How do we get wrinkles?
Most of us don’t think too much about wrinkles until one day we look in the mirror and see a line we hadn’t noticed before. How did it get there? Why did it suddenly show up overnight? More importantly, what can we do about it?
The skin is one of the most active organs in the body, covering a lot of functions and has a lot of different structures. So one way to answer these questions is to take a look microscopically into the 3 main layers of the skin … which can help explain how wrinkles occur.
The Epidermis
In the outermost layer of the skin, which is called the epidermis, there is a continual growth of the deepest basal cells. This pushes the outer cells towards the surface, and as this happens they gradually become smaller and flatter until they reach the outermost layer as dead flat flakes. This whole cycle may take a month when we’re younger, but tends to slow down as we age. This thicker and somewhat less supple layer can lead to dryness and fine wrinkles.
The Dermis
As we look deeper into the skin, past this outer epidermal layer, we find the dermis. Here there are a number of structures, but most importantly there are different cells, called fibroblasts which produce fibres we call collagen and elastin. Collagen is well known in many parts of the body to provide a supportive and cushioning effect. It almost acts like some of the scaffolding of the skin. Elastin, on the other hand, as its name suggests, contributes the property of elasticity, helping the skin to spring back into shape after being stretched.
Over time, due to many factors, there is loss of integrity of the collagen and elastin in the dermis of your skin. Things like UV light from the sun, decreased circulation and nutrition, increased toxins and free radicals all contribute.
The Subcutaneous layer or Hypodermis
Beneath the Dermis is the subcutaneous or hypodermis layer. Here there are mainly fat cells and some collagen. As we age a lot of the fat cells in this layer diminish and move downwards due to the effects of gravity. This can contribute to wrinkles by diminishing the amount plumping out of the skin given naturally by this layer.
What are our options in treating wrinkles?
One of the biggest factors in treating wrinkles is prevention. Our lifestyle including balanced diet and exercise will contribute to better hydrated skin, with a healthy blood flow and better functioning which always leads to healthier looking skin.
Nevertheless, we’re all exposed to various levels of stress and the inevitable effects of aging. These days there are so many approaches that can help us win the battle with wrinkles.
Exfoliation
As the epidermis slows down as we age, it can be helpful to create a routine that helps to slough off some of the outer layer of dead skin cells. Various treatment we offer as Ozmedica achieve this, and are combined with nourishing treatments that help to bring nutrients to the cells that can now be more easily accessed.
We have a range of the latest treatment at Ozmedica for this purpose, and they include:
Dermasweep, Epidermal leveling, Microdermabrasion, and various Chemical peels. You can check out these treatments here:
Nourishment
To assist your skin cells to rejuvenate more effectively, and produce healthier collagen and elastin, it makes sense to deliver them the best ingredients. We have a range of treatments that are combined with our exfoliation procedures, to make sure your cells can be nourished from the outside.
Laser and Light therapies
The beauty of laser and light is they can be used more efficiently to target deeper and specific areas. In relation to wrinkles we have seen many beneficial results based on rejuvenating the cells in the deeper layers of the epidermis and dermis. Your clinician is able to give you are more detailed explanation of how this might apply to you, but you can read more about Laser therapies here.
