Emotional expression is one of the most beautiful aspects of being human. Research shows that 93% of our communication is non-verbal and facial expression accounts for a good portion of that. The look on one’s face can speak volumes, even when words fall flat. A smile or a glance can draw people in, while a scowl or a frown can easily repel.
As time goes by, the condition of our skin diminishes and wrinkles develop due to depletion of collagen and elastin, as well as other factors. Those lines and wrinkles tell more than our age, sometimes they lie— giving the world cues that don’t necessarily align with the heart or one’s intentions.
The aesthetic medical experts at Elevate at Alaska Women’s Health want to help you put your best face forward. We offer Alaska’s finest skills in non-surgical facial rejuvenation including BOTOX and Juvéderm.
Call Elevate today and schedule a consultation. We look forward to customizing a treatment plan tailored specifically for you!
Are All Wrinkles Created Equally?
Wrinkles may seem like an unfortunate fact of life. Who would have thought that being a grown up could be so much fun? Just as different people show signs of aging differently, wrinkles come in different forms with their own unique causes.
That’s why it’s important to trust your skin to medical professionals who are knowledgeable about holistic healthcare and best medical aesthetic procedures. Below we will discuss the different kinds of wrinkles and what you can do slow down and even reverse the damage caused by the aging process.
Dynamic Expression Lines
All your facial expressions are created by muscle movement, and those muscles are connected to your skin. When skin is young, supple and rich in both collagen and elastin, it bounces back easily. However, as we age, those lines that are created when we smile, frown, scowl or worry tend to take up residence. The more you exercise those same expressions, the greater the odds of developing dynamic expression lines that remain visible even after you change positions or the emotion has long passed.
BOTOX is typically the top choice for addressing expression lines. As BOTOX is injected into the skin, it paralyzes the muscle to prevent the muscle movement that caused the wrinkle. Read more about BOTOX and the growing trend among men here.
Elastotic Wrinkles
Skin elasticity refers to the ability for skin to bounce back. Elastotic wrinkles are caused by a loss of elastic structure within the skin, primarily due to sun exposure. Creases are commonly seen on the base of your neck, cheeks and upper lip. They are best prevented by a good skincare regime, sunscreen and avoidance of excess solar exposure.
Gravitational Wrinkles
Gravity is one of those things we tend to take for granted. Surely most of us are thankful to be safely grounded to the earth and not be spinning into outer space, if we take time to think about it. But gravity is not always our friend, and gravity multiplied by time usually equals wrinkles.
Sagging skin and gravitational wrinkles are basically due to deflation and correction is usually aimed at re-inflating affected areas. Dermal fillers like Botox and Juvéderm are excellent choices for these types of wrinkles. Hydration and an excellent skin care regime are beneficial as well.
Compression Wrinkles
Who doesn’t love a good face plant deep into their pillow? Unfortunately, squishing your face for 8 hours while sleeping compresses the skin causing lines to develop. It may seem like a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep. Nonetheless, those lines tend become even more pronounced as we age. Sleeping on your back or using the patented JuveRest Pillow can help alleviate pressure and prevent lines. While dermal fillers such as Juvéderm or Botox can improve appearance of already existing lines.
For women, the same is true regarding the décolletage. When sleeping, especially on one’s side, the breasts may fold, or the weight of the breasts may pull. Over time, lines and wrinkles may develop. At Elevate, we want to help you feel confident, whether you are donning that little black dress or a bathing suit.
Call us today and we’ll help you achieve your beautiful skin goals.
Atrophic Crinkling Rhytids
Atrophic wrinkles are similar to Elastotic wrinkles in that they are characterized by a loss of the structure of the skin itself. Lack of collagen or thinning of the skin make these wrinkles more difficult to correct. Use of a good, hydrating skincare regimen packed with nutrients and hyaluronic acid can be helpful in rebuilding the skin’s foundation, as well as a healthy, power-packed diet. Dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm, whose main ingredient is hyaluronic acid, is an excellent choice for combating Atrophic wrinkles.
Turning Back the Clock
Turning back the hands of time is a multi-billion dollar business. While there is no true fountain of youth to book your next extended vacay, there are plenty of skincare lines on the market, as well as surgical and non-surgical procedures. The use of high-quality skincare products is a great foundation for promoting healthy skin, when mixed with healthy habits that will be discussed below. But topical skincare treatments are likened to playing a slow game and generally can only go so far in achieving your skincare goals. On the other end of the spectrum lie surgical procedures, such as facelifts and dermal implants, which can be costly, riskier and typically require extensive recovery time.
Dermal Fillers: Botox and Juvéderm
At Elevate, our expertise lies in the middle with non-surgical medical aesthetics services. Our specialty of course is BOTOX and Juvéderm, both of which deliver outstanding results through minimally invasive procedures for a fraction of the cost compared to other surgical options.
Both BOTOX and Juvéderm are considered dermal fillers, which are carefully injected into the skin. Elevate’s skilled medical professionals will help explain the differences and determine which procedure is best for you. In the most simplistic terms, BOTOX prevents the muscle from contracting, which in turns prevents the wrinkle from forming. Juvéderm, on the hand, actually fills in or plumps up the wrinkle with the use of hyaluronic acid.
Here are our top tips for preventing and treating wrinkles beyond fillers.
Hydration
The body consists of about 60% water, which is absolutely critical for flushing out toxins and promoting health. When skin is dehydrated, fine lines appear, and toxins store up leaving a person to looked aged and tired. We recommend passing on those sugary sodas and limiting lattes and alcoholic beverages. Instead, commit to drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. Adding lemon or cucumber can help make it feel more like a treat.
A good rule of thumb for determining how much water to drink is this:
Body Weight divided by 2 equals the number of ounces you should drink each day.
If you weigh 140 pounds, divide that number in half. 140 divided by 2 equals 70. Your recommended daily dose of water equals 70 ounces.
Enjoy Regular Beauty Sleep
There’s good reason behind the term “beauty sleep.” The body heals while you sleep, and that includes your skin. When the body is at rest, energy can be diverting to the areas needed most for healing and rejuvenation. Good sleep hygiene is extremely important for health and well being. Just be sure to avoid face-planting into your pillow!
Protect from Sun Exposure
Alaskans love sunny days, especially after enduring winter’s darkness and long stretches of overcast days. However, exposure to UV rays, whether directly from the sun or your local tanning salon, can be super damaging to your skin. We all need vitamin D and enjoy taking advantage of sunny days. But be sure to use sunscreen as a first line of defense against harmful UV rays. In the summer months, trade in that wooly-pully ski hat for a ballcap or wide-brimmed hat to keep your skin safe from overexposure.
Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out
You’ve heard it said, “you are what you eat.” Just as our face is the canvas that displays our emotions, our skin is a reflection of our diet. Fortunately for Alaskans, our bountiful land provides us with wild game, fish and vegetation that others in the Lower 48 only dream about. Eating a well- balanced diet rich in antioxidants, like salmon and blueberries, is a great way to keep your skin healthy.
Avoiding sugary processed foods is important too. In fact, recent studies show that sugar triggers the production of advanced glycation end product (AGE) in your bloodstream. AGE is appropriately named because it damages collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for keeping your skin supple and firm.
Reduce Stress
Yes, stress kills, although usually slowly while leaving indelible marks on our souls and bodies. Stress puts undue strain on the skin and other vital organs. And if our sleep is disturbed by stress, it can be difficult to recover. Stress causes us to frown, scowl and worry—all of which can cause wrinkles. Developing healthy habits and tools for stress reduction are important for your overall well-being, including your skin.
Ready to Get Started?
There’s never been a better time to begin your journey to healthy, beautiful skin and the medical professionals at Elevate at Alaska Women’s Health are here to help you achieve your skincare goals. Our approach to medical aesthetics is holistic and luxurious, and all injections are performed by skilled experts with nursing or medical backgrounds.
Call Elevate today and let us help you fall in love with your skin!
