Whole Beauty® Institute

Not all wrinkles are the same. Knowing where wrinkles and lines are located and what causes them to form can help you determine which cosmetic treatment will be best suited for minimizing them. For years, BOTOX® has been considered a gold standard for creating a more youthful face in Chicago. Plastic surgery is ideal for changing facial contours, but when it comes to smoothing out forehead creases caused by facial muscle contractions, injectables can be a good choice for patients who are not ready for a lift.

With that in mind, it is important to understand that muscle relaxers only work on certain signs of aging. Here’s a basic rundown of each wrinkle type and which treatment works best to address it:

Dynamic Wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles are found on the upper third of the face, on and around the forehead. They also tend to develop close to the mouth area. Some common examples are expression wrinkles, such as tiny lines called crow’s feet at the sides of the eyes, vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, bunny lines, and lipstick lines. These form over time due to habitual, repeated facial expressions like frowning and squinting, which cause skin to stretch out, but not easily return to its smooth, unlined state. Dynamic wrinkles are most visible when the face is in motion.

The best way of tackling this subgroup of wrinkles is with wrinkle relaxers. This category, also referred to as neuromodulators or injectable neurotoxins, includes BOTOX®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®. These prescription medications temporarily inhibit activity to relax muscles attached to the skin, which makes the skin stay at rest and appear smooth and refreshed.

Static Wrinkles

Most other wrinkles in the face are considered static wrinkles. These are permanent creases that occur due to a loss or breakdown of beneficial skin elements, such as collagen and elastin, that are needed for maintaining the strength and elasticity of the skin. Chronological aging, an unhealthy lifestyle, and exposure to damaging external factors like excess UV radiation from sunlight are some of the main causes behind these lines.

The elastic wrinkles on the cheeks and lips from sun damage and marionette lines between the mouth and chin from collagen loss are static wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid-based gel fillers like Juvederm® and Restylane® decrease the depth of these wrinkles on the central and lower part of the face by adding volume below the skin.

BOTOX® and fillers are less invasive alternatives to traditional plastic surgery for attaining a younger appearance. Keep in mind that both options have effects that wear off over time, typically months.

To schedule a consultation at Whole Beauty® Institute, call us at 312-751-2112 (Chicago Gold Coast office), 847-446-7562 (North Shore (Winnetka) Office), or submit a contact form online.