When thinking about wrinkle treatments, it’s important to consider the different types of facial wrinkles. Facial wrinkles typically come in two categories: dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles. Identifying the underlying cause of your wrinkles is the key to choosing the most effective treatment option.
Dynamic Wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles are movement-created wrinkles that result from the contraction of muscles attached to the skin. These muscle contractions make your skin bunch up, creating creases between each muscle mass. The areas most affected by dynamic wrinkles are between your eyebrows (frown lines), across your forehead (horizontal lines), and outside the corners of your eyes (crow’s feet). Reducing the strength of those muscles helps prevent deep facial wrinkles from forming. Adequate doses of Botox in targeted muscles will temporarily reduce muscle strength and therefore reduce these movement-created wrinkles. Botox minimizes dynamic wrinkles for three to four months and ultimately creates a smoother appearance of the skin.
Static Wrinkles
Static wrinkles are present when your face is at rest. These wrinkles are visible regardless of muscle contraction or movement. Static wrinkles are often caused by sun damage, smoking, genetics or poor nutrition. In order to treat static wrinkles, the quality and texture of the skin must be addressed. Laser resurfacing, chemical peels and microdermabrasion can help to remove damaged skin and encourage the growth of newer, healthier skin. Medical grade products that stimulate collagen production such as peptides and growth factors also play a role in skin regeneration. And of course daily sunscreen always has a very important part to play in the prevention of sun damage, skin cancer and static wrinkles.
If you have questions about dynamic and static wrinkles, or which wrinkle treatment may be best for you, contact with your skin care provider.
