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Worried that your skin looks older than you feel? Here are ways to reduce your wrinkles and look younger.
Whether you're 35 and just beginning to see the first signs of aging, or 55 with skin that isn't exactly keeping your birthday a secret, seeking ways to reduce wrinkles is probably on your agenda.
Many women as well as men believe that aging skin is inevitable, but with the information and technologies we have today, you really can look as young as you feel.
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Treatments available at the Vein Laser Center |
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Botox
An injection of this purified version of the A-Botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle just underneath the wrinkle, allowing the skin on top to lie smooth and crease-free. |
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Wrinkle fillers
Wrinkles are filled with a variety of substances, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other synthetic compounds. Popular treatments include Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm, Fat Transfer and ArteFill, among others. |
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Laser resurfacing
Energy from a laser or a pulsed diode light -- removes the top layer of skin, causing a slight but unnoticeable skin "wounding." This stimulates the skin's natural collagen-production system, resulting in smoother, more wrinkle-free skin. |
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Chemical peels / Blue Peel
In this treatment, one of a variety of different chemicals is used to "burn" away the top layer of skin, creating damage that causes the body to respond by making more collagen. You end up with younger-looking, smoother skin. |
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Dermabrasion
A vacuum suction device used in tandem with a mild chemical crystal, dermabrasion helps remove the top layer of skin cells and bring new, more evenly textured skin to the surface. In the process, fine lines and wrinkles seem to disappear. |
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Curl Lift, Thread Lift
G get face lift without undergoing the knife. Thread lift (Aptos lift, Feather lift, Contour threads) is a minimally invasive procedure performed in the office under local anesthesia. Skin is tightened, face is lifted with few threads under the skin. |
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OBAGI NU-derm System
Topical creams are used to rejuvenate your skin. |
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Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
The most recent advance in photorejuvenation and wrinkle reduction is photodynamic therapy (ALA/PDT). The use of the photosensitizer agent, Aminolevulinic acid ALA, Levulan®, activated with laser or / and high intensity light, is known as photodynamic skin rejuvenation. The result is significant improvement in sun damaged skin. Additionally it improves wrinkles, pore size, skin texture, pigmentation, rosacea, sebaceous gland hyperplasia, and potentially prevents the development of skin cancer. Levulan is revolutionizing how we perform skin rejuvenation and how we treat sun damaged skin. |
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Mesotherapy
Using a Mesotherapeutic process known as Mesolift, vitamin injections under the skin rejuvenate cells, activating them metabolically and stimulating natural collagen and Elastin production. The process is not only reduces the appearance of existing wrinkles, but it also helps prevent new ones from forming. Mesolift can help “age-proof” patients of any age. Usually 4 – 6 treatments on the face, neck, arms and hands are recommended with a follow up visit once every 4 months. |
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Avoid the sun
It's the No. 1 cause of wrinkles. In one study that looked at identical twins, sun exposure was found even more important than heredity. Siblings who limited sun time had fewer wrinkles and looked younger overall than their sun-worshiping twins. |
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Wear sunscreen
If you must go out in the sun, wear sunscreen, SPF 25 or higher with UVA & UVB protection. It will protect you from skin cancer, and help prevent wrinkles at the same time. |
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Don’t smoke
Cigarette smoke ages skin, mostly by releasing an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin, important components of the skin. Sibling studies done at the Twin Research Unit at St. Thomas Hospital in London found the brother or sister who smoked tended to have skin that was more wrinkled and up to 40% thinner than the non-smoker. |
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Get adequate sleep
When you don't get enough sleep, the body produces excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. Get enough rest, and you'll produce more HGH (human growth hormone), which helps skin remain thick, more "elastic," and less likely to wrinkle. |
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Sleep on your back
Sleeping in certain positions night after night leads to "sleep lines -- wrinkles that become etched into the surface of the skin and don't disappear once you're up. Sleeping on your side increases wrinkles on cheeks and chin, while sleeping face-down gives you a furrowed brow. To reduce wrinkle formation, sleep on your back. |
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Don't squint -- get reading glasses!
Any repetitive facial movement, like squinting, overworks facial muscles, forming a groove beneath the skin's surface. This groove eventually becomes a wrinkle. Also important: Wear sunglasses. It will protect skin around the eyes from sun damage, and further keep you from squinting. |
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Eat more fish, particularly salmon
Not only is salmon (along with other cold-water fish) a great source of protein -- one of the building blocks of great skin -- it's also an awesome source of an essential fatty acid known as omega-3. Essential fatty acids help nourish skin and keep it plump and youthful, helping to reduce wrinkles. |
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Eat more soy
Research does show certain properties of soy may help protect or heal some of the sun's photoaging damage. In one recent human study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers reported that a soy-based supplement (other ingredients included fish protein andextracts from white tea, grapeseed, and tomato, as well as several vitamins) improved skin's structure and firmness after just six months of use. |
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Trade coffee for cocoa or added to your coffee
In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2006, researchers found cocoa containing high levels of two dietary flavanols (epicatchin and catechin) protected skin from sun damage, improved circulation to skin cells, affected hydration, and made the skin look and feel smoother. |
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Eat more fruits and vegetables
The key, are their antioxidant compounds. These compounds fight damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells), which in turn helps skin look younger and more radiant, and protects against some effects of photoaging. |
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Use moisturizer
Women, especially, are so concerned with antiaging products they often overlook the power of a simple moisturizer. Skin that is moist simply looks better, so lines and creases are far less noticeable. |
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Don't over-wash your face
Tap water strips skin of its natural barrier oils and moisture that protect against wrinkles. Wash them off too often, and you wash away protection. Moreover, unless your soap contains moisturizers, you should use a cleanser instead. |
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Topical Treatments That Reduce Wrinkles
Skin care products |
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The following ingredients can reduce wrinkles. Most are found in a variety of skin-care treatments, both prescription and over-the-counter. |
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Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)
They include Glycolic, lactic, citric, pyruvic, and malic acids. These natural fruit acids lift away the top layer of dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. New evidence shows that in higher concentrations, AHAs may help stimulate collagen production. |
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Retinol & Retinoids
Retinoids (Tretinoins) are the only FDA-approved topical treatment for wrinkles is tretinoin.This prescription cream reduces fine lines and large wrinkles, and repairs sun damage. It inhibits the enzyme that degrades and breakdown collage. Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A found in many over-the-counter products. Retinol is 20 folds less effective than tretinoin but in high concentrations, it may be as effective as tretinoin, without the side effects, such as skin burning and sensitivity. |
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Topical vitamin C
It can increase collagen production, protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays, correct pigmentation problems, and improve inflammatory skin conditions. The key, however, may be the type of vitamin C used. To date, most of the research points to the L-ascorbic acid form as the most potent for wrinkle relief. |
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Idebenone
This chemical cousin to the nutrient coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)is a super-powerful antioxidant. In one study published recently in the Journal of Dermatology, it was found that with just 6 weeks of topical use, there was a 26% reduction in skin roughness and dryness, a 37% increase in hydration, a 29% decrease in lines and wrinkles, and a 33% overall improvement in sun-damaged skin. Other studies have found similar results. |
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Growth factors
Part of the body's natural wound-healing response, these compounds, when applied topically, may reduce sun damage and decrease lines and wrinkles, while rejuvenating collagen production. |
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Pentapeptides
When topically applied, pentapeptides stimulates collagen production and diminishes lines and wrinkles in sun-damaged skin. |
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Obagi System
It uses a unique combination of active and prescription ingredients - including Tretinoin and Hydroquinone - to maximize penetration to all skin layers and rejuvenate your skin. The specific dosage and frequency are determined and monitored, according to your skin condition, needs and lifestyle. |
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