All about Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Today, everybody talks about ageing skin and the means to keep its youthfulness as much as possible. Oddly enough, though, we seem to be more focused on the ways to treat wrinkles and fine lines rather than on understanding the causes and what we can do to prevent or slow this process as much as possible.

This is why we consider that a comprehensive article on this topic is mandatory for everyone who wants to make a commitment out of proper skin care, not just something we do when we remember of it. Read on and you will find what the causes of wrinkles and fine lines are, as well as the aggravating factors and what to do in order to delay skin ageing.

Causes of Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Since they are associated with skin ageing, it goes without saying that the older we get, the more prone to wrinkles and fine lines we are. While it is true that no one past 50 years old can have impeccable skin, there are also several aggravating factors that lead to the premature appearance of wrinkles. They fall into three big categories:

– Genetic tendency – if your parents have had premature wrinkles or any other similar conditions, it is very likely that you will have them, too. Sadly, there is not much to do against the genetic factor.

– Skin prototype – just like the genetic factor, this is something that we have no control on. Some people are more prone to developing wrinkles and fine lines. Certain ailments (such as acne or those that have a tendency to scar, like discoid lupus) also lead to premature skin ageing.

– Environmental factors and lifestyle – sun damage, various injuries, smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution, unhealthy diets and so on. Luckily, we have a great deal to say about this third category of factors that generate premature skin ageing.

Types of Ageing Changes

Glogau’s classification is the one most used by plastic surgeons and dermatologist when classifying wrinkles and fine lines:

Mild – this phase is characterized by very few wrinkles and no make-up coverage is required. Typically, any person after 20 years old falls within this category.

Moderate – in this phase, early wrinkling appears and the complexion is sallow; little make-up is required to make the skin look healthy and young.

Advanced – more than one sign of skin ageing appear in this phase: the skin is discolored, has broken blood vessels, as well as actinic keratosis and persistent wrinkling. People in this phase typically wear make-up very often.

Severe – the last phase is characterized by furrows accompanied by severe wrinkling and actinic keratosis. These signs of ageing cannot be covered by make-up.

Another popular classification of wrinkles is the Fitzpatrick one, which refers to the lines that appear around the mouth and the eyes:

Class I is characterized by fine wrinkles.

Class II is characterized by fine to moderate deep wrinkles, as well as several lines.

Class III is characterized by fine to deep wrinkles and numerous lines around the mentioned areas; some redundant folds may also appear.

These classifications are used by professionals to establish the course of treatment for each patient. Aside from knowing which category you fall into, the medical history, genetics and lifestyle are also important factors that need to be considered before deciding on a course of treatment. This is why it is advisable to see a professional and not decide on one by yourself.

Types of Skin Ageing Signs

In order to prevent our skin from looking old, it is imperative that we know which factor is responsible for every change in our skin. Here are the major ones, along with their most frequent causes:

– Fine lines – despite their rather “friendly” name, bear in mind the fact that fine lines turn into deep wrinkles over time, especially if no action is taken to prevent this process. They appear because the dermis thickens irregularly, which coincides with the epidermis’ decreased capability of retaining water. In turn, these are caused by exposure to the sun and certain environmental factors, especially tobacco smoke. Thus, quitting smoking is absolutely essential for everyone who wants to keep their skin youthful. Also, second hand smoke counts, too, so avoid spending time around smokers.

– Furrows – these are the deepest lines that you can observe. They can be dynamic (they appear when you move your facial muscles – for instance when you laugh or frown) and static (independent from muscle movement). Eventually, all furrows become static and are noticeable at any given time. The most common furrows are: crow’s feet (around the eyes, they form because of the eyelid muscles activity and smiling), worry lines (on the forehead, they appear mostly when we raise our eyebrows), frown lines (between the eyebrows, they appear when we concentrate or get angry).

– Sags and bags – or, in a broader term, skin laxity (drooping) appears because the fat cells under the skin get reduced in number, the collagen fiber is lost progressively as we age and because of gravity. Thus, the skin appears saggy, especially around certain areas: neckline, earlobes, jaw line, brow, and eyelids.

How to Prevent Wrinkles and Fine Lines?

The first thing we need to do is reduce the polluting factors to a minimum; avoid smoking and staying in smoking spaces, as well as urban pollution as much as possible. A healthy diet and plenty of water are also crucial for delaying the appearance of ageing signs. Nonetheless, avoid sun exposure; if you like to sunbathe or if your work line or lifestyle requires you to stay in the sun, always use sunscreen. Apply moisturizing creams from a very early age to make sure that you have all the fat cells you need and that the collagen production is stimulated.

How to Treat Wrinkles and Fine Lines?

In terms of ongoing care, anti-wrinkle creams are your best bet. However, you should be wary of the type of creams you use, as not all of them are effective, despite what marketing campaigns say. When purchasing such a cream, you should search for retinoids on the ingredient list. This ingredient is among the few that have been scientifically proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing is one of the best available treatments for wrinkles and fine lines. Chemical peels, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, as well as microneedling are all non-invasive treatments, with results comparable to cosmetic surgeries, but without the downtime and other downfalls. VS MedSpa Laser Clinic offers several of these treatments at affordable prices. We always employ the latest technology available and only work with professionals in the field, so that you can rest assured that you are always in good hands.

Contact us now for professional wrinkle removal treatments and start restoring your confidence.