What Causes Wrinkles and How to Prevent Them

Although they seem to be an inevitable part of aging, there’s much that can be done to prevent wrinkles from forming and to slow down their progression once they do form. First, it’s important to understand what causes wrinkles to develop in the first place.

There are actually two generally types of wrinkles known as static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are creases that are only present when there is movement of the face. This type of wrinkle tends to completely disappear when the face is at rest. In contrast, static wrinkles are present whether the face is moving or stationary. Dynamic wrinkles are generally the first wrinkles to develop as part of the aging process, although over time dynamic wrinkles can become static as the elasticity and the collagen support structure are lost and the skin is unable to snap back as readily.

Dynamic wrinkles can be treated by use of Botox injections which paralyzes the underlying facial muscle, resulting in decreased facial movement over the wrinkle which improves their appearance. Static wrinkles aren’t affected by Botox since they’re present even when the face is at rest. Static wrinkles require more aggressive measures such as injection with Restylane which acts as a filler to smooth out the static crease. Laser resurfacing can also have some effect on superficial static wrinkles.

Can static wrinkles be prevented? Although there is a component of natural aging that’s based on an individual’s underlying genetics, most wrinkles form as a result of overexposure to ultraviolet light. Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun causes certain changes to occur in the underlying dermis that damages the underlying collagen and elastin structure which gives skin its support. When collagen and elastin fibers are lost, the skin becomes more lax and creases and sagging tend to develop. The best way to avoid aging related to exposure to ultraviolet light is to wear a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB light with an SPF factor of at least fifteen.

There are certain topical agents that can help to stimulate collagen synthesis and prevent the formation of static wrinkles. These include products containing retinoic acids, alpha hydroxyl acids, peptides, and Vitamin C. Topical Vitamin E is also thought to have some skin anti-aging properties, possibly related to its ability to reduce free radical damage to skin cells.

As you can see static wrinkles can be prevented to a great extent by avoiding sun exposure and using topical products that help to stimulate collagen synthesis and reduce free radical damage. Once static wrinkles form, fillers and laser resurfacing can help to smooth out the appearance of superficial lines.