How to Reduce Wrinkles After They’ve Appeared

They always say that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. While that may be true, what good is prevention when an issue is well underway? That’s something we often think about when it comes to wrinkles. There’s always that “should have” aspect of skin care, but that doesn’t do anyone any good when wrinkles are in full view. Luckily, it is very possible to undo the years of neglected skin and place you comfortably back in your 20s, before the wrinkles made their debut. Here are the top five best ways to reduce wrinkles after they’ve appeared.

How to Reduce Wrinkles

1. Get a Chemical Peel

Most people will tell you that, hands down, chemical peels are the best way to get rid of your wrinkles naturally, and they’re not wrong. A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that relies on the natural reaction from an acid mixture to essentially create new, generally wrinkle-free skin. It may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but what the human body can do is no work of fiction.

In this procedure, after steaming and cleaning your skin, your dermatologist will apply a mixture of acids (typically glycolic and lactic acids) onto your face. After wiping it away, the skin undergoes a cellular change. The acid causes micro-injuries to the skin cells. When the skin is injured, even only slightly, the body goes to work to heal the area, which means collagen floods the facial skin. As the collagen heals and rebuilds the skin, it pushes the old, damaged skin away, causing it to peel and slough away over the next few days. Once the old skin is evicted, the new skin moves in and is far fresher, smoother, and of course, wrinkle-free.

2. Try Microneedling

You know how chemical peels cause micro-injuries to kick the healing process into overdrive? Microneedling is based on those same principles. However, instead of relying on a chemical reaction to cause the injury, microneedling focuses on physical interaction.

In this procedure, a licensed dermatologist uses a special rolling tool with a bunch of tiny needles surrounding the roller. Very gently, the dermatologist rolls the tool over the face, creating hundreds of tiny pinpricks. These pinpricks are what cause the injury, serving as a call to action for collagen. Not to worry about the pinpricks; most people say that they don’t feel any pain, while others say they merely experienced a light stinging sensation. Nonetheless, it leaves your skin feeling and looking more even-toned with little to no wrinkles.

3. Start Laser Therapy

If the words “modern” and “non-invasive” appeal to you, then laser therapy is the way to go. Using a hand-guided laser, your dermatologist will pass a laser light over your skin to promote the production of collagen. Unlike microneedling and chemical peels, laser therapy passes through the top layer of the skin and penetrates underneath to interact with the tissue below. This means that you are unlikely to feel any sensation. Most people only feel the warmth from the laser.

It may take several sessions to achieve the results you want, but once you get the results you desire, they can last for up to five years. Yes, five years! Welcome to the modern age.

4. Go With Botox

We can’t talk about wrinkle reducers without talking about the most popular wrinkle-reducing procedure of all time. When done right, Botox can easily, safely, and immediately reduce the appearance of wrinkles. How?

Botox injections are filled with botulinum toxin, a neurotoxic protein that temporarily paralyzes the muscles at the injection site. This paralysis stops you from making certain expressions that cause the face to crease and wrinkle. If administered properly, you will be wrinkle-free for up to four months.

5. Try Out Dermal Filler Injections

Dermal fillers are another type of injection, but instead of using neurotoxins, dermal fillers are made from a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid, a natural lubricant found in our bodies. The injection literally “fills” out the area and puffs it out to the point of making the wrinkles disappear. It’s a simple way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles while also making you appear more plump and youthful. It’s also a great way to look awesome yearly, as results can last for 12 months or longer.

If you’re ready to try out any of these treatments and are in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group are here to help determine which treatment is best for you. Give us a call today!