5 Nonsurgical Treatments for Fine Lines

The skin changes over time, and several factors can contribute to the formation of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Fortunately, you can look younger without plastic surgery.

At Skinworks Dermatology in New York City, Dr. Javier Zelaya and our team offer nonsurgical solutions for skin in need of refreshing. We look at five treatment options below.

Causes and types of fine lines and wrinkles

Age is a primary factor in the loss of collagen and elastin, proteins in the skin responsible for its elasticity and firmness. Still, the thinning and wrinkling in the skin have multiple causes:

• UV overexposure: Too much time in direct sunlight damages your skin in many ways
• Sun lamps: UV light in a more concentrated form has the same risk as too much sunlight
• Smoking: Slows down the production of collagen in the skin
• Repeated facial expressions: Smiling, frowning, and squinting take a toll over time

Wrinkles are dynamic or static, meaning they result from repeated expressions (dynamic) or the pull of gravity (static). Common types of wrinkles include:

• Forehead or worry lines above your brow
• Bunny lines that appear between the nose and eyes
• Crow’s feet on the sides of your eyes
• Laugh lines, or nasolabial folds, that form around the upper lip
• Lip lines around the mouth’s perimeter
• Marionette lines that form vertically and frame your chin

Untreated, fine lines can gradually turn into deeper wrinkles.

Nonsurgical options

Here are five ways to treat your fine lines and wrinkles without surgery:

Botox® injections

Subdermal injections of this neurotoxin have become a popular way of managing dynamic wrinkles. It works by paralyzing muscle activity to keep facial muscles from contracting.

Dermal fillers

These injections fill the spaces in wrinkles with a variety of materials, including hyaluronic acid. Fillers can address dynamic and static wrinkles, and can help contour the face.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy

One of several forms of laser therapy that treats skin, this method (also called a photo facial) directs several wavelengths of laser heat at the lower layers of skin to help smooth wrinkles.

Laser resurfacing

Several types of skin resurfacing (using a single laser as opposed to multiple wavelengths) can help reduce wrinkles and provide healthier skin by stimulating collagen production.

Chemical peels

Also called dermapeeling or chemexfoliation, this technique uses chemicals to cause the skin to peel and reveal healthy layers beneath. This process can help reduce wrinkles, clear up acne, reduce scarring, and manage various skin conditions.

If you see fine lines forming on your face and want to turn back the clock, call the Skinworks Dermatology office in Maspeth, Chelsea, or Park Slope, or request your appointment online today.