Posts from — October 2009

Certain wrinkle fillers have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to combat the effects of facial lines. However, as perhaps the majority of us feel quite concerned about our facial appearance seeing it is the most visible part of the body, it pays to do research and understand the benefits but also potential side effects of injectable wrinkle fillers.

These are the specific problems wrinkle fillers are designed to overcome:

Crows Feet: These are the wrinkle lines found in the outer corner of the eyes, often as a result of the aging process.

Deep Smile or Laugh Lines: The are fine lines that can emanate from the corners of the mouth. As the aging process continues, deeper lines may extend from the corners of the mouth toward the nose.

Forehead Furrows: These tend to be deep lines that appear above the nose, in the middle of the forehead in the gap between our eyebrows.

Facial lines seem to become more pronounced as a person gets older, and the double action of aging and sun damage take their toll. A person can look considerably younger by minimizing the prominence of facial lines. Hence the great interest in injectable wrinkle fillers which smooth out the wrinkles for a period of time.

Temporary Vs Permanent Wrinkle Fillers

Many of these wrinkle fillers are what are known as absorbable fillers, meaning they are gradually absorbed by the body and the treatment may need to be repeated after six months or more. There is a permanent solution however which has been approved by the FDA called PMMA (Polymethyl-methacrylate) which contains a resin used in a bone cement orthopaedic surgeons have used for some time when performing joint replacement procedures. PMMA implants are tolerated well by the majority, and any side effects such as minor pain, redness or swelling soon goes after some days.

Back To Absorbable (Temporary) Wrinkle Fillers

Some of the absorbable materials which have been used in wrinkle fillers, and which have stood the test of time, are:

Hyaluronic Acid Gel: Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin and these gels have established themselves over a long period of time as a very safe agent for soft tissue augmentation. They are biodegradable and biocompatible and require no prior skin test. Hyaluronic acid gel protects, lubricates, and binds with water to make the skin appear fuller.

PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid): This agent is also biodegradable and biocompatible. It is a synthetic material made from the AHA (alpha-hydrogy-acid) family. It has been safely used in various procedures since the mid 1990’s. The cost can be high.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite: Like the previous two agents, Calcium Hydroxylapatite is both biodegradable and biocompatible. It stimulates the body to produce more collagen, a fibrous type of protein that connects and supports bodily tissue including the skin.

Injecting wrinkle fillers into the skin is an elective procedure. This means it is not life-sustaining, or an emergency treatment but rather a planned procedure to improve the quality of your life through increasing one’s confidence in one’s appearance.

Medical procedures often involve side effects and injectable wrinkle fillers are no exception. These can include: bruising, minor pain, irritation, swelling, tenderness, rash, redness, bumps, and possible infection. Within a week however the side effects should disappear.

Be Careful

While the effects of wrinkle fillers may seem very desirable, namely, a more youthful appearance, it is wise to find a good dermatologist or plastic surgeon and get all the information you can including possible side effects for the specific wrinkle filler you are considering. The doctor or dermatologist you consult will be able to spell out the choices available to you.

Women who are breastfeeding and pregnant women should be aware that the safety of these products is unknown for nursing or pregnant women. Also remember, injectable wrinkle fillers have been tested for safety only on facial areas, not on other parts of the body.

In view of the rigorous testing which takes place for any product which gets FDA approval, it seems men and women who are bothered by facial wrinkles can contemplate receiving injectable wrinkle fillers with a measure of confidence. Just be sure to have a thorough consultation beforehand with the doctor or surgeon who will perform the procedure so you know what to expect in your particular case, in view of your skin condition and the type of wrinkle filler the doctor suggests.

The Webster’s Dictionary defines a wrinkle as “a small ridge or furrow in a normally smooth surface”. But you should see how the whole world is up in arms against this small furrow. This is evident by the millions of dollars spent on wrinkle treatment. And, everywhere you will find animated discussions over wrinkles and wrinkle treatment.

Wrinkles are the result of depletion of collagen and elastin. This can be due to ageing or prolonged exposure to the sun. Wrinkles are common in dry skin or particular skin types like fair skin with blue eyes. Smoking and genes also play a hand in wrinkles. Wrinkle treatment aims at restoring the skin elasticity.

Wrinkles can be either fine lines or deep creases. Fine lines respond readily to treatment while the remedy for the latter type is along harsher lines like plastic surgery. Wrinkle treatment spans the entire gamut from cosmetic cures to medical treatment, and surgical procedures.

A superficial wrinkle treatment involves minor lifestyle changes like cutting down on nicotine, junk and fatty foods and having more water to keep dehydration at bay. You should also guard your sensitive skin from the sun’s harmful rays with sun blocks and covered garments.

Medical wrinkle remedy is a milder form of treatment. In this range you have antioxidants like formulas containing Vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, fruits like blue and black berries, fish, red wine, moisturizers and cosmetics that include AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) or fruit acids.

However, one of the best treatments against wrinkles in the medical arena is Vitamin A acid. Vitamin A treatment is also effective against other skin problems like dryness and pigmentation.

Amongst the plethora of cosmetic procedures, the skin peel reigns supreme as an effective anti-wrinkle remedy. Glycolic acid peels work only on the surface of the skin and as such are not much effective against wrinkles. It takes penetrative peels like salicylic and trichloroacetic acids (TCA) to produce visible results. In fact, TCA peels are the best wrinkle remedy that is presently around.

Dermabrasion and laser resurfacing are other peel types used as wrinkle remedy. Both involve a scraping of the skin surface. However, laser resurfacing is more penetrative and like the copper-peptide cream boosts the body’s collagen production to pump out the drooping muscles and the wrinkles. It also entails a longer recuperation time.

Nevertheless, laser resurfacing peel-type wrinkle remedy involves side effects like scarring and pigmentation. They should be undergone only under mild sedation or general anesthesia, as prescribed.

Recent years have seen much fanfare around the Botox injection. This treatment involves paralyzing the muscles with botulinum toxin shots to smooth out the wrinkles, laugh and frown lines. The effects last for several months.

For those willing to submit themselves under the surgeon’s scalpel, plastic surgery is an option for wrinkle remedy. A facelift or a brow lift can also act as an effective wrinkle reducer.

Now, you can keep away skin resembling an old parchment. With the proper wrinkle treatment, look 25 at 45.

Aging is a natural sequence of life, yet many of us can’t face it gracefully. Grey hair, sagging skin and ugly wrinkles are by products of the aging process.

Every one of us hates wrinkles and wish they would never occur, but aging and wrinkled skin are inevitable. As despairing as it sounds there are solutions available to delay the advent of aging and wrinkles.

What are wrinkles?

Wrinkles refer to those thin and creased lines that appear on the softer portions of our body like the face, neck and hands and results in sagging skin due to decreased elasticity of the skin.

Are you susceptible to wrinkles?

Along with the natural aging process, exposure to sun, wind and environmental elements cause the appearance of wrinkles in many people over a certain age. But there are others, who are more prone to the attack of wrinkles at an early age because of genetic factors, lifestyle and behavioral choices.

Individuals exposed to UV radiation from sunlight, either due to their profession or location of residence as well as heavy smokers are especially prone to the early development of wrinkles.

Individuals with lighter complexions experience premature appearance of wrinkles, while those with darker complexions are less prone to their development. Due to the larger presence of melanin, the skins of the latter group suffer a reduced level of penetration of UV rays from sunlight. Rapid weight loss over a short time span also causes development of wrinkles because of the loss of fat cells.

Free Radicals and the Occurrence of Wrinkles

Free radical damage is considered one of the most vital source of skin damage and appearance of wrinkles. These free radicals severely harm the skin by breaking down the skins support structures. They diminish elasticity of skin and the resilience of skin is lost and the aging process sets in.

Antioxidants are meant to reduce the damage caused by free radicals. When antioxidant protection is inadequate in our body, free radicals cause damage. The activities of free radicals can be neutralized through antioxidants abundant in vitamins A, C, and E, beta carotene, selenium, zinc and more.

Thus by consuming foods and vitamins rich in antioxidants and through the application of skin care products rich in antioxidants, you can stall the process of wrinkling of skin.

How to combat wrinkles

NOTE: Always consult your physician first before implementing any new diets, therapies and/or implementing any skin care regimen or procedures, especially if you have existing skin conditions and/or are prone to rashes and/or have sensitive skin and/or are allergic to certain ingredients that may be included in any skin care formulations or are allergic to any components natural or synthetic that may be mentioned.

There is more than one way to combat unwanted wrinkles and creases on your skin.

As mentioned above, topical creams and lotions rich in antioxidants, vitamin A and retinol produce greater results in concealing wrinkle lines. Also, supplements particularly rich in vitamin E and vitamin C work wonderfully in returning some of the lost resilience of the skin. Vitamin K (caution if you’re taking blood thinners) is also popularly used in the treatment of wrinkles. Also, hormone replacement therapy helps regain healthy skin in postmenopausal women.

Wrinkle Prevention tips

Prevention is better than cure.
- Use Sun block lotions every time you go out in the sun.
- Wear sunglasses and use an umbrella or wear a hat.
- Wear protective clothing.
- Eat plenty of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables.

Getting rid of wrinkles is big business. Global beauty industry is worth more than an astounding $60 billion dollars and is climbing every year. Millions of dollars are poured into research to find the latest miracle cure to get rid of wrinkles, driven by an aging world population. More is being done in tapping on the age old natural elements and agents found in Mother Nature. It seems that more people are getting interested in natural ways to get rid of wrinkles. We will look at what nature has to offer and some self-help to fight our common enemy ie wrinkles.

There are things we can do to slow down the visible signs of aging and wrinkles. Abstinence from certain activities and foods can help to get rid of wrinkles. Appropriate consumption of foods made from some natural ingredients would boost our skin regeneration function and get rid of wrinkles faster than we can imagine.

1. Sugar Consumption

Cut down on sugar intake. Avoid sweetened drinks like carbonated drinks, candies, cookies and sweets. Sugar intake increases our blood sugar and triggers glycation. Glycation is a cellular inflammation that sets off free radical formation which destroys the collagen and elastin, the connective fibers in our skin. Wrinkles develop as a result.

2. Smoking

Smoking is bad for our skin. It not only causes wrinkles, but other skin problems such as blemishes, acne, discoloration and dryness.

3. Sunlight

Stay indoors if you can. A bit of sun is good for our skin, but over exposure would destroy the connective fibers in our skin and promotes wrinkles.

4. Processed and Packaged Foods

Even though we have been called a fast food generation, do not let this label hinder us from saying no to processed and packaged foods. A lot of preservatives go into the preparation of such foods and they are harmful to our skin.

5. Anti -Wrinkle Diet

Consider using the following ingredients to prepare your meals.

a. Olive Oil

Olive oil has been touted as one of the best natural anti-wrinkle ingredient to get rid of wrinkles. It can reduce wrinkles and improve skin complexion.

b. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain lycopene that prevents cancer and wrinkles.

c. Beets

Beets contain lots of iron and are excellent in fighting wrinkles.

d. Vegetables, Fruits and Foods Rich in Antioxidants

Vegetables, fruits and foods packed with antioxidants are great ingredients to get rid of wrinkles. They are rich in natural vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, E, selenium and beta carotene. Examples are citrus fruits, blueberries, spinach, broccoli, pinapple, mango, brown rice, whole grains, salmon, tuna, chicken, kale and carrots.

6. Water

Water is a natural gift to us. It has many health benefits, including helping us to get rid of wrinkles. Research studies have shown that drinking 8 glasses of water a day not only improves our skin complexion, it actually helps to promote better health and slow down aging. If you are too busy and keep forgetting to drink, set a timer using your watch to remind yourself to drink every few hours.

You will find more useful tips to get rid of wrinkles at my blog and discover a unique natural formula almost every major woman’s magazine is talking about today.

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