What are wrinkles?
Wrinkles are skin folds gradually appearing over the years. They reflect age-related structural changes, but appearance and severity vary considerably between individuals.
Over time, skin loses firmness and elasticity. This loss of tone results from gradually reduced collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production – three components essential to suppleness and density. Skin also becomes thinner, less hydrated and less resistant to repeated muscle contractions. This creates variably pronounced folds: wrinkles. Although integral to natural ageing, their appearance can be slowed or reduced through suitable preventive aesthetic medicine.
What causes wrinkles?
Wrinkles result from combined biological and environmental mechanisms. Ageing can be divided into two broad categories:
- Internal causes linked to genetics and natural bodily function. Over years, renewal slows, sebaceous glands produce less sebum and dermal regeneration decreases. Weakened support structures cause gradual laxity.
- External causes mainly related to lifestyle and environmental stressors.
Some factors significantly accelerate ageing:
- Chronic stress, increasing free radical production and impairing cellular repair.
- Hormonal changes, particularly menopause, causing thinner skin and increased dehydration.
- Smoking, reducing oxygenation and weakening collagen fibres.
- Pollution, promoting ongoing micro-inflammation.
- An unbalanced diet, insufficient hydration or lack of sleep, reducing regenerative capacity.
Over time, accumulated factors weaken structure and encourage earlier wrinkles.
Aesthetic medicine to correct and prevent wrinkles
Aesthetic medicine now offers effective, safe solutions to reduce wrinkles and restore a rested, rejuvenated appearance without surgery.
The most common treatments use two main injection families: botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid. Although mechanisms and indications differ, both aim to restore balance, radiance and freshness without changing features.
Hyaluronic acid: wrinkle reduction and hydration
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body. Its main role is maintaining dermal hydration and structure. Production decreases over time, causing volume loss and dryness.
In aesthetic medicine, injections can:
- Fill static wrinkles mainly in the lower face (nasolabial folds, marionette lines, mouth contours).
- Restore fullness to lips or cheekbones.
- Improve skin quality and radiance.
- Correct certain facial asymmetries or irregularities.
After injection, hyaluronic acid attracts and retains tissue water, creating an immediate filling effect. Longer term, it also stimulates endogenous collagen production, improving quality.
Results are natural and generally last between 9 and 18 months according to product and area. Treatment can be repeated to prolong effects.
Botulinum toxin: smoothing expression lines
Botulinum toxin has been used for decades to reduce muscle-contraction wrinkles. It temporarily blocks transmission between nerve and muscle, partially relaxing it.
Contrary to common misconceptions, it does not “paralyse” the face; it softens overactive areas while preserving movement and spontaneous expressions.
Indications are forehead lines, frown lines (between eyebrows) and crow's feet (around eyes).
Injections are quick, without anaesthesia or social downtime. Effects develop over days and settle around the second week. Skin looks smoother and eyes more open. Effects average 4 to 6 months.
Combining anti-wrinkle injections
In most aesthetic treatments, combining botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid provides comprehensive rejuvenation.
Botulinum toxin relaxes muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles, while hyaluronic acid restores volume and corrects static wrinkles. This provides natural, balanced, lasting results without changing features.
Caring for your skin daily
Injections do not replace a healthy lifestyle or suitable skincare. To prolong effects, recommendations include:
- Apply sun protection daily.
- Maintain good internal and external hydration.
- Use care rich in hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins.
- Limit smoking and alcohol, which oxidise skin cells.
- Get restorative sleep and eat a varied diet rich in omega 3 and essential micronutrients.
These simple measures actively prevent ageing and prolong medical results.
Summary
Wrinkles do not simply reflect passing time; they result from physiological and environmental mechanisms now partly controllable.
Through botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections, aesthetic medicine offers personalised, safe, effective treatments to soften wrinkles, restore volume and delay ageing effects.
With a gentle, natural approach, these techniques restore a radiant, expressive, harmonious face, reflecting beauty preserved without artificiality.
