Fine lines are an inevitable part of the ageing process but, understandably, they can get you down, especially when they start to become ingrained and permanent. Often, patients will come to us for help because their face has started to sag or wrinkle and people have started to comment that they look sad, angry or surprised.
For so many of us, our actual age doesn’t reflect how we feel inside, so looking our best on the outside is all part and parcel of supporting ourselves to feel confident and live life to the full.
Both genetics and lifestyle factors have a part to play in the ageing process. Whilst you can’t choose your genes, you can alter your lifestyle to prioritise your skin.
It all starts with good health, of course, so avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water will help keep your skin in good condition. You should also invest in a good skincare regime ensuring you cleanse every day, take off your make-up before bed and use a moisturiser which suits your skin type. Of course, protecting your skin from the sun is also an important way to protect yourself from premature ageing, so wear sunscreen or a moisturiser with SPF year-round.
With these foundations in place, there are a number of options you can consider to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Early treatment is the best way to keep wrinkles at bay, but even if your lines are now relatively deep, it’s still possible to smooth them out with surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Surgical or non-surgical wrinkle treatments?
Our surgeons will assess your skin, understand what results you’d like to achieve and then advise whether non-surgical or surgical treatments will meet your needs.
Non-surgical wrinkle treatments
Anti-wrinkle injections
This involves the placement of a minute quantity of Botulinum toxin into the muscles that cause wrinkling to temporarily halt the nerve signals. This makes the muscle relax which means the wrinkles become smoother and less pronounced. The effects usually last three to four months though if you have repeated treatments the effects can become more long-lasting.
Facial fillers
We use temporary dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid which help to restore a more youthful plumpness. The most common areas of treatment include the nasolabial folds between the mouth and the nose, the lines extending out from the lips and vertical lines around the mouth. They can also be used to contour the cheeks and chin if you’re experiencing a loss of volume in these areas.
Surgical wrinkle treatments
There are a number of surgical options for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
You can opt for a full or mini facelift. The full procedure will lift and tighten the jowls, loose skin and crow’s feet as well as the lines that appear around the mouth, nose and forehead. The mini procedure, as the name suggests, is more limited in scope and will address the lower third of your face – jawline, cheek and the upper neck to an extent.
In some instances, a facelift is combined with a neck lift, which is helpful if the skin around your neck has become loose and sagging. If the eyes are your age give-away, eyelid surgery can be used to remove loose skin and reduce under-eye bags. If your forehead is the main concern, a brow lift may be the right option for you, either as a stand-alone treatment or carried out in conjunction with other procedures.
If you would like to explore treatments that will help to reduce the signs of ageing the first step is to book an initial consultation with one of our surgeons. That way you can get first-hand advice and the answers to your questions, enabling you to make an informed decision about what’s right for you.