Wrinkle Treatment
Fine lines and wrinkles are one of the most common reasons patients choose to visit Hess Medical Spa at Hess Plastic Surgery in Fairfax, VA.
While there are many factors that can cause aging in your face, the most common reason for wrinkles in the skin is sun damage. Wrinkles and lines in the skin can add to your apparent age and may even make you appear tired or unhealthy.
What causes wrinkles?
If you have ever spent a lot of time in the sun, without proper sun protection, you may witness the early signs of aging sooner than other people your age. Wrinkles are the result of ultraviolet radiation (UV), from the sun, damaging the collagen and other proteins, such as elastin, in the skin over time.
This damage results in a loss of youthful elasticity and volume that keeps your skin looking young and supple. In addition, because of the loss of skin proteins, the skin is less able to hold water. This can lead to a sallow and dull appearance to the skin.
Other causes of wrinkles and signs of aging on your skin are environment, diet, stress, smoking, lifestyle, genetics and time. Even with proper protection, your skin will still naturally age, though at a much slower pace than with photoaging.
How are wrinkles classified?
Wrinkles and other signs of aging are classified according to the Glogau scale. This scale was created in order to objectively measure the severity of photoaging, in particular wrinkles.
| Type I (no wrinkles) | Age 20s-30s | Few signs of aging and no to very few wrinkles | Few if any wrinkles, minimal pigment changes. No Keratosis. Requires little or no makeup for coverage. |
| Type II (wrinkles in motion) | Age 30s-40s | Early wrinkling, only in motion such as smile lines | Minor discoloration with early actinic keratosis. Requires some makeup |
| Type III (wrinkles at rest) | Age 50s-60s | Clear signs of aging: discolorations, wrinkles on the face (around eyes, forehead, mouth) | Telangiectasias (spider veins) always wears makeup) |
| Type IV (All wrinkles) | Age 65-70 | Extreme levels of obvious, deep wrinkles, changes in skin tone and appearance | Actinic Keratosis with or without skin cancer |
What can be done to treat wrinkles?
We offer many non-surgical treatments and products that can reverse the early signs of aging.
Our comprehensive treatment programs are designed to address these various forms of aging. From our facial treatments to extensive peels and microdermabrasion our master aesthetician will evaluate you and determine the most appropriate treatment program for you.
In cases of more significant wrinkles and loose skin additional procedures such as Botox or fillers may be necessary to help regain a youthful appearance.
At Hess Medical Spa we strongly believe in matching the best treatment for each patient. A consultation with Dr. Hess may be suggested to determine if additional surgical procedures such as a facelift, eyelid surgery, brow lift or other are necessary achieve the look you desire.
