Lines and Wrinkles

Facial rhytids, commonly referred to as lines or wrinkles, and loss in lip volume, are among the most noticeable changes of the ageing face.

Facial wrinkles can be classified as static if present at rest (naso-labial lines) or dynamic if present only with the contraction of facial muscles (frown lines, crow’s feet etc). However, dynamic lines may become static with time.

This concept is very important in order to understand why cosmetic dermatologists will often suggest a combination of treatments with dermal fillers (such as hyaluronic acid and/or collagen) and agents such as botulinum toxin or botox as it is commonly known, that block muscle contraction.

Dynamic wrinkles (crow’s feet, forehead and frown lines) are dramatically improved by blocking the muscles whose contraction causes them to appear.

However, agents such as botulinum toxin do not address the depression which might persist once the muscle is blocked (this usually happens in the glabella-area between eyebrows). Therefore, once the botulinum toxin has worked and the muscle is no longer able to contract there might still be a slight depression which can be filled with a dermal filler.

Crow’s feet and forehead lines usually disappear totally with the sole use of botulinum toxin. However, it is very useful to treat these areas with vitamin and non cross linked hyaluronic acid in order to delay the ageing process by rehydrating the skin.

Static wrinkles (such as naso-labial lines) are instead very effectively treated just with dermal fillers, as are lips (see next section on boosting your lips for further information).

(Please see FAQ section for more details)