Wrinkles

Wrinkles are caused by a combination of factors some of which you can control.

AGE.  As you get older, your skin naturally thins becoming less elastic and more fragile.  Decreased production of natural oils makes your skin drier and more wrinkled.  Fat in the deeper layers of the skin, which gives the skin a plump appearance, starts to lessen.  This causes loose saggy skin and more pronounced lines and crevices.

EXPOSURE TO THE SUN AND (UV) LIGHT.    Ultraviolet radiation speeds up the natural aging process and is the primary cause of early wrinkling.  Exposure to UV light breaks down the skin’s connective tissue, collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of the skin.  Without the supportive connective tissue, the skin loses its strength and flexibility.  As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.

REPEATED FACIAL EXPRESSIONS.  Facial movements and expressions, such as frowning, squinting or smiling, lead to fine lines and wrinkles.  Each time you use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin.  And as skin ages, it loses its flexibility and is no longer able to spring back into place.  These grooves then become permanent features on your face.

SMOKING. Smoking can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles.  This may be due to changes in the blood supply to the skin around the lips.  In addition, repeated expressions you make when smoking may also contribute to wrinkles. (mayoclinic.com)

TREATMENTS

There are several types of treatments that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.  The following treatments are listed in order of most effective, or those giving the most immediate results:  (For more information about each treatment use hyper-links to access company or system web sites.)

FILLERS add immediate volume to an area, filling facial wrinkles and folds.  Pacifica offers a full selection of hylauronic-acid fillers.  Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in your skin that is lost during the aging process.  This substance adds volume and hydration to the skin.  This treatment requires no allergy testing. The result is immediate fullness and volume.  Some areas that can be treated with fillers include; nasolabial folds (or parentheses), marionette lines under the mouth, lips, cheeks, and under the eyes.  Pacifica currently offers two lines of fillers Juvederm & Restylane.  While there are some differences in these two lines they do work basically the same.

Click Images to Enlarge
*Please note all of the patients in the above photos are wanting to decrease the lines in their nasolabia folds, the lines that run from the corner of your nose to the outside edge of your lips.

BOTOX is a purified protein that reduces the activity of muscles that cause lines to form over time.  A simple, nonsurgical treatment can temporarily smooth moderate to severe lines.  The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes and there is no downtime.  Discomfort is minimal and brief.  Some areas that can be treated with Botox include; frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet by the eyes.  Results will start appearing 5 days after the treatment.

Click Images to Enlarge
*Please note in both the before and after pictures the patients are trying to make the same expression by trying to furrow their brow.

FRACTIONATED LIGHT is a laser treatment offered by our practice using the Palomar StarLux system.  Fractional micro-beams of laser energy create deep columns of tissue coagulation in the first two layers of skin; which stimulate the body’s natural healing causing new, healthy tissue to form.  Fractionated light treatments deliver great results with minimal redness and discomfort allowing patients to return to daily activities immediately.  Results are gradual but permanent.  Fractionated light takes more than one treatment; packages are available.

Provided courtesy of Dwight Scarboough, MD and reprinted with permission by Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
Photos are examples of results which may be achieved from treatment with certain technology. No results are guaranteed or implied--individual results may vary.

INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL) or PHOTOFACIAL. The Palomar StarLux system delivers infrared light into the skin’s dermis which induces the body’s natural healing response and allows for the generation of new tissue.  IPL is a fantastic treatment for brown spots and rosacea; and, helps with fine lines and texture. IPL may take more than one treatment; packages are available.

Provided courtesy of Thomas McMeekin, MD and reprinted with permission by Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
Provided courtesy of Thomas McMeekin, MD and reprinted with permission by Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
Photos are examples of results which may be achieved from treatment with certain technology. No results are guaranteed or implied--individual results may vary.

MICRO DERMABRASION DERMASWEEP is a skin revitalizing treatment that helps repair kin that is damaged from the sun and unwanted effects of aging. DermaSweep is a gentle abrasion and a vacuum system that removes or peels away the dead outer layer of skin in order to stimulate and reveal new healthy skin. The skin is left smoother while the suction action stimulates blood flow and cleanses pores. The increased blood flow to the skin’s surface encourages collagen formation thus firming and toning the epidermis as well.

PEELS Glycolic acid peels exfoliate surface skin cells and contain vitamins and antioxidants to protect against future skin damage.  Peels can help with fine lines, mild acne scaring, pigmentation and facial texture.  There is no down time with this treatment and it is the least expensive way to give your facial rejuvenation a boost. A six-session package is recommended.

SKIN CARE PRODUCTS. After much research, Dr. Scheel has selected several brands that she feels comfortable recommending. Our three main lines include:

•  SkinCeuticals, our more clinical line, conducts clinical trials providing proven results for many of their products.

•  Eminence, an organic line from Hungary that prides itself in using fresh ingredients to create hand-made products without heating or hydrogenating resulting in high levels of active ingredients.

•  MyChelle Dermaceutical, an organic line from Colorado, prides itself in being a truly natural, nontoxic, paraben-free, eco friendly and cruelty free company that produces rich effective products.

Dr. Scheel also recommends several independent products throughout this section. All recommended products are available in our office.

• Retinol A (a tretinoin) is a form if vitamin A that helps the skin renew itself.  There are many products containing retinol.  Dr. Scheel recommends SkinCeuticals Retinol products. 

• Glycolic Acid helps the skin renew itself.  Dr. Scheel recommends Intense Line Defense by SkinCeuticals 
• Vitamin C used as a topical treatment must be in a serum.  Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein of the skin.  Vitamin C is also an antioxidant and can help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals.  Dr. Scheel recommends several lines of products that offer topical vitamin C  SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic or Serum 15, MyChelle the Perfect C Serum, and  Eminence Couperose C Serum.

• Antioxidants  help reduce damage caused by free radicals.  Dr. Scheel recommends the Revale coffee berry line, and 8 greens products by Eminence.

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