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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Medical Symptoms > Wrinkles: Treatment & Monitoring
      Category : Health Centers > Skin Conditions

Wrinkles

Alternate Names : Rhytids

Wrinkles | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring | Attribution


What are the treatments for the symptom?

Wrinkles do not need to be treated unless the person wishes to eliminate them for cosmetic reasons. For fine wrinkles, retinoic acid may be applied to the skin to fill in the crevices.

Wrinkles may also be treated by a number of procedures, such as the following:

  • topical creams and ointments, such as tretinoin or alphahydroxyl acids (AHAs), which peel off top layers of skin
  • chemical peels to remove wrinkled layers, such as the application of lactic, glycolic, or salicylic acids
  • dermabrasion, a procedure that sands away the top layers of skin
  • injection of substances such as fat or collagen, which is a gelatin-like substance, under the skin
  • laser surgery, which removes layers of skin. This procedure is used especially for wrinkles around the eyes.
  • botulinum toxin, which is used for wrinkles between the eyebrows and around the eyes. The toxin is injected into the muscle that caused the wrinkle. It paralyzes the muscle, so that the wrinkles gradually disappear when the muscle isn't used.
  • What are the side effects of the treatments?

    The more likely the treatment is to help wrinkling, the more likely it is to have side effects. Side effects can include:

  • color changes in the skin
  • redness
  • skin scarring
  • Topical products can cause irritation that looks and feels like chapping. Injectable substances can cause allergic reactions.

    What happens after treatment for the symptom?

    Sometimes the treatment for wrinkles results in skin that looks markedly smoother and younger. Other times, improvement of the wrinkles can be minimal and temporary.

    How is the symptom monitored?

    Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.


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    Wrinkles: Prevention & Expectations

     

    Wrinkles: Attribution

    Author: Lynn West, MD
    Reviewer: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
    Date Reviewed: 07/27/01









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    Page Last Updated: 30th May, 2006