Wrinkles

We offer comprehensive treatment options to reduce and prevent the appearance of wrinkling.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles are lines and creases that appear on your skin over time. There are several contributing factors that cause the formation of wrinkling including aging, UV exposure, pollutants, smoking, stress, repetitive movements, and genetics.

At Austin Dermatologic Surgery, we offer a wide-array of cutting-edge technologies as well as traditional treatment options for wrinkles. We recognize that the best treatment plan for each patient is unique, and include our patients in the decision-making process in order to help them achieve optimal results.

Botulinum toxin injections (BOTOX®, Dysport ®, Daxxify,® and Xeomin ®)
Ablative, non-ablative, and hybrid laser resurfacing (CO2, ResurFX™, and ®HALO lasers)
Microneedling
Soft tissue fillers
Radiofrequency
Chemical peels
Combination therapies

Botulinum Toxin Injections

Botulinum toxin (BOTOX®) is a drug that is formulated from a tiny amount of purified natural toxin from a bacterium. It temporarily but effectively treats wrinkling by blocking certain chemical signals from nerves that cause muscles to contract. Botulinum toxin is particularly useful for treating:

frown lines between the eyebrows
horizontal forehead creases
crow’s feet around the eyes
upper lip lines
down-turned corners of the mouth
eyebrows
neck wrinkles

What to Expect

Botulinum toxin (BOTOX®) works by relaxing targeted muscles, like those that cause your skin to furrow and fold when you frown, concentrate, or squint. The corresponding wrinkles then become less apparent and often disappear, starting as soon as 24 to 48 hours with the full effect occurring at 6–10 days after treatment. Results typically last about three to four months.

Ablative and Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing treatments build collagen in the skin and are categorized as ablative (CO2), non-ablative (ResurFX™), or hybrid (®HALO lasers). The appropriate treatment depends on each patient's individual needs, skin type, desired outcomes, and downtime.

Ablative Treatment

Ablative resurfacing, including CO2 and Erbium lasers, offers a more aggressive treatment by vaporizing the top layer of skin producing sustained collagen production and tissue tightening as compared to non-ablative lasers. This treatment can improve the appearance of fine and moderate wrinkles, scars, pore size, and eyelid laxity. It is also an effective treatment for rhinophyma which affects the nose. Ablative resurfacing:

Targets deep and superficial layers of the skin and vaporizes the top layer (epidermis).
Ideal for patients who prefer a more aggressive approach
Requires a longer healing period (approximately 2 weeks)
Requires topical numbing. local anesthetic injections and oral medications.
Only 1-2 treatments necessary.

The Lumenis UltraPulse® Fractional Laser can penetrate deeper than any CO2 laser and is considered to be the gold-standard of Fractional CO2 lasers. Fractional ablative treatments are safer and heal faster than fully ablative CO2 lasers.

What to Expect

Plan to be at the clinic for approximately 3 hours depending on your treatment plan.
You will need to have a ride home after the procedure.
The procedure is performed under topical and local anesthetic and you will have prescribed medications to help alleviate discomfort during the procedure.
You will be given all of the items needed to care for your skin after the procedure.
After the Fractionated CO2 is performed, it will typically take 10–14 days for your skin to heal. During this time your skin will be sensitive and you will be given instructions and guidelines to help your skin heal and prevent infection. The nursing staff will educate you on how to take care of your skin in the following weeks after the laser.

Non-Ablative Treatment

Non-ablative resurfacing lasers keep the top layer of skin intact and is ideal for patients who prefer a mild approach with less downtime. Non-ablative resurfacing:

Targets deep into the skin without causing injury to the top layer (epidermis).
Ideal for patients who prefer a non-invasive and a more gentle approach
Less downtime and healing (2-4 days depending on your treatment)
Requires topical numbing prior to treatment
Gradual improvement, requiring a series of treatments with a minimum of 1 month between treatments.

The Lumenis ResurFX™ Fractional Laser is fully non-ablative. The benefit of the ResurFX™ is that it does not ablate the skin, providing collagen stimulation with minimal recovery time. Multiple sessions (approximately 3–6) are typically necessary with this approach.

What to Expect

Before the treatment, a topical anesthetic ointment will be used to numb the treated area.
The laser treats while simultaneously cooling the top layer of skin to both protect and allow for more comfort throughout the treatment. Most patients will feel warm for 30 to 60 minutes or slightly longer with deeper treatment levels.
Your practitioner will discuss the healing process and how to care for your skin after the treatment. A gentle cleanser and moisturizer are recommended until the skin has naturally exfoliated. Sunscreen should be applied daily with no direct exposure for 7 days post-treatment.
On day two to three, you will have dry skin like sandpaper. It will take 2–3 days for this to subside.
Expect about 2–3 days of healing depending on the treatment depth and intensity.

Hybrid (Ablative and Non-Ablative) Treatments

A hybrid approach combines both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths in a single treatment, achieving superior results without the downtime required of fully ablative lasers.

Requires a approximately 5 days of healing, depending on your treatment.
Requires only topical numbing.
Only 1-2 treatments per year.

The Sciton HALO® Hybrid Fractional Laser combines both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths in a single treatment. For certain patients, combining these two wavelengths produces superior results with minimal downtime—including a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, skin dullness, and scarring.

What to Expect

Before the treatment, a topical anesthetic ointment will be used to numb the treated area.
The laser treats while simultaneously cooling the top layer of skin to both protect and allow for more comfort throughout the treatment. Most patients will feel warm for 30 to 60 minutes or slightly longer with deeper treatment levels.
Your practitioner will discuss the healing process and how to care for your skin after the treatment. A gentle cleanser and moisturizer are recommended until the skin has naturally exfoliated. Sunscreen should be applied daily with no direct exposure for 7 days post-treatment.
On days two to three, a bronzing, sandpaper-like texture will form on the skin as MENDS (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris) make their way to the surface and fall off by day four or five, depending on the treatment depth and intensity.
Expect five to seven days of healing.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a procedure that is typically well tolerated, and offers a cost-effective treatment option for wrinkling and fine line and also scarring, acne scarring and stretch marks. Microneedling works by creating controlled micro-channels that stimulate the body’s natural wound healing process which includes collagen building. A series of treatments are necessary to achieve optimal results. Anywhere on the face, neck, chest, and body can be treated.

What to Expect

Topical anesthetic is applied to the area treated to be treated prior to the procedure. Your skin will look red for one to three days and mild peeling and dryness will occur three to five days after the procedure. During this time, it is important to apply mild moisturizer and use daily SPF to protect the skin from sun exposure.

Services

Botox

Laser Resurfacing

Microneedling