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Static Wrinkles

What Are Static Wrinkles?

Wrinkles form on our faces due to muscle movements made during facial expressions. The movements crease our skin in a direction perpendicular to the muscle movements. For example, when our glabellar muscles contract to pull our eyebrows towards the center, vertical frown lines form.

How Are They Formed?

Over time, static wrinkles are etched into our skin, and are apparent even when the face is relaxed, the same way a crease forms when we fold a piece of paper. The process is accelerated when our skin becomes dehydrated, or loses elasticity – changes we see with skin ageing.

Fine lines can start after age 25. The most common age group for people who look for wrinkle treatment is between ages 40 to 55. Wrinkles become more prominent after age 65.

You have a higher chance of getting static wrinkles if:

Retinoids

Topical vitamin A–based drugs called retinoids—the most used and most studied anti-ageing compounds— may reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Tretinoin, under the brand name Retin-A, was the first retinoid. It was used as an acne treatment in the 1970s, but researchers later discovered that it also fades actinic keratosis spots, evens pigmentation, and speeds the turnover of superficial skin cells.

Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin colour. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin. However, it takes three to six months of regular use before improvements in wrinkles are apparent—and the best results take six to 12 months.

Sun Protection

Sunblock helps prevent premature skin ageing caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots. We are advised to apply SPF 50 or higher daily. The Skin Cancer Foundation advises one ounce (shot glass full) to entire body for each application.

What In-Clinic Treatments Can Prevent Static Wrinkles?

Botulinum Toxin (BTX)

Many people think that we should only get Botulinum Toxin (BTX) treatments, done after we have developed significant wrinkles on the face. This, however, is a common misconception. In fact, we should be using BTX to prevent the formation of deep wrinkles which develop as we age.

BTX acts on the connection between the neurons (or nerve cells), and the muscles, known as the neuromuscular junction. By blocking the release of the chemical needed to cause muscle movements, known as acetylcholine, it reduces the strength of muscle contraction, and hence the degree of muscle movements, so that the skin creases less, preventing the formation of wrinkles. Read more about BTX here.

Laser Resurfacing

Ablative laser resurfacing using fractional lasers has a small downtime or recovery time. Risks include scarring and lightening or darkening of skin colour, but results are obvious and dramatic especially for people with severe wrinkles.

Another technology, nonablative laser fractional resurfacing has a healing time of a few hours and fewer risks than the ablative technique. Nonablative lasers are better suited to people with moderate wrinkles because the results are subtle. This treatment needs to be repeated more often than does ablative treatment. This method also can be done with a fractional laser.

Chemical Peels

Once you get a chemical peel, the skin that grows back is smoother. Depending on the depth of the peel, you may need several treatments before you see a difference in your skin. Redness and other side effects are mild, transient and tend to dissipate within a few hours.

Read more about VIDASKIN’s peel therapies here.

Radiofrequency Microneedling

RF microneedling uses ultrafine needles and heat to penetrate the top layer of the skin. This procedure triggers the body’s natural healing process to regenerate new collagen & elastin. This improves the extracellular matrix for smoother, bouncier skin.

Read more about the treatment here.

Polynucleotides

Polynucleotides are extracted from cells of salmon. Many preclinical and clinical studies have shown that these compounds are: anti-inflammatory, anti-pigmentation, tissue damage-preventive, and wound-healing. This can boost collagen production and help to repair and heal sun-damaged, dry, dehydrated and aging skin. 

Dermal Fillers

Sometimes, static wrinkles occur due to a degree of sagging from structural losses in the face. This volume loss in our fat pads are common with age and may benefit from dermal fillers to restore structure to the face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Static wrinkles are lines and creases that are visible on the skin even when the face is at rest. Unlike dynamic wrinkles, which appear only during facial expressions, static wrinkles are present all the time. They are often a result of aging, sun damage, and loss of skin elasticity.

Static wrinkles are caused by the natural aging process, where the skin loses collagen, elastin, and moisture over time. Other contributing factors include sun exposure, smoking, poor skincare, and repeated facial expressions that eventually lead to permanent lines.

To prevent static wrinkles, it’s essential to protect your skin from the sun with broad-spectrum sunscreen, maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid smoking, and use high-quality skincare products that promote collagen production. In clinic treatments such as radiofrequency skin tightening (eg. Thermage) or CaHA skin rejuvenation (eg. Radiesse) can also help to improve the appearance of static wrinkles and slow down the appearance of aging.

There are a range of treatments for static wrinkles, including dermal fillers, radiofrequency microneedling (eg. Thermage), Ultherapy,  laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and microneedling. These treatments work by lifting the face, stimulating collagen production, filling in wrinkles, and improving skin texture to achieve a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Dermal fillers are highly effective for treating static wrinkles. They work by adding volume to the face, lifting facial structures and filling in deep wrinkles, resulting in a smoother and more youthful appearance. The results are immediate and can last from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the type of filler used.

Recovery time varies depending on the treatment used. Non-invasive treatments like dermal fillers and laser therapy generally have minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to their normal activities quickly. Any mild redness or swelling typically subsides within a few days.

While certain skincare products can help improve skin texture and hydration, they are generally not effective for significantly reducing static wrinkles. Professional treatments like dermal fillers or laser therapy are necessary to address these wrinkles effectively. Consult with a medical professional to identify a treatment plan that works for you.

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