Lines and wrinkles can crop up almost anywhere on the face and occur from a multitude of reasons like squinting, smiling, internal inflammation or a breakdown of collagen and elastin. Either way, they can be smoothed out (your doctor should correct them according to what type of line or wrinkle they are) and made less noticeable.
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Soften Forehead Lines: Do it with Botox, Dysport or Xeomin
Lines that run across the forehead may be the bane of your existence—they give way to a weathered appearance—but they can easily be corrected with muscle-inhibiting Botox, Dysport or Xeomin. By limiting the movement of the muscles that cause horizontal lines, the lines and wrinkles are softened and made less noticeable. “The key to injecting this area is to maintain a natural look by not overinjecting, and by addressing the muscles involved in the lifting and pulling of the forehead,” says La Jolla, CA, plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD. Some plastic surgeons choose to perform an endoscopic or coronal forehead lift if saggy, underlying muscles become problematic. “It usually depends on the degree of change for the desired brow positioning, the individual patient anatomy, and a concern about the longevity of the treatment option that necessitates this surgery versus just using neurotoxins,” he adds.
Lines that run across the forehead may be the bane of your existence—they give way to a weathered appearance—but they can easily be corrected with muscle-inhibiting Botox, Dysport or Xeomin. By limiting the movement of the muscles that cause horizontal lines, the lines and wrinkles are softened and made less noticeable. “The key to injecting this area is to maintain a natural look by not overinjecting, and by addressing the muscles involved in the lifting and pulling of the forehead,” says La Jolla, CA, plastic surgeon Robert Singer, MD. Some plastic surgeons choose to perform an endoscopic or coronal forehead lift if saggy, underlying muscles become problematic. “It usually depends on the degree of change for the desired brow positioning, the individual patient anatomy, and a concern about the longevity of the treatment option that necessitates this surgery versus just using neurotoxins,” he adds.
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Get Rid of Vertical Lines Around the Mouth: Do it with Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing or Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
The skin around your mouth tends to be more delicate than other parts of your face (it’s not as fragile as around the eyes though) and often takes a beating. Years of pursing your lips, from drinking and eating as well as sun exposure and even smoking, causes tiny, yet hard-to-erase lines that become etched in—this is an area of the face where lifestyle choices show. While some doctors may reach for fillers, they may not completely erase the damage and the results are definitely not long-lasting (think a few months to one year at most). “For anything that has to do with texture on the surface of skin, lasers and microdermabrasion are the best options. They resurface damaged skin to reveal new, fresh skin,” says Beverly Hills, CA, plastic surgeon Leslie H. Stevens, MD.
The skin around your mouth tends to be more delicate than other parts of your face (it’s not as fragile as around the eyes though) and often takes a beating. Years of pursing your lips, from drinking and eating as well as sun exposure and even smoking, causes tiny, yet hard-to-erase lines that become etched in—this is an area of the face where lifestyle choices show. While some doctors may reach for fillers, they may not completely erase the damage and the results are definitely not long-lasting (think a few months to one year at most). “For anything that has to do with texture on the surface of skin, lasers and microdermabrasion are the best options. They resurface damaged skin to reveal new, fresh skin,” says Beverly Hills, CA, plastic surgeon Leslie H. Stevens, MD.
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SPF: The First Line of Defense
When preserving the integrity of your skin and reducing the incidence of wrinkles, sunscreen is definitely your go-to product. To really reap the benefits of an SPF, you have to wear one with at least a sun protection factor of 30 on a daily basis—not just when you’re at the pool or beach. A good SPF will block both UVA (those are the rays that age the skin) and UVB rays for full protection.
Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 33, $48, janmarini.com
When preserving the integrity of your skin and reducing the incidence of wrinkles, sunscreen is definitely your go-to product. To really reap the benefits of an SPF, you have to wear one with at least a sun protection factor of 30 on a daily basis—not just when you’re at the pool or beach. A good SPF will block both UVA (those are the rays that age the skin) and UVB rays for full protection.
Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 33, $48, janmarini.com
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Lighten Heavy Folds: Do It with Fillers or Fat
As volume is lost in the face, specifically in the lower cheeks down toward the outer corners of the nose and mouth, a heaviness can occur, causing deep shadowing around the mouth. To eliminate folds, fat deficient areas need to be restored. “Fat added to the cheeks and tear troughs can make nasolabial folds less prominent by volumizing and re-inflating the skin envelope,” says Scottsdale, AZ, plastic surgeon Geoffrey E. Leber, MD. Fillers achieve a similar effect by giving lift to the area, pushing folds up and back and so they are less pronounced. No matter which is used, it should be performed meticulously and judiciously to avoid an unnatural look according to Dr. Singer.
As volume is lost in the face, specifically in the lower cheeks down toward the outer corners of the nose and mouth, a heaviness can occur, causing deep shadowing around the mouth. To eliminate folds, fat deficient areas need to be restored. “Fat added to the cheeks and tear troughs can make nasolabial folds less prominent by volumizing and re-inflating the skin envelope,” says Scottsdale, AZ, plastic surgeon Geoffrey E. Leber, MD. Fillers achieve a similar effect by giving lift to the area, pushing folds up and back and so they are less pronounced. No matter which is used, it should be performed meticulously and judiciously to avoid an unnatural look according to Dr. Singer.
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Prevent Wrinkles: Do it With Retinoids
Prescription-strength retinoids are a must-have according to most doctors mainly because they help keep skin in tip-top condition. The healthier the skin is, the less apparent your lines and wrinkles are. Retinoids work to strengthen skin and boost the production of collagen. The more collagen there is, the less wrinkles and lines there will be.
Minimize Wrinkles
StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment contains retinol that’s safe and gentle enough to use around the eyes. $75, strivectin.com
Prescription-strength retinoids are a must-have according to most doctors mainly because they help keep skin in tip-top condition. The healthier the skin is, the less apparent your lines and wrinkles are. Retinoids work to strengthen skin and boost the production of collagen. The more collagen there is, the less wrinkles and lines there will be.
Minimize Wrinkles
StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment contains retinol that’s safe and gentle enough to use around the eyes. $75, strivectin.com
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Stop Wrinkles from Forming: Do it by Cutting Out Sugar
When you eat foods with sugar (even natural sugar), the sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin, and degrade faster than normal. This process, known as glycation produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that accumulate internally based on your sugar intake. The more AGEs in the body, the more damage that occurs. AGEs are also thought to make skin more susceptible to sun damage since naturally occurring antioxidants become less active.
When you eat foods with sugar (even natural sugar), the sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin, and degrade faster than normal. This process, known as glycation produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that accumulate internally based on your sugar intake. The more AGEs in the body, the more damage that occurs. AGEs are also thought to make skin more susceptible to sun damage since naturally occurring antioxidants become less active.