What Are Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
As we age, one of the most visible changes in our skin is the development of wrinkles. These lines and folds occur due to a combination of internal biological changes and external environmental factors that affect the structure and function of the skin over time. Understanding what causes wrinkles can help you make informed decisions about prevention and treatment.
What Causes Wrinkles?
First, let’s talk about what’s happening beneath the surface. Our skin is composed of three main layers: the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer), and hypodermis (deepest layer). The dermis contains collagen and elastin—proteins that provide the skin with strength, firmness, and elasticity. In our younger years, these proteins are abundant and well-organized, allowing the skin to stretch and snap back smoothly.
However, as we age, the production of collagen and elastin gradually slows. Starting in our late 20s to early 30s, we begin to lose about 1% of collagen per year. The existing collagen and elastin fibers also become fragmented and less effective. This leads to a weakening of the skin’s structural support, making it thinner, less resilient, and more prone to creases and folds.
Another contributing factor is a decrease in hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring molecule in the skin that helps retain moisture. With aging, hyaluronic acid levels decline, resulting in dryness and a loss of volume and plumpness, which makes fine lines more prominent.
Subcutaneous fat, which provides youthful fullness to the face, also diminishes and shifts with age. This fat loss leads to sagging skin and deeper wrinkles, particularly around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth.
External factors play a major role in the wrinkling process—most notably, sun exposure. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin in the skin through a process called photoaging. Over time, this damage accumulates and accelerates the wrinkling process. That’s why people with high lifetime sun exposure often develop deeper lines and leathery texture, particularly in sun-exposed areas like the face, neck, and hands.
Lifestyle choices also matter. Smoking, for example, restricts blood flow to the skin and delivers toxins that damage collagen and elastin. Repeated facial expressions (like frowning or squinting) contribute as well, as the skin loses its ability to rebound from those repetitive movements. Poor sleep, high stress, poor hydration and an unbalanced diet lacking in antioxidants can further impair the skin’s ability to repair and maintain itself.
How Do We Treat Fine Lines and Wrinkles at Esslinger Medical and Aesthetics?
Wrinkles form due to a combination of natural aging, loss of structural proteins, decreased moisture retention, fat redistribution, and environmental damage—especially from sun exposure and smoking. While we can’t stop time, we can take steps to slow these changes and support skin health through sun protection, a healthy lifestyle, and, if desired, medical treatments such as topical retinoids, laser therapy, or injectable options that restore volume and stimulate collagen.
Key treatments to consider:
- Potenza RF microneedling
- LaseMD Ultra
- TempSure RF
- PRXt33
- Toxin/Neuromodulators
- Medical-grade skin care
Visit Us for the Best Fine Line and Wrinkle Treatments in Northwest Georgia
If you are in or around northwest Georgia and looking to acquire a more youthful appearance without surgery, contact our team at Esslinger Medical and Aesthetics to discuss our treatment options. Contact us at (470) 888-6543 or by submitting the form below.
