Wrinkles can be treated with a wide range of treatments, from the least invasive i.e home care, with cosmeceuticals, microdermabrasion, and peels, to injectables, anti wrinkle injections, muscle reducing injections and dermal fillers to lasers including fractional laser, and laser skin resurfacing.

Injectable muscle relaxants, the preferred wrinkle treatment, work by relaxing the wrinkle-causing muscles which make people frown or squint, creating an improved appearance. We selectively use Allergan products as they have amazing results. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot contract it and therefore cannot continue to make the undesirable facial expression. Thus, the cosmetic injections gradually smooth wrinkles and prevent wrinkles from forming again.

After facial injections, it takes two to three days for the treatment to begin taking effect and around seven days to see the full effect. Treatment effects can last up to four months. Usually the side effects of these wrinkle treatments are temporary and localised to the area of injection.

The different types of cosmetic injections have different side effects; however, in general, possible side effects include: swelling, pain, burning, bruising or redness at the injection site. Your medical practitioner will help you to make decisions based on your age, skin condition, expectation and overall health. Have a look at the before and after to see what can be done or read more at www.wrinkles.com.au

What Causes Wrinkles?

Ageing Process

As ageing occurs, a person's skin cells divide more slowly, and the inner skin, or dermis, starts to thin. Fat cells beneath the dermis begin to atrophy, and the underlying network of elastin and collagen fibers, which provides scaffolding for the surface layers, loosens and unravels. Skin loses its elasticity; when pressed, it no longer springs back to its initial position and instead sags and forms furrows, or wrinkle lines. The skin's ability to retain moisture diminishes; the sweat and oil-secreting glands atrophy, depriving the skin of their protective water-lipid emulsions. As a consequence, the skin becomes dry and scaly. In addition, the ability of the skin to repair itself diminishes with ageing, so wounds are slower to heal. Frown lines (those between the eyebrows) and crow's feet (lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes) appear because of persistent small muscle contractions. Habitual facial expressions also form characteristic lines, contributing to the formation of jowls and drooping eyelids. Anti-ageing skin care, as recommended by Australian cosmetic clinics, is designed to combat some of these factors which are intrinsic to the ageing process, and thus reduces wrinkles.

Sun Damage (Photo Ageing)

The skin can also age prematurely as a result of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation emanating from the sun (called extrinsic ageing or photo ageing). Sun damage cannot be overestimated as the most prominent cause of skin ageing and skin disorders, such as cancers. Overall, exposure to ultraviolet (referred to as UVA or UVB) radiation from sunlight accounts for about 90% of the symptoms of premature skin ageing, and most of these effects occur by age 20. Both UVA and UVB rays cause damage leading to wrinkles, lower immunity against infection, ageing skin disorders, and cancer. Even small amounts of UV radiation damage collagen fibers (the major structural protein in the skin) and cause accumulation of abnormal elastin (the protein that causes tissue to stretch). During sun damage, large amounts of enzymes called metalloproteinase’s are produced. The normal function of these enzymes is to remodel the sun-injured tissue by synthesising and reforming collagen. This is an imperfect process; however, to achieve it, some of these enzymes actually degrade collagen. The result is an uneven formation (matrix) of disorganized collagen fibers called solar scars. If this process of imperfect skin rebuilding occurs over and over, wrinkles result. Effectively protecting the skin from sun damage is one of the most important ways to reduce wrinkles and prevent cancer.

Other Factors

Other environmental factors, including cigarettes and pollution, particularly ozone, may hasten ageing by producing oxygen-free radicals. These are particles produced by many of the body's normal chemical processes. In excessive amounts, these radicals can damage cell membranes and interact with genetic material, possibly contributing to the development of a number of skin disorders, including wrinkles and, more importantly, cancer. Rapid weight loss can also cause wrinkles by reducing the volume of fat cells that cushion the face. This not only makes a person look gaunt, but can cause the skin to sag. Finally, stress can cause excess muscle movement and produce the oxygen-free radicals previously mentioned.

Who Is Most Likely to Have Wrinkles?

The vast majority of undesirable consequences of skin ageing occurs in individuals who are repetitively exposed to the UV rays from the sun, notably farmers, fishermen, construction workers, lifeguards, outdoor enthusiasts, and sun-worshippers. People who live in areas where the earth's protective ozone layer is thinning may be more likely to have sun-damaged skin. Ethnicity also influences a person's susceptibility to skin ageing. Individuals with fair complexions, and those who have blue, green, or grey eyes, and red or blond hair, are more susceptible to photo ageing than darker-skinned persons. Nonetheless, premature ageing from sunlight can affect all ethnic groups and everybody needs to be aware of the importance of good sun protection, as a fundamental part of anti-ageing skin care. Cigarette smokers are more prone to skin wrinkles and cancer. According to one study, heavy smokers are almost five times more likely to have wrinkled facial skin than non-smokers. In fact, heavy smokers in their 40s, often have facial wrinkles more like those of non-smokers in their 60s. A recent study of 25 sets of twins found smokers to have thinner skin than non-smokers, in some cases by as much as 40%.

Preventive Skin Care

People are encouraged to wash their face with a mild, non-soap cleanser as part of their daily facial skin care routine. Alkaline soaps, especially with deodorant, should be avoided. The skin should be patted dry and a water-based moisturiser (ideally with SPF 30 filter) should be applied immediately to prevent further dehydration. Hundreds of skincare creams and lotions are available which claim to reduce wrinkles, although very few have been proven to be very effective. We can direct you to a sister site that has clinically proven application at prices better than you'll get in most places. Go to www.skinwithin.com.au (the site may redirect to us but be patient it is under construction).

Healthy Lifestyle

Needless to say, a good lifestyle is the best way to reduce wrinkles long-term: daily exercise to improve circulation, a healthy diet with plenty of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables, staying out of the sun or wearing sunscreen and on-going method for reducing stress and tension.