You never ask a lady her age, or so we are told. As we grow older, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to look as young as we feel. Wrinkles are a tell-tale sign of our age and often an unpleasant reminder that nobody gets younger. They appear on the most sun-exposed parts of our body, such as the face, neck and our hands. Other major factors that promote wrinkling, apart from sun exposure, are smoking, fair skin type (since it’s more affected by the sun) and genetics (wrinkling is more common in some families). Avoiding smoking and sun exposure, as well as eating various fruit and vegetables containing antioxidants are the basic precautions one can take against wrinkling.

Complete prevention is wishful thinking, though. Muscular contractions which cause wrinkles cannot be fully prevented, which is why wrinkling is something we just have to get on with.

Or do we?

If you are concerned or feeling insecure due to conspicuous furrows which eat away at your self-confidence, know that there is an abundance of possible treatment methods. Read on to learn about the most popular ones at the moment.

Skin needling

Also known as microneedling therapy or collagen induction therapy (CIT), this method makes use of fine needles which puncture the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Developed in the nineties, this is a modern technique which builds on the ancient Chinese discipline of acupuncture.

Punctures are created by moving a roller with tiny needles in a criss-cross fashion across the skin, which activates the natural self-replenishment mechanism of our body. Australia is keeping up with global trends, which is why skin needling in Sydney is making significant strides. CIT is also successfully used for treating acne scarring and stretch marks.  

Botox

Botox is an injection of botulinum toxin which paralyzes the muscles that contract when we frown. It is used quite successfully on the forehead, lines around eyes and other facial wrinkles, but it must be repeated at regular intervals to maintain the improvement.

This cosmetic procedure should only be done by qualified experts since if injected poorly, there is some risk of botulinum toxin spreading to other parts of the body. When done correctly, the injection smooths out the skin and prevents wrinkling during a certain period of time.

Deeper peels

While superficial peels penetrate very little into the skin and cause only slight improvement in skin texture, deeper peels which contain salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid can be more far-reaching and effective on fine lines. The deeper the acid goes into the skin, the greater the effect, but also the greater the chance of having side-effects, such as scarring and permanent changes in skin tone.

This procedure may require general anesthesia and entail a longer period of recovery.

Laser resurfacing

During a laser treatment, the laser should reach the dermis, the second layer of skin, thus stimulating collagen production. The intense stimulation of collagen smooths out the skin and creates longer-lasting effects. The procedure can be done with or without anesthesia. Note that skin can take a long time to heal (even months) after the treatment. There’s also some risk of scarring and pigment changes.

If you are interested in anti-aging treatments, consult experts to learn thoroughly about differences between methods and also inform yourself about possible side effects. Be honest about your wishes and carefully reflect on the benefits, risks, costs and the recovery period. Also, be hopeful – options are plentiful and going wrinkle-free has never been easier.