Causes of Wrinkles

There are multiple different causes of wrinkles, each with its own treatment. As we age, the outer layer of our skin becomes thinner and retains water less effectively. Moisturizers help with dryness. Additionally, with age our skin produces less collagen and it is broken down more quickly, leading to laxity. Creams such as tretinoin help to counteract these effects. Over time sun exposure and other insults such as air pollution and cigarette smoking cause damage to the skin. The best protection from this is preventive by using sunscreens and anti-oxidants such as vitamin C. Chemical peels and laser resurfacing procedures also treat such damage. Gravity and shrinkage of fat lead to the descent of the cheek fat pad, laugh lines, and jowls. Fillers such as Juvederm and laser skin tightening procedures are effective treatments for these conditions. Finally, the use of muscles of facial expression cause wrinkles overlying those muscles. These wrinkles are treated with Botox.