The Science behind Wrinkles Due to Old Age

Aging is a natural phenomenon, and with the advancement of age come age-related complications. The onset of various diseases depends on the various factors the body has been exposed to. Each organ displays the effects of aging in different ways.

The skin is the largest and the most visible organ of the human body. The skin exhibits signs of old age in the form of folds, furrows, and fine lines on the skin called wrinkles.

Understanding wrinkles

Wrinkling of the skin, particularly the pace of development of wrinkles, generally depends on an array of factors such as:

● Diet

● Heredity

● Personal habits

● Extreme exposure to the sun (also termed as photoaging)

● Pollution

● Obesity

The skin undergoes two stages of aging, namely, intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging. While intrinsic aging is the natural process of aging that occurs over many years, extrinsic aging is dependent on external factors that affect the health of the skin.

Symptoms of wrinkles

Wrinkles are the lines and folds developed by the skin over a period of time. You can observe these mainly around the eyes, neck, and mouth. These can be characterized as the following:

● Lines

● Crease or folds

● Deep furrows

The risk factors associated with wrinkles

The principal risk factor that contributes to the wrinkling of the skin is age. With the advancement in age, the elasticity of the skin reduces significantly. Apart from this, decreased production of natural oils of the skin makes the skin appear more wrinkled. To add to this, loss of fat underneath the skin causes it to fold and develop visible lines and furrows.

Current treatment modalities for wrinkles

There is an array of treatment methods available for reducing wrinkles. These can be categorized into two sections:

1. Medications

These are topical administration of ointments and creams such as anti-aging creams and the under eye creams to reduce wrinkling.

a. Topical retinoids: These are prescription medicines, derivatives of Vitamin A, that largely assist in reducing the creases, wrinkles, and fine lines. Some of the common medications that are in use currently are tretinoin (and tazarotene. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 is also topically applied alongside to prevent burning due to sun exposure after using retinoids.

b. Anti Wrinkle creams: These are non-prescription creams that provide a minimal improvement on the existing wrinkles. Due to a lack of active ingredients, the effect of these does not last for long. These are generally available as anti-aging creams and under eye creams at the local store.

2. Surgical procedures

a. Laser: This procedure involves the destruction of the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis), revealing the foundational layer (dermis). The healing of the wound/ burn causes a tighter and relatively younger skin to surface. This however , does not promise complete removal of all the wrinkles and grooves.

b. Chemical peel: Your doctor applies a chemical solution that eliminates the top few layers of the skin. As with the laser treatment, smoother skin is revealed upon the healing of the wound.

c. Photodynamic rejuvenation: Fine wrinkles are treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT).

d. Dermabrasion: Your doctor sands down layers of skin using a brush that rotates rapidly, causing smoother skin to surface. Another finer technique called micro-dermabrasion sands down only a fine layer of the skin.

e. Botulinum Toxin type A (Botox): This procedure is performed by your doctor to prevent the muscles’ contraction, thereby providing an appearance of smoother skin. This is carried out by injections administered into specific muscles of the skin.

f. Face-lift: This involves surgical tightening of the muscles and tissues lying beneath your skin’s surface, and thereby tightening the facial skin.

g. Soft tissue fillers: This involves your doctor injecting certain fillers such as fat and collagen, among others, underneath the skin’s surface to prevent it from sagging and forming a crease.

You must refer to your doctor and consult their opinion before taking up one of the above treatment methodologies.

To know more and consult a doctor,

Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.

Necessary precautions to avoid wrinkles

The best way to prevent wrinkles at old age is by following the precautions mentioned below:

● Drink lots of water and stay hydrated at all times

● The topical application of a moisturizer traps the water in the skin and prevents it from getting dehydrated.

● Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of antioxidants

● Always shield your skin from the sun and use a sunscreen twice a day even on non sunny days .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does drinking water help wrinkles?

Drinking water keeps the skin hydrated but, unfortunately, is not proven to help avoid wrinkles. Application of moisturizer assists in trapping the water of the skin to prevent drying out and development of wrinkles.

2. Are wrinkles permanent?

Wrinkles, if not treated in time, are permanent, although the severity can be reduced by consulting your doctor who would prescribe a mode of treatment such as topical cream application and various surgical procedures like botox, fillers, and face-lifts.

3. What home remedy gets rid of wrinkles permanently?

While none of the treatments or home remedies provide a permanent solution to wrinkles, certain practices that can be followed to minimize wrinkles are:

● Drink plenty of water.

● Use a moisturizer and sunscreen.

● Maintain a healthy diet plan.

Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.