One of the inevitable parts of living is aging. Despite our desires, we cannot live without growing older. Wrinkles are a (frustrating) and well, predictable sign of a life well-lived.

Collagen is found in the dermal layer of the skin. Comprised of fibers of protein that, along with elastin, collagen gives strength, support, and resilience to the skin. As we age, collagen production begins to slow down. For some people, this can happen as early as their thirties. The strains of collagen that were once abundant in number begin to break up and decrease in number. This, along with the day-to-day activity of facial muscles and sun damage, contribute to the formation of facial wrinkles. If one is a tobacco user, this will also contribute to visible wrinkles, especially around the mouth.

First and foremost, there is nothing wrong with wrinkles. For that matter, there are many out there who don’t mind their wrinkles and don’t want to spend money or time smoothing them out or making them disappear. However, others are less content with these unwanted lines in their face and desire to make them much less visible.

There are many lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding sun exposure and cessation of tobacco use that could help reduce the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, there are numerous non-invasive treatments for wrinkles such as laser treatments, chemical peels, tissue filler injections, and injections of botulinum toxin or what is more commonly known as Botox injections.

Botox injections work best with dynamic wrinkles. These are the types of wrinkles that appear due to repetitive facial muscle use. For example, dynamic wrinkles will appear as a result of smiling, squinting, frowning, or other repetitive facial motions. The other type of wrinkles, static wrinkles, remain while your face is relaxed, and these are best treated with a combination of other treatments, including dermal fillers. Static wrinkles are also commonly treated with topical treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, micro-needling, and laser resurfacing. This is not to say that Botox will not work on static wrinkles; however, it is commonly more successful in treating dynamic wrinkles due too how the injections react with the muscles in the face.

Treatment of wrinkles using Botox is not without the risk of some side effects. It is important to do your research and ensure that the provider performing your injections is trained and experienced in the process. At Solara Skin & Laser Center in Anchorage, Alaska, our highly trained skincare professionals have many years of experience and understand the benefits and risks of Botox Injections. If you are curious about how Botox may be able to help with your skincare needs, contact Solara Skin & Laser Center.

Many people think wrinkles are all the same. However, there are actually different types of wrinkles. Below are seven different types of facial wrinkles that are treated by using botulinum toxin injections.

Glabellar Lines

Treatment of glabellar lines is the most common cosmetic use of Botox injections. The glabella is the patch of skin between the eyebrows just above the nose. Sometimes called the “11”, the glabellar lines are the vertical lines that develop due to frowning, scowling, or focusing while listening or reading.

Crow’s Feet

Crow’s feet are wrinkles that branch out from the outer corners of the eyes. Crow’s feet are one of the static wrinkles which can be treated with Botox. They are considered static because they occur both in the presence of and in the absence of smiling, although they often appear the most pronounced when smiling. Unlike wrinkles or expression lines on other areas of the face, crow’s feet can appear to look deeper and more prominent on the skin. The most common causes of crow’s feet include UV exposure and the loss of collagen and elasticity that comes with aging. Crow’s feet are the second most frequent type of wrinkles treated with Botox.

Forehead Wrinkles

The frontalis muscle is the large facial muscle that spreads across the forehead. It is the muscle that helps us raise our eyebrows and scowl. When the frontalis muscle contracts, the brow lifts, and forehead lines appear. Forehead wrinkles are dynamic wrinkles as they become more prominent due to frequent muscle use.

Bunny Lines

Bunny Lines occur on the bridge of the nose between the eyes. Bunny lines, if not treated in conjunction with glabellar lines or crow’s feet, can become more prominent after Botox treatments for other forms of wrinkles. Consequently, when people have Botox treatments for glabellar lines or crow’s feet, they often return to treat bunny lines.

Lipstick Lines

Lipstick lines (also known as perioral lines) are vertical lines that appear above the upper lip. The formation of lipstick lines has several factors. Some of the most common include heredity, puckering, and smoking.

Marionette Lines

Marionette lines are the vertical wrinkles that begin at the corners of the mouth and branch downwards towards the chin. They are referred to as marionette lines because they resemble the borders of the jaw portion of a marionette doll. These lines are often treated with a combination of Botox injections and dermal fillers.

Chin Dimpling

Chin dimpling results in an orange peel appearance on the skin. Some people also refer to chin dimpling as “golf ball chin” due to the similarities between the surface of a golf ball and the deeper dimples on the chin. Similar to marionette lines, smoothing chin dimpling often requires the use of bot Botox and dermal fillers.

Botox injections have been used for decades safely, and most who receive them are quite happy with the results. It is important to note that Botox is a temporary treatment, often lasting for four to six months, at which point repeat injections are necessary to maintain desired results. As with any medical treatment, Botox does have a risk of side effects (mostly short-term) that should be discussed with your skincare professional at Solara Skin & Laser Center before receiving injections. If you are interested in Botox, please call Solara Skin & Laser Center today to make an appointment with a specialist for an evaluation and to learn about your options.