Fine Lines and Wrinkles: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to skin aging, many men and women are worried about the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Apart from being the most visible signs of aging, these two can also betray your age and make you look older.

Although many people use the terms fine lines and wrinkles interchangeably, they are not exactly the same. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between these two and how you can lessen their appearance. 

Fine Lines

Fine lines are little, shallow creases that form on or around the area where facial movement is common. It can also appear anywhere on the face, particularly on areas with thin and delicate skin. We tend to notice these lines around the eyes and mouth, as the skin in these areas is thin and moves a lot with facial expressions. 

The natural breakdown of collagen and elastin due to aging are the main cause of fine lines. There are also factors at play such as genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and lifestyle habits. The appearance of these lines is also associated with repetitive facial expressions such as smiling, squinting, and frowning. 

Fine lines are less than 1 mm in width and depth and are related to the first signs of aging. These creases can then become deeper and develop into wrinkles or deeper folds over time.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles are deeper and more noticeable than fine lines. They are considered as untreated fine lines that occur in the later stage of life. It can appear not only on your face, but also on your neck, chest, hands, elbows, and knees. Wrinkles are mostly caused by muscle contractions that happen under the skin.

While wrinkles are a natural part of aging, sun exposure plays a major role in its formation. This is because UV rays break down the collagen and elastin fibers that give your skin structure and strength. Other factors that contribute to wrinkling include repetitive facial expressions, smoking, and dehydration.

Creases or folds that are are more than 2 mm deep are considered wrinkles. There are also two common types of them: dynamic and static.

• Dynamic wrinkles: These appear when your make an expression (squint, frown, smile), but then disappear when you relax your face. So if you, for example, frown and see skin wrinkling on your forehead and between the brows but then disappear after relaxing your face, you have dynamic wrinkles.
• Static wrinkles. These refer to folds and creases that linger even when your face is relaxed. If you, for instance, see lines on your forehead or between your brows even when you relax your face, you have static wrinkles.

Here Are Your Treatment Options

Dermal fillers

For facial lines or fine lines around the eyes, dermal fillers are worth considering. These injectables are used for filling in lost volume to different areas of the face for a more refreshed and youthful look. 

At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we use fillers made from hyaluronic acid or HA (Juvederm) and calcium-based microspheres (Radiesse). Both of these ingredients are naturally found or present in the body, making them safe and effective.

• HA-based fillers or Juvederm – These are used to improve fine lines, nasolabial folds (lines at the corner of the nose and mouth), and eye bags. Juvederm can also plump up the lips, add volume in the cheeks, and increase the height of the nose bridge without surgery.
• Calcium-based fillers or Radiesse – These can plump up the skin and replenish lost volume over time. It can also improve facial lines, add volume to the cheeks, and fill both the lips and nasolabial folds. Radiesse is also a “bio-stimulator” that can stimulate your body to produce collagen over time.

Depending on the amount of filler needed, the treatment can take about 30 to 90 minutes and the results can be seen almost immediately. The fillers may also last between 9 and 18 months, but this will still depend on the type of fillers used.

Juvederm Volite

Juvederm Volite is an innovative anti-aging injectable treatment that is used as a skin booster. It is made of hyaluronic acid (HA), which can help improve skin’s hydration and elasticity, as well as remove fine lines. This can be used on the face, neck, décolletage, and hands.

This injectable also stimulates the body’s natural collagen to improve skin quality. Studies showed that results can last up to nine months and provide significant improvement in skin quality for up to six months, eliminating the need for multiple treatments.

You may be able to notice plumping effects after the procedure, but full results are visible after two weeks. There may also be possible pinpoint bruises and needle-marks in the treatment areas that can last five to seven days following the procedure. 

You can check out our previous post to find out how Juvederm Volite differs from typical dermal fillers. 

Botulinum Toxin (or Botox)

Botulinum toxin (or more commonly known as the brand Botox) remains the most popular treatment for wrinkles. This injectable is FDA approved for treating forehead lines, wrinkles in the corner of the eyes, and frown lines in between the brows.

Botox works by temporarily blocking the signal from a nerve to a muscle to relax the wrinkles. This makes Botox ideal for lines formed due to muscle contractions usually caused by smiling, squinting or frowning. You can also turn to Botox to correct lines around the lips and neck and lift droopy eyelids or eyebrows.

Keep in mind that results will not appear immediately. It may take about two weeks to see the full effects of the treatment. The results may last for about three to six months, but they tend to last longer with repeated or touch-up treatments. This is because the muscles become less prominent.

Botox can also be combined with dermal fillers, especially if you have static wrinkles or deep facial lines. The combination of both treatments can give you a longer lasting result that looks natural. 

What You Should Take Note

While both dermal fillers and Botox are safe and FDA-cleared, they are still medical procedures that should only be done by skilled and experienced injectors or aesthetic doctors. Injecting these gels requires careful technique, attention to detail, and artistic skills to get natural-looking results and avoid complications.

Check out our previous blog to learn the things you need to know before getting Botulinum Toxin in Singapore.

To find out if you’re a good candidate for these injectables, contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctors in Singapore, who are experienced in injecting fillers and Botox.