SPA SERVICES: Smoothing Deep Wrinkles

Birth of a Wrinkle

All skincare practitioners know what happens to skin as we age: It becomes less elastic and more fragile; it receives less natural oil from the body, which dries it; fat in the deeper levels of skin diminishes, leading to sagging and looseness. And as all of this happens, folds and creases begin to appear on the face, neck, arms and hands—interestingly, the parts of the body most subjected to the elements. The whole process radically breaks down the skin’s connective tissue, causing it to lose strength and flexibility.

“Simply put, deep wrinkles are scars,” says Dr. Charlene DeHaven, clinical director, Innovative Skincare. “Sun exposure causes free radical damage, resulting in inflammation. As the body attempts to heal, scarring results, first on a microscopic scale and then visibly. Deep wrinkles are the result.”

“Wrinkles are caused by both extrinsic and intrinsic elements,” says Danielle Tsoklis, director of education and development for Silhouet-Tone. “Sun damage will result in surface damage such as pigmentation and rougher texture. Intrinsic damage runs deeper evidenced by loss of dermal density and muscle tone.”
Repeated facial movements and expressions also contribute to wrinkles. “Progressive changes to the skin through continual muscle movement like smiling will result in deeper structural damage,” Tsoklis says. “Each time a facial muscle is used, it wears down the skin’s ability to spring back into place.”

Women tend to develop more wrinkles around their mouths than do men. According to the Mayo Clinic, this may be because women have fewer sweat glands and fewer glands that produce oily sebum to lubricate the skin. The Mayo Clinic also considers smoking—which changes the blood supply to the skin—and poor nutrition primary causes of wrinkles. Genetics may also play a role.