Types of Facial Wrinkles
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS) annual practice survey, dermal fillers were the second most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure performed by ASPS members in 2013. More than two million of these procedures were performed that year, which was up by 13 percent from the previous year.
Dermal fillers are designed to diminish the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles on the face. There is a wide variety of fillers from which to select, as well as several areas on the face that can be treated. The choice of dermal filler will not only depend upon the area of the face to be treated, but also the type of wrinkles to be worked upon.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
As the body ages, it loses collagen, which is a protein within the body that fills out the skin and tissue over the framework of the skeleton. A loss of collagen results in the formation of lines and wrinkles around the face, and it can give the face a gaunt, hollowed look, particularly along the cheekbones.
What Are the Different Types of Facial Wrinkles?
According to the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE), dynamic wrinkles are caused by the contraction of facial muscles. With each muscle contraction, the skin will bunch up. As the skin loses elasticity and the facial muscles lose tone over time, this bunching of the skin will become more apparent. The most common location for dynamic wrinkles will be around the forehead, brows, and outer corners of the eyes (crow’s feet).
Static wrinkles are the result of damage to the skin, such as from sun exposure, smoking, or poor health. The fine lines that form around the mouth due to excessive smoking (sometimes referred to as smoker’s mouth) are a good example of static wrinkles.
The third type of wrinkles, called wrinkle folds, form as a result of facial sagging with age. Common examples of these would be the formation of deep groves between the bottom of the nose and the mouth. Lines that form from the edges of the mouth down to the jawline, sometimes called marionette lines, are another good example of wrinkle folds.
Which Injectable Is Best?
Injectables are injected into the areas of the face being targeted for wrinkle or line removal. The procedure can be done right in our offices, in as little as 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the area of the face to be treated.
The AAFE recommends the use of BOTOX® Cosmetic for dynamic wrinkles. This type of dermal filler will reduce the amount of muscle contraction, thus smoothing out the skin and reducing the appearance of lines around the eyes and forehead. BOTOX® Cosmetic usually lasts for three to four months. Dermal fillers such as Perlane®, Restylane® or Radiesse® are well suited to plump up the skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkle folds, particularly around the nose and mouth. Static wrinkles may be a bit more difficult to treat. However, a combination of dermal fillers and laser treatment may be the best option.
Each face is unique. So too are the treatment options. The staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery will help you determine which treatment will work best for you.