Dynamic, Static, and Skin Folds OH MY!!!

Not all wrinkles are created equally (or fairly, if you ask me). There are 3 types of wrinkles.

Dynamic wrinkles are the first type, and they are, in short, your smile lines and frown lines. No matter what you call them, they are the most troublesome of all wrinkles and often are the most difficult to treat. They are our crow's feet, scowl lines, forehead creases, and lip wrinkles. They develop because each time we smile, laugh, or frown, our skin creases or folds in the same way. After making the same expressions time after time, our skin "remembers" these creases even when they are not there. These wrinkles can be improved through laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, deep peels, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and fillers. However, even if these treatments could vanish your dynamic wrinkles, your dynamic wrinkles will return, because you will continue to make the same facial expressions that caused them in the first place. Interestingly, if you have ever seen anyone who has had one half of their face paralyzed, you may have noticed that the paralyzed side appears younger. This is because they do not move that side of the face, so there are no dynamic wrinkles.

Static Wrinkles are the second type, and they are wrinkles due to lack of elasticity of the skin caused from sun damage, smoking, genetics, poor nutrition, or from prolonged dynamic wrinkling. Static facial wrinkles are visible regardless of muscle contraction; they stay (hence the name “static”) even when the muscles are not contracting. This leads to the classic “crepiness” and multiple cross-hatching as is often seen in wrinkles on the cheeks and around the eyes. Techniques that increase the thickness of the skin or that remove the damaged skin are effective wrinkle treatments. Laser Skin Resurfacing and deeper chemical peels remove the damaged skin and stimulate new collagen formation to improve the skin’s appearance, elasticity and thickness. Topical creams and ointments such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Vitamin C serum, and new collagen growth factor formulas are good maintenance systems to restore and maintain the skin’s youthfulness. Of course, daily sun protection is essential in preventing further sun damage and skin cancer. Multiple treatments of intense pulse light or light chemical peels and other non-ablative lasers can increase the thickness of the skin and collagen level without significant downtime.

Last, but, CERTAINLY, not least, are skin folds. The third type of wrinkles, called wrinkle folds, is often due to sagging of the underlying facial structures, most notably causing the deep grooves between the nose and mouth known as the naso-labial groove. Surgical procedures such as midface lifts, cheek lifts, and neck lifts offer the best corrective measures for these problems. Alternatively, the folds can be camouflaged temporarily by plumping up the groove from beneath with substances like collagen or soon to be FDA-approved hyaluronic acid derivatives like Restylane and Perlane. These materials typically last for anywhere from 3 to 9 months, depending on the material used and the location of the injection. Fat Transfer, depending on the material used and the location of the injection., whereby your own fat is removed from one area and then injected into the area where fullness is desired, is an excellent alternative to fillers from outside sources, and is one of the more permanent wrinkle treatments.