Wrinkles

Cosmetic Surgery Before & After Pictures Slideshow

Medical Author: Alan Rockoff, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, MD, FACP, FACR

• Introduction
• What factors promote wrinkles?
• What medical treatments and cosmetic procedures are available for wrinkles?
• Wrinkles At A Glance

Introduction

Although wrinkles can signify wisdom, most people nowadays would rather not have them.

Many products and procedures promise to reduce wrinkles. Some do little or nothing (like the products that claim they reduce "the appearance of fine lines," which means that they don't reduce the lines themselves). Others can achieve a fair amount of success.

Skin ages all over the body, but much more so where there has been sun exposure. Changes brought on by sun damage (photoaging) include "dryness" (really roughness), sagginess, skin growths like keratoses ("liver spots"), and wrinkles.

Most wrinkles appear on the parts of the body where sun exposure is greatest. These especially include the face, neck, the backs of the hands, and the tops of the forearms. Wrinkles come in two categories: fine surface lines and deep furrows. Wrinkle treatments are in general much more effective for fine lines. Deeper creases may require more aggressive techniques, such injection of fillers or plastic surgery.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• tretinoin, Retin A, Atralin, Renova, Avita, Altinac - Learn about tretinoin (Retin-A, Atralin, Renova, Avita, Altinac) a drug used to treat moderate acne, wrinkles, and sun damaged skin.
• Photodynamic Therapy - Read about photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT uses a photosensitizing agent and light source to treat cancers (skin, lung, esophageal, Barrett's esophagus), acne and rosacea.
• Skin Cancer - Learn the types of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma), their causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention techniques. Get the facts about sun exposure and sunscreen.

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