Wrinkle Reduction

The Anatomy of a Wrinkle

There is a possibility for a healthier, longer life span and want to look the part. But a youthful appearance isn’t only about the surface of the skin. Nor is a well-rounded approach to rejuvenation simplistically skin deep. Time and sun damage take their toll upon each layer of the skin and its supportive tissues. To meet our expectations of ongoing youthfulness, rejuvenation must take into account all of our skin, outermost to inmost.

Cause and Repair

There is a possibility for a healthier, longer life span and want to look the part. But a youthful appearance isn’t only about the surface of the skin. Nor is a well-rounded approach to rejuvenation simplistically skin deep. Time and sun damage take their toll upon each layer of the skin and its supportive tissues. To meet our expectations of ongoing youthfulness, rejuvenation must take into account all of our skin, outermost to inmost.

The Four Zones of Aging

Dryness, dullness, blotchiness and fine lines are the definitive aging concerns occurring in this outermost layer. By age 30, the skin is becoming drier and this escalates at menopause. Dryness may also be the source of increased skin sensitivity during this time. The pigment-producing cells called melanocytes live in the basement layer of the epidermis. It is here that our skin color is produced. Over the years, the cumulative effects of the sun cause melanocytes to become more active. The resulting overproduction of melanin leads to blotchy discoloration and those large freckles (lentigos/lentigines) that frequently appear as we age. Closer to the surface, the corneocytes (superficial epidermal cells) accumulate and the epidermis thickens. The final result: a dull, sallow, lifeless complex.

How Do I Fix This?

Skin resurfacing Erbium laser Pigment reduction laser

Collagen and elastin fibers begin to break down, leading to sagging of the skin. Compounding this, collagen and elastin-producing cells called fibroblasts become far less active. Your skin can’t make the amount of collagen fibers necessary to maintain your skin’s status quo, let alone repair damage. Sunlight also takes its toll on the dermis, damaging cellular DNA. This can lead to an increased formation of blood vessels, like spider veins on the face. The skin becomes more fragile and easily bruised due to to thinning of a cellular component, GAG’s, that helps give the skin overall structure and of the extracellular cement, which holds cells together.

Some age-related lentigos are caused by melanin deposited into the dermis, similar to what is seen with some birthmarks. That is why the bleaching process can be so difficult (or even impossible) for some women.

How Do I Fix This?

Skin resurfacing Erbium laser Pigment reduction laser Injectable Juvederm The Fat Layer

Below the dermal layer is a layer of fat. As we age, the fatty layer on the back of the hands, the neck and the face becomes noticeably thinner. The results: More noticeable blood vessels on the backs of the hands. Dark circles exacerbated by fat pad atrophy beneath the eyes and overall thinning of the skin, allowing for increased fragility. Fat will accumulate, however, along the jowls, creating the waddle (double chin) and “heavy” looking, sagging lower cheeks.

How Do I Fix This?

Skin resurfacing Erbium laser on the Muscle Layer

Below the fat lies muscle. Deeply grooved wrinkle lines on the face are caused by the buildup of facial muscles through overuse, typically smiling and frowning. Or chronic puckering from smoking, which can cause deep lines to form around the mouth. But even a non-smoking lifetime of puckering can eventually form these deep, crevice-like lines, particularly if there has been quite a bit of additional sun damage.