), the tear trough (the line under your eyes that makes it look like you have bags), and to the midface cheekbone area. There are a multitude of injectable products that can go into these deeper lines but in general, they are called fillers and most people are familiar with them as trade names of Juvéderm, Perlane , Restylane, and Radiesse.
Lasers
Lasers can be used to resurface the skin improving text from irregularities, fine lines, and smoothing moderate wrinkles also. For resurfacing, we use the ablative and non-ablative ICON laser in our office.
Facelift
For wrinkles caused by laxity of skin, there is only a small amount that topical products or injectables will do. In most cases, if the issue is laxity of skin, a facelift is the treatment of choice. There is an in-office mini facelift version as well as the standard facelift that is done in the operating room.
Most patients have a combination of at least one or two things such as textural regularities and laxity or fine lines and deep nasolabial fold. Each treatment and patient is unique. Come to our Reno Dermatology and Plastic Surgery office for a personal consultation to find out which of these treatments is best for you.
~ Dr. Jennifer Janiga
