Wrinkles, those pesky yet unavoidable lines that appear on our skin as we age, are a natural part of the aging process. Many of us devote our time and energy to battling wrinkles, but before attempting to address them, it is crucial to understand what they are.
At Dental Bliss Hermitage, we provide therapeutic Botox® for wrinkle prevention in Hermitage, TN, and we’re here to give you some detailed information on what causes wrinkles and how to prevent them.
Some Simple Facts To Know About Wrinkles
Wrinkles are creases or folds in the skin that naturally appear as part of the aging process. Most wrinkles on the face and neck are caused by a combination of sun exposure, habits such as smoking, gravity, and the skin’s natural aging process.
Wrinkles result from low levels of collagen, a protein that helps keep the skin firm. As we grow older, this protein starts reducing. Most women tend to notice wrinkle formation around age 25.
Some other facts about wrinkles include:
- Wrinkles can act as a warning sign for your health. People with high stress levels tend to have more wrinkles.
- Limiting your facial expressions can limit the formation of wrinkles. Repeated facial expression causes muscles to contract, and they may stay that way over time.
- Some people are naturally less susceptible to wrinkles than others.
- What you eat can control and minimize the appearance of wrinkles, to a degree.
- Relaxing your overactive muscles regularly can stop them from pressing into your skin to create wrinkles.
If you begin to notice wrinkles, you should visit our dentist in Hermitage, TN, Dr. Brian George, for wrinkle prevention – although dentistry is his primary trade, Dr. George is proud to offer cosmetic procedures and botulinum toxin (Botox®) for wrinkle prevention.
What Causes Wrinkles to Appear?
Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process and with time, they become more visible on our skin. While wrinkles may be a sign of wisdom and experience, they can also make us feel self-conscious and undermine our self-confidence.
As people get older, their skin loses collagen and elastin, two proteins that give the skin its structural support. The reduction in these proteins makes the skin less flexible and causes wrinkles. The production of collagen and elastin slows as people age. As a result, the skin is no longer able to bounce back after being stretched, leading to wrinkles and fine lines.
Sun exposure accelerates the aging process and worsens facial wrinkles. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun damages the skin’s elastin, leading to more wrinkles among people who spend a lot of time in the sun. People with lighter skin are more prone to wrinkles and sun damage.
So, what causes wrinkles on faces and other body parts?
- Exposure to the sun: One of the main reasons we develop wrinkles is exposure to the sun. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sun damage to the skin, leading to premature aging. The best way to protect your skin from UV damage is to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid spending too much time outdoors when the sun is at its strongest.
- Smoking: Along with sun damage, smoking can also cause wrinkles. Research has shown that smoking can be a damaging factor to the skin’s elasticity. This means that damage from cigarette smoke can cause wrinkles to form sooner than in non-smokers. It is well-known that smoking also causes many other health problems, so it’s best to avoid smoking if you want to delay the onset of wrinkles.
- Lifestyle: Factors like lack of sleep and poor nutrition can also contribute to wrinkles. Our skin repairs and rejuvenates itself while we sleep, so you should try to get enough sleep each night. Eating a balanced diet is also essential for providing your skin with the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.
- Genetics: Genetics can play a role in the rate at which we develop facial wrinkles. Individuals with a family history of premature aging are more predisposed to developing wrinkles earlier in life. Also, people born with dry skin have a harder time retaining hydration in their skin and are thus more likely to develop wrinkles.
- Pollution: Pollutants can damage the skin’s cells, causing wrinkles to form. Pollutants can lead to cell death, an increase in toxins in the skin, and the depletion of collagen.
Common Symptoms of Wrinkles
Wrinkles can be an unwelcome sign of aging. Many of our patients are uncomfortable with the appearance of wrinkles and use our facial esthetics in Hermitage, TN to improve their skin’s texture and elasticity. Recognizing the early symptoms of wrinkles is essential if you want to take proactive steps toward wrinkle prevention.
- One of the earliest signs of wrinkling is the appearance of fine lines around the eyes and mouth. These lines, while typically thin and barely visible, can progress into deeper, more visible wrinkles with time. As people age, their skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin slows down, causing the skin to become thinner and less elastic.
- Pigmentation is another symptom of wrinkles. Skin cells often become discolored as people age due to prolonged sun exposure. Brown spots, known as liver spots or age spots, can start to develop and progress to more noticeable patches over time.
- In addition to wrinkles and pigmentation, aging skin also becomes dry and less supple as collagen decreases. The skin may become easily irritated, itchy, flaky, or red. It may even bruise more easily, making the skin appear much less resilient than it was.
- Finally, another noticeable symptom of wrinkles is sagging skin, especially in areas such as the neck, the cheeks, and along the jawline. As people age, their skin becomes less elastic and laxer. Gravity pulls down the skin, causing it to lose volume.
Therapeutic Botox® for Wrinkle Prevention: What Is It?
Therapeutic Botox® treatment for wrinkles is a form of cosmetic therapy that is usually used to prevent or reduce the development of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Botox® is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and is made of safe and therapeutic proteins known as neuromodulators.
Botox® works by reducing facial contractions and preventing facial muscles in the face from contracting, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike other anti-aging treatments, Botox® does not physically remove wrinkles but works to reduce them by blocking the nerve signals that allow them to form.
The effects of Botox® are not permanent, so to maintain the desired results, sessions need to be repeated every three to four months. In addition, the treatment can be combined with other wrinkle-relieving therapies, such as dermal fillers, laser treatments, and chemical peels.
Botox® can be used in various effective ways to help reduce and prevent wrinkles. The most common use is in the upper face, specifically the “11” lines (forehead lines) and the “crow’s feet”. Botox® can also be used on the lower face, where it can help relax and soften grin lines and marionette lines (lines around the mouth).
With questions on how to prevent wrinkles, Botox® is considered a very safe medical procedure, with few risks. Common side effects are usually very mild and include temporary redness or tenderness at the injection site. It is also important to note that Botox® does not affect a person’s ability to smile, frown or make facial expressions.
Wrinkle Prevention with Therapeutic Botox® in Hermitage, TN
Wrinkle prevention in Hermitage, TN with therapeutic Botox® has become an increasingly popular treatment among both men and women in search of a way to slow the signs of aging and give themselves an extra boost of self-confidence.
Botox® wrinkle treatment in Hermitage, TN is not just a vanity treatment; it is an approved method to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, prevent new wrinkles from forming, and effectively reduce the signs of aging for all individuals. Our experienced staff are certified in administering therapeutic Botox® for wrinkles and have helped countless patients improve their confidence concerning their skin.
In addition, they offer aesthetic Botox® treatments that can help prevent wrinkles and smooth out existing ones. If you’re tired of your “gummy smile”, then treatment with Therapeutic Botox® at our practice can help you achieve the look you desire! Contact us today to get rid of those wrinkles.
