7 Non-Surgical Ways To Get Rid Of Wrinkles

 

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Wrinkles are inevitable. Even if you do manage to delay them by moisturising daily and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you’ll likely encounter some fine lines on your face as you get older. 

One effective way to get rid of wrinkles is to undergo cosmetic surgery. But not everyone can (or indeed wants) to go under the knife. Surgery comes with high costs, potential risks and recovery time. It’s definitely not for everyone.

Fortunately, there are alternative options to surgery. If you’re looking for another wrinkle remedy, why not consider 7 of these non-surgical options. 

Retinol

There are many ingredients found in anti-aging topical products that manufacturers claim to reduce wrinkles, however the scientific evidence for many of them is pretty meagre. Retinol is an exception to this. It is a form of vitamin A that has been proven by studies to help synthesise collagen fibres in the skin - helping to treat various skin conditions and reduce fine line wrinkles. The ingredient is typically extracted from meats, but can also be extracted from many plants.

Topical products containing retinol are sometimes referred to as retinoids. They include serums, creams and lotions. Many of these can be bought over the counter at your local cosmetic store or pharmacy.  

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient used in many anti-wrinkle topical products. It is a compound naturally found throughout the body and can be produced in a lab by fermenting bacteria. It may not be as effective an ingredient at reducing wrinkles as retinol, but there is still evidence to prove that it can help fill in wrinkles by making the skin more hydrated and supple.

There are many topical products available over the counter that you can buy which contain hyaluronic acid. These can be safely used with retinol creams for more effective wrinkle reduction. There are even serums that contain both retinol and hyaluronic acid. 

Botulinum injections

Botulinum toxin is a poisonous bacteria that can be naturally found in many soils and plants. This may not seem like an ingredient that you want to inject into your face, but in tiny controlled amounts it can actually be incredibly effective at temporarily getting rid of wrinkles - which has led it to become known as a ‘miracle poison’.  Botulinum works by temporarily paralysing certain muscles in the face, helping to get rid of specific expressive lines such as forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet wrinkles. Injections must be administered by a professional.

Botulinum toxin is better known under brand names such as Botox and Dysport (this Botox vs Dysport guide delves into the differences). Most injections last about 3 to 4 months. The cost of these injections can vary depending on the clinic. Once popular solely among celebrities, botulinum injections have become a lot more mainstream in recent years and have a reputation for being very safe. 

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are another injectable substance that is used to fill out areas of sagging skin to reduce wrinkles. They contain a mixture of calcium, PLLA and the already mentioned hyaluronic acid. Fillers can be used on non-expressive wrinkles - including fairly deep wrinkles.

Like botulinum injections, dermal fillers must be administered by a qualified professional. They have instant results like botulinum injections, but can last even longer before needing to be topped up - often 6 months to a year. There are more potential complications with fillers, so it’s important to find a clinic that is highly rated. The price of fillers can vary. 

Laser resurfacing

It is possible to reduce wrinkles by using a laser to remove the damaged outer layer of skin. This can encourage new wrinkle-free skin to grow beneath. Laser resurfacing is not just used to beat wrinkles, but is also successfully used to treat many skin conditions such as acne, depigmentation and liver spots. It can even be used to get rid of certain scars. 

Laser resurfacing treatment is typically carried out by a qualified professional in a clinic. The cost of such treatment can vary depending on the length of the session. After treatment, the area is likely to be very red and sore for a few days - it can take anywhere from 5 to 21 days to heal and you will need to apply ointments to help with the healing process. It is a treatment that is growing in popularity.

Chemical peel

Chemical peels are another form of wrinkle-reducing treatment that involves removing the outer layer of skin. A controlled acid solution is gently applied to the face to get rid of hard and dead skin on the surface. Unlike laser resurfacing that can be used to remove more prominent wrinkles, chemical peels are best reserved for smaller fine line wrinkles. 

Many people choose this procedure over laser resurfacing because it is cheaper and it also has a shorter recovery time (usually 1 to 7 days). Deep chemical peels are likely to have the most effective results at fighting wrinkles, but can cost a little extra and will have a greater recovery time. As with laser resurfacing, you should always get this treatment done at a clinic by a qualified professional. Read reviews to ensure that you choose a reliable clinic. 

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an alternative to chemical peels and laser resurfacing that also works by removing the outer layer of skin. Fine crystals and a vacuum are used to remove this outer layer, which in turn can remove fine wrinkles. This treatment is not as effective as chemical peels or laser resurfacing, but is seen as the gentlest option (there is pretty much no recovery time).

A microdermabrasion procedure is likely to cost less than a chemical peel, and much less than a laser resurfacing procedure. As with other methods listed above, you should get this treatment done by a professional to ensure that it is safe and effective. There are harsher exfoliants on the market that can allow you to carry out this procedure at home, but you will not get the same results as you would when visiting a clinic.