What makes us look older? For many people, the answer is “wrinkles.” But if you’re struggling with wrinkles that have appeared on your face, it’s important to figure out what kind of wrinkles you’re dealing with—and what causes them. You may have heard terms like “frown lines,” “crow’s feet,” and “marionette lines,” but without knowing what causes these different types of wrinkles, you won’t be able to seek out the right treatments.
When it comes to aging, it’s important to look more than skin deep. Sometimes, the problems that appear on the surface are actually caused by changes underneath the skin. To treat those problems, you have to understand what’s really causing them and treat the problem instead of the symptom. Dynamic wrinkles are a great example of this.
So, what are dynamic wrinkles, and how do you know if you have them?
The Truth About Dynamic Wrinkles
Most people think that wrinkles are caused only by changes in our skin. While it’s true that as we age, the skin begins to lose collagen and become firm and elastic, these aren’t the only changes that cause wrinkling. Dynamic wrinkles aren’t an issue of aging skin—they’re caused by facial muscles.
As babies, we learn to express ourselves. We smile, frown, furrow our brows, and scrunch up our faces when we are expressing our wide range of emotions. In the beginning, the muscles are only beginning to learn these basic facial movements. Over time, however, these movements train the muscles to contract in certain ways.
When we get older, those contractions eventually cause dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are etched deeply into the face and can affect not only how old we look, but our resting facial expressions. Some people with dynamic wrinkles find that they look stern, angry, or tired all the time, which doesn’t help with first impressions or their confidence.
Where Dynamic Wrinkles Occur
It’s easy to tell when you have dynamic wrinkles because of where they occur. Static wrinkles, which are caused by volume and collagen loss in the skin, occur in areas where facial fat loss occurs, like the cheeks and lips. Dynamic wrinkles, however, occur in areas with lots of muscle activity.
The most well-known types of dynamic wrinkles are “crow’s feet,” which are lines that extend and branch out from the outer eyes (caused by smiling and laughing), and “frown lines” (also known as elevens or worry lines), which form between the eyebrows. These lines are some of the most common dynamic wrinkles because smiling and frowning are among our most powerful facial expressions.
Dynamic wrinkles can occur in any area of the face with muscle activity, however. Some people develop deep lines on their forehead, a line at the top of their nose, or horizontal lip lines as well. Over time, you will develop wrinkles caused by repetitive facial movements in the areas you use most. Expressive people are very prone to dynamic wrinkles.
Treating Dynamic Wrinkles with Neuromodulators
Over time, we’re learning more about how the face ages and about how different processes affect how youthful we look. Fortunately, medical researchers figured out how to treat dynamic wrinkles decades ago: with neuromodulators. Neuromodulators affect signals to the muscles and can effectively reduce facial wrinkles.
Because dynamic wrinkles aren’t caused by skin aging, you can’t fix them by simply tightening the skin. You have to treat the facial muscles themselves. Botox, which is the most popular neuromodulator in the world, continues to be the best option for people who are struggling with dynamic wrinkles.
Botox works by reducing muscle movements and contractions that cause dynamic wrinkles. The product is injected directly into the affected muscles, causing them to relax and soften temporarily. When the muscle relaxes, the wrinkle above softens and fades.
Botox is a great treatment option because it is effective, safe, and non-surgical. With decades of use behind it, patients have peace of mind knowing that millions of treatments have been administered with few side effects. Many patients get maintenance treatments every few months so that they can continue to enjoy the results long-term.
After a Botox treatment, patients can get back to their daily activities right away. Side effects, if they occur, are mild. Most people can expect to see full results within 10-14 days and the results will last 3-4 months on average.
Preventing Dynamic Wrinkles
While it’s great that we have an effective treatment for dynamic wrinkles, it’s always best to hold them off for as long as possible. But is it really possible to prevent dynamic wrinkles? Yes and no.
Because dynamic wrinkles are caused by facial movements, you’d have to reduce how much you smile, frown, squint, and otherwise express yourself. That’s not really realistic, as we use our faces for communication. But you can consciously prevent yourself from squinting, frowning when you focus, and puckering your lips (skip the straw!) And remember, taking care of your skin won’t help prevent dynamic wrinkles, but it will help you to look more youthful overall!
Choose the Right Provider For Your Treatments
If you think you could benefit from Botox treatments, then it’s important to choose an experienced provider. Botox involves only a simple injection process, but it takes a lot of skill to get the best possible results.
Looking for a reputable provider in Houston, TX? Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique is known for its expert aestheticians and welcoming environment. To schedule a consultation, call (281) 810-9083 today!