Managing Facial Wrinkles

Fine wrinkles begin to appear in our thirties and are often the result of excessive sun exposure, which breaks down the collagen and elastin in our skin. Continued facial movement such as frowning or squinting also tends to add to permanent expression lines, or wrinkles, into the face.

Chemical peel, or chemosurgery, is one technique for restoring wrinkled, scarred, or blemished facial skin to a more normal appearance.

Laser facial resurfacing, utilizing a CO2 laser, is a newer method of removing fine and deep wrinkles. The procedure takes around one hour usually under a general or local anesthesia. Afterwards, the face may be covered with a protective dressing for two to five days, then followed by a topical ointment. Redness takes a few weeks to subside, but make-up may be used in approximately 7 to 10 days and then the patient can go out. Sun protection with a sun screen is critical afterwards.

The face will have a more youthful, smoother appearance.