Not All Lines Are Created Equally: Dynamic and Static Wrinkles
Age brings many gifts, including wisdom, patience, and experience. Wrinkles give your face character as the years go by. Though the lines on your face often tell the story of your life, it’s understandable you might want to minimize those that are making you look older than your true age.
You may be surprised to learn that not all the creases and folds that characterize your face are the same. There are, in fact, two separate kinds of wrinkles: dynamic and static. What causes wrinkles to form, and what are your options if you want to smooth them out?
Dynamic vs. Static Wrinkles
If you look in the mirror while you are smiling or frowning, you will see dynamic wrinkles. For example, when you are laughing, the lines around your mouth and at the corners of your eyes become more prominent. If you are frowning in concentration, your forehead furrows and the vertical lines between your brows will be more noticeable. For younger people, the skin snaps back to its original position after making these repeated facial expressions, but as you get older, these wrinkles will remain visible even when your face is at rest. Now, they are called static wrinkles.
Static wrinkles are the permanent creases that remain on your face and neck. They happen because the natural aging process causes the body to produce less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – all substances that cause skin to be more resilient. While some static wrinkles, such as laugh lines, can be flattering and make people look friendly and cheerful, many other static wrinkles are undesirable.
How to Treat Wrinkles
You probably already know you can prevent wrinkles by keeping skin moisturized and hydrated, avoiding smoking, and staying out of the sun. However, everyone develops wrinkles eventually. By the time you were in your mid- to late 20s, you were probably beginning to notice subtle static wrinkles on your forehead or at the corners of your mouth. These wrinkles generally deepen with age.
The two types of wrinkles also require different approaches to treating them.
Dynamic Wrinkles
BOTOX® Cosmetic and its sister product, Dysport®, have proven to be highly effective for relaxing and smoothing the dynamic wrinkles that result from repetitive muscle movements. These FDA-approved medications are neuromodulators, which means they block the chemical signals that trigger muscles to contract. When BOTOX® and Dysport® take effect, they significantly reduce the repetitive motions that cause dynamic wrinkles. The temporary paralysis these products create lasts approximately three to six months, so if you enjoy your refreshed appearance, you will need to maintain it with periodic touch-up treatments.
Static Wrinkles
Injectable dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and Sculptra®, are for correcting the look of static wrinkles in the lower half of the face, such as the “parentheses lines” that form between the corners of your nose and mouth and the “marionette lines” that connect the corners of your mouth and your chin. Dermal fillers are not only effective at improving static wrinkles, but also in contouring cheeks, plumping lips and addressing lost facial volume that can make you look older. Fillers create a natural-looking effect that can last up to two years or more in some cases.
What to Expect From Cosmetic Injectables
Whether you are seeking to treat dynamic wrinkles, static wrinkles, or both, cosmetic injectables are an excellent anti-aging option that easily fits into even the most hectic lifestyle. Getting these products injected is a straightforward, in-office procedure that carries minimal risk and requires absolutely no downtime for recovery afterward.
If you choose to get fillers, you will need to spend 30 to 60 minutes ahead of your procedure waiting for a topical numbing cream to take effect. The treatment itself takes 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the extent of your aesthetic objectives. If you are only getting neuromodulators injected, there is no topical anesthetic required, and the procedure only takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Say Goodbye to Your Signs of Aging
The modern fountain of youth is available for you to draw from. If you are concerned about premature aging and wish to hold off on more invasive procedures such as surgeries, injectable products may be your answer. Contact AW Plastic Surgery online via our contact form or call (603) 294-4526 to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Wilson. Dr. Wilson is a national trainer for Allergan (the maker of Botox® and Juvéderm®) and Galderma (the maker of Restylane® and Dysport®). He is recognized as an expert in cosmetic facial enhancement.