Though wrinkles are universally frustrating, they’re not all alike: Wrinkles are divided into two distinct categories—static and dynamic—based on how they form. Dynamic wrinkles only become visible when we laugh, smile, or frown, whereas static wrinkles are always present.
Dynamic wrinkles usually show up earlier in life; most people start to notice these telltale creases by age 35. Static wrinkles are more likely to form when collagen loss becomes more advanced, typically during a person’s 40s or 50s.
Identifying Static and Dynamic Wrinkles
Knowing how to recognize static and dynamic wrinkles is important because each type of crease requires a different treatment. Likewise, some evidence suggests that detecting and treating dynamic wrinkles early may help to delay the formation of static wrinkles.
Dynamic wrinkles are caused by a combination of collagen depletion and muscle movement. As collagen levels decline, the skin becomes looser and less elastic; this makes it prone to puckering and folding when the muscles below it are flexed. Dynamic wrinkles typically include crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and smile lines.
Static wrinkles are caused by advanced collagen loss and may be exacerbated by UV damage, smoking, and exposure to environmental toxins. These lines form when the skin becomes too thin and weak to withstand the pressures of normal movement. Static wrinkles can be likened to “stress fractures” in the uppermost layer of the skin: Over time, these lines become permanently etched in areas where the skin has been repeatedly stretched or creased.
Static wrinkles eventually form in most areas where dynamic wrinkles are present. They also tend to show up in places not typically affected by dynamic wrinkles, like the neck and cheeks. Some of the most common examples of static wrinkles include deep nasolabial folds and “necklace lines” around the neck.
Treating Static and Dynamic Wrinkles
Dynamic wrinkles are usually treated with a neuromodulator, like BOTOX®. BOTOX® injections temporarily relax the small groups of muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles, effectively making them vanish overnight. Repeated BOTOX® injections may also delay the formation of static wrinkles by reducing stress on the skin. Most experts therefore recommend starting BOTOX® injections around age 30, before dynamic wrinkles have a chance to imprint on the skin.
Static wrinkles, on the other hand, need to be literally “filled in.” Injectable dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid (HA) gel are ideal for this purpose: HA elevates and smooths away deep creases while also stimulating the production of fresh collagen. This new collagen attracts water molecules to the skin’s surface and rebuilds damaged skin cells and connective tissue. After repeated dermal filler treatments, the skin becomes fuller, stronger, and more wrinkle-resistant.
Learn More About Injectables
BOTOX® and dermal fillers can be administered comfortably and conveniently in our office, and neither treatment requires any downtime. After one quick lunchtime appointment, most patients see a dramatic reduction in the number of facial lines they have. To learn more about these treatments and how they can help you, contact our team of skincare experts at 847-205-1680.
