Lines & wrinkles

Treatments for fine lines, wrinkles and creases on the face, neck and chest.

No referral needed · at ActivMD Derm Spa, next door to our clinic

We learn to laugh, smile and frown, and years of it leave the signs of life: wrinkles, lines and creases.

Unfortunately, the environment and our genetic tendencies lead to ongoing skin damage. Wrinkles and folds form mainly on the face but can also appear on the chest, neck and arms.

Wrinkles can be dynamic, meaning they appear or worsen with movement, such as frown lines. They can also be static, meaning they are present at rest.

While wrinkles and fine lines are a normal part of aging, they can make the skin look tired and affect self-esteem, especially for women. You can prevent premature wrinkling by avoiding the sun and taking proper care of your skin, but wrinkles caused by genetics and aging cannot be avoided.

Causes of fine lines and wrinkles

Wrinkles and fine lines have many causes.

Sun exposure

Sun exposure is the most common cause of skin damage and wrinkling. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight changes the skin: besides fine lines and wrinkles, UV damage causes brown spots and pigment irregularity, as well as broken capillaries and red blotches. All of these changes make the skin look older.

Smoking

Smoking is considered one of the worst habits you can have. It harms your health and your skin, causing it to age early. Research has shown that people who have never smoked have fewer wrinkles than smokers.

Age

With the passage of time, your skin starts to age. Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, and they typically begin to appear in your mid-twenties to early thirties.

Hormonal changes

When our hormones are out of balance, we are more likely to develop dry skin, fine lines, wrinkles, acne and rosacea. As we age, the hormones that help keep our skin firm and vibrant also decline, leading to sagging and wrinkles.

Sleeping position

Your sleeping position can be a surprising cause of wrinkles, especially on your face. Sleeping in one position for long periods can create permanent fine lines.

Poor diet

If your body is not getting the nutrients it needs, you may develop wrinkles early.

When wrinkles start to show

In your 20s: your skin responds less to antioxidants, making it more sensitive to damage from oxidative stress. It also becomes drier as your hormones level out, though you may still get pimples and breakouts.
In your 30s: collagen production slows, so the skin looks thinner and less full. Skin continues to feel dry, may become sensitive, and the under-eye area becomes more delicate, which leads to more noticeable lines around the eyes. You may also start to see wrinkles on the forehead.
In your 40s: the life cycle of skin cells slows, which can dramatically affect your appearance. Other changes include a loss of elastin, adult acne and increased sensitivity, all linked to lower levels of estrogen in the body. You will see deeper lines around the eyes, mouth and forehead, along with age spots.
In your 50s, 60s and beyond: skin continues to thin and dry, lines become deeper and age spots more visible. According to a study on the effects of estrogens on skin aging, women lose a third of their collagen during the first five years of menopause.

Common types of wrinkles

Wrinkles can appear in many areas. A few of the most common follow.

Eye wrinkles

Eye wrinkles tend to be the first sign of aging people notice. In your twenties and thirties, crow’s feet, tear troughs and under-eye bags become more visible. You can combat them by paying attention to skin care sooner rather than later.

Forehead wrinkles

Forehead wrinkles can also appear early, thanks to everyday facial expressions and repeated muscle movement. They usually stretch horizontally across the forehead but may also be vertical, forming between the eyebrows.

Lip wrinkles

Lip wrinkles are common from your mid to late thirties. Lines around the mouth develop naturally with age but can appear earlier, in your twenties and thirties, if you smoke.

Diminish wrinkles and look younger naturally

At Rao Dermatology, we use a range of treatments to improve skin quality, diminish the appearance of age and help prevent new creases and grooves. Dr. Rao also trains other practitioners in advanced injection techniques.