Questions:
Why do wrinkles develop?
What treatments are available for wrinkles?

Why do wrinkles develop?
The appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging are inevitable as we get older. Gravity, repetitive facial movements, sleep lines, and especially sun damage eventually lead to the appearance of what we perceive as aging skin. Indeed, sunlight is the major contributor to the formation of cutaneous signs of aging. The formation of discolored areas on the skin, a sallow or yellowish complexion, and "broken" blood vessels are among the earliest signs of photo aging. Over time, fine lines develop, particularly around the eyes and mouth, and eventually more diffusely the cheeks and forehead regions. Smile lines and frown lines develop from repeated folding of the skin from facial expressions.

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What treatments are available for wrinkles?
Multiple treatments are available for the treatment of wrinkles depending on the type, severity, and location of the wrinkles. The physicians at Advanced Dermatology Associates can tailor a facial rejuvenation program to meet your specific needs. For patients with less severe signs of aging, treatment with topical medications such as Retin-A™, Renova™, alpha hydroxy acids, and antioxidants may give gratifying results. Additionally, the use of salicylic or glycolic acid peels can enhance the effect of the topicals with minimal disruption of your daily routine. Those patients with more severe changes or who would like to pursue a more aggressive approach can be more effectively treated with deeper "TCA" peels or laser resurfacing. While both of these procedures require several days for healing, they are both in-office procedures and produce a more dramatic result. Some patients have localized areas of wrinkle formation along the smile lines or the frown lines. Techniques using dermal fillers or Botox injections can be extremely useful for treating these limited areas of involvement.