Expression Wrinkles

Perhaps the most asked skin care question I get from my clients and of greatest concern to most women is about wrinkles, and in particular wrinkles caused by facial expressions.  

Expression Wrinkles?

Can you imagine if every time we laughed, frowned, cried, or got angry, we would stop to think about the wrinkles they are causing? 

Expression wrinkles are those lines that appear on our skin and are caused by the contractions of the muscles.  These include the radial lines that appear on the side of our eyes when we laugh or cry, - better known as "crow's feet", also the vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows when we frown,  the vertical wrinkles on the upper lip which are usually more prominent in persons that smoke – whence also known as "smoker's wrinkles", and the wrinkles that start from the two sides of the nose and ends at the sides of the lips.   All these wrinkles become increasingly more visible as times goes by and we gracefully age.  

So ….What can we do about it?

Here are some skin care tips that will help you keep expression wrinkles (and all wrinkles in general) at bay for as long as possible.

Moisturizing

Perhaps the most important element of all is Moisturizing.

Providing essential moisturizing elements to our skin both in the morning and at night helps enormously to keep our skin soft and flexible.  This is very important so that the skin is not only able to withstand the contractions of the muscles, but also to revert back to its original  shape.   Moisturizing is an important part of the daily skin care regime because it can prevent the appearance of wrinkles but also minimize their effect once the first wrinkles appear.

Specialized Anti Wrinkle Products

These are products that usually contain substances which try to mimic the effect of Botox injections, and basically help to relax the contractions in the areas of the skin where expression wrinkles are located wrinkles.  The effect is that expression wrinkles appear less prominent.

Specialty Serums and Ampoules

Serums and especially ampoules contain high concentrations of active ingredients.  They are used directly on the area of the wrinkles, and thus are able to achieve the best possible result.  Of course serums and ampoules are always used as part of a skin care regime.  i.e. day and night care creams, masks, etc.   Usually specialized serums and ampoules work by activating the collagen and elastin production in the skin, and will also typically include ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.  Therefore we have a gradual “filler” action on the wrinkles.  

Sun Screen

I can’t stress enough the importance of using high SPF sun protection every day!!!   Sun creams are not just for the days when the sun is shining.  Harmful UV rays also reach us when the weather is cloudy.  Therefore using sun cream should be the last step in your everyday skin care ritual.   As far as wrinkles, the lack of using sun protection exaggerates the appearance of wrinkles, and particular those vertical lines on the forehead between the eyebrows.

What Do I recommend?

The Keenwell company has introduced the Time Retard line which consists of 2 products (cream and serum) that address specifically the problem of facial expression wrinkles.  Both products are based on argireline, a hexapeptide and a relatively new and very promising ingredient, which offers the same effect as botox but of course without the toxic substances and without paralyzing the muscles.  

I am very pleased with the results of the products on my clients, and I have heard many positive comments. The best results however are achieved when both products are used in combination.

Here is information regarding the two products.

TIME RETARD - EXPRESSION LINE CORRECTOR CREAM 50 ml

A quickly absorbed, gentle textured cream, which smoothes away expression lines, moisturizes and improves elasticity instantly. It will leave your skin feeling silky and velvety.  The Time Retard Cream is suitable for all skin types.  Use mainly on the orbicular area, between the eyebrows and on the wrinkles around the lips.

Active Ingredients: ARGIRELINE: Hexapeptide with a special effect. It reduces the depth of the wrinkles, mainly those caused by the contraction of the facial expression muscles. It stops ageing caused by the repetition of facial movements.  MOISTURISING MOLECULAR BIOFILM: Vegetable polymers (glucose, xanthine and carragenates) micro-thinned at high pressure, forming a highly moisturising molecular film which can be extended over a large area, improving the penetration of the active agents, as well as providing the skin with an unrivalled sense of comfort, softness and freshness.

Application: -Apply to the face and neck, focusing on the areas with most wrinkles caused by facial expression muscles.  The usual day care cream can be applied on top if desired.

               

Expression Line Corrector Serum 30 ml

This is concentrated serum which smoothes away expression lines with an instant tightening effect. It offers enzyme protection of the skin fibers against metalloproteinase.  Suitable for all skin types.  

Active Ingredients:  ARGIRELINE: Hexapeptide with a special effect. It reduces the depth of the wrinkles, mainly those caused by the contraction of the facial expression muscles. It stops ageing caused by the repetition of facial movements.  PROTEASYL: Peptide of plant origin used to protect the collagen and elastic fibres from enzymatic degradation, a cause of skin ageing. VEGESERYL: Plant serum based on soya proteins which has an instant tightening effect (similar to albumin serum).

 Application: Apply to the face and neck, focusing on the areas with most wrinkles caused by facial expression muscles. Can be used 2 or 3 times a day, followed by the day or night cream.