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Smile lines and deep 11s are a natural part of the aging process, let’s face it. However, that doesn’t always make it easier when you see them staring back at you in the mirror.
Although you can’t reverse the aging process, there are ways to fight back and be proactive. You may be bombarded with Instagram ads and Facebook posts telling you what “the best remedies” are. But what actually works?
If you’re craving a youthful glow again or simply want to get-ahead of creases, below are some treatments to consider. But first, let’s cover why it happens to begin with.
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What Causes Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
If you’ve seen wrinkles near your mouth or vertical lines between your brows, you may be asking yourself why. As you get older, your body produces less and less collagen, which makes your skin appear more thin and fragile. Genetic and lifestyle factors can also have an influence. While you can’t control the genetic factors, you can control some of the lifestyle ones.
Spending too much time in the sun can accelerate the rate at which your skin ages. Smoking is another factor that can contribute to premature aging and harsh wrinkles. Another lifestyle factor to take into account is dehydrated skin. This can be caused by not drinking enough water, harsh products, taking too hot of showers, or the weather.
What Are the Treatment Options?
Creams
When it comes to over-the-counter creams, there are a few to consider if you’re wanting to fight the face furrow. One of the most popular options are retinoid creams due to their properties that increase collagen production in the skin. Vitamin C is also a great option as it protects the skin from molecules that break down the skin. Other products to consider adding to your routine are ones that include hydroxy acids, hyaluronic acid, or vitamin A. If you’re not sure where to start, there are anti-aging treatments online that will help you find the right fit.
Botox
Botox is an injectable filler to help reduce the look of wrinkles. This treatment works by relaxing the muscles around target problem areas, specifically the forehead or around the eyes. Because it only lasts about three to six months, the fix is only temporary and requires regular treatments to maintain. However, recovery time is only 24 hours and you can begin seeing improvements within days of the injections. Keep in mind that while side effects are mostly minimal, they can include skin irritation, discoloration, and redness, and/or headaches.
Fillers
For a longer lasting injection to combat creases, hyaluronic acid fillers are another option for smoothing out your skin. Like botox, this technique uses injections, however rather than relaxing muscles, it plumps the skin where elasticity may be lost. This occurs because the acid attracts water and holds it in the skin, giving you glowy volume. Because hyaluronic acid is already found in our bodies, the side effects are minimal but do include redness and swelling. This wrinkle-reducing option can last up to a year and stimulates collagen for an added boost.
Laser Treatments
Treatments using tools such as CO2 lasers and erbium lasers can help give you the effects of younger looking skin. These techniques use concentrated beams of light to begin peeling skin layer by layer, causing it to resurface. A CO2 laser treatment works by shedding thin layers of the skin and works best for more intense, deep lines. Erbium lasers can help with more surface-level wrinkles and require less down time. After CO2 laser treatments, most people take two weeks to recover. After erbium laser treatments, recovery time typically lasts one week.
Microneedling
Collagen induction therapy, or microneedling, is another great way to boost your collagen to fight those fine lines. This procedure pinpricks the top layer of your skin, causing minor injury, which stimulates collagen-rich skin renewal. Results for this treatment are more gradual, but you can expect to see full results within nine months. It is common to need more than one treatment. In fact, most people need three to six microneedling appointments. However, healing time is relatively quick, typically lasting around 24 hours depending on the intensity of the procedure.
LED Light Therapy
Another way to increase collagen proteins in the skin is through infrared LED light therapy, a non-invasive treatment. Multiple sessions are typically required and each lasts about 30 minutes. While this can be done at home or at a dermatologist’s office, going to a licensed professional for this service is recommended. It will ensure you have a high-strength LED light to get the best results possible. This option is low risk and does not require any downtime.
Time to Tackle a Treatment
While there are many treatment options available, it’s important to find the best one for you and your needs. Searching for a highly-trained dermatologist, esthetician, or other skin professional can help ensure you get the results you’re looking for.
But next time you look in the mirror at your smile lines, smile back at them and remember they’re natural. If reducing them would give you a confidence boost, now you have six options to consider. Whether it’s purchasing vitamin C serum or scheduling a laser treatment, there are several ways to start your skincare journey.
Also Read: Aftercare Guide to Retain the Smile Once You Opted for Dental Implants
