If you’re looking for the most effective anti-wrinkle treatment with the lowest risk, you should know what the science says. From facial aesthetics to dermabrasion, here’s all you need to know.

According to research commissioned by beauty and wellbeing expert Liz Earle, women spend about 32 minutes each and every day worrying about their appearance. Acne aside, the leading driver of this anxiety is signs of ageing. Another study shows that women start worrying about wrinkles by the age of 24, with some women buying anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing products as young as 21.

The modern woman has a lot on her plate and science has shown that women are, in fact, natural-born worriers. Thankfully, there have been real advances in modern science and anti-wrinkle treatments, meaning women can at least check one item off their lists.

But given that we all lead busy lives and don’t want to go through the gruelling trial-and-error process of finding the best wrinkle removal options, we thought we’d lay out the most popular choices today and answer the often-asked question, what’s the best anti-wrinkle treatment? What does the science say? And why is the facial aesthetics market seeing such a remarkable growth?

Anti-Wrinkle Creams Aren’t Proven to Work

Anti-wrinkle creams have a long history. In fact, Cleopatra, the Egyptian Queen, reportedly indulged in donkey-milk baths to keep her skin looking youthful. Since then, creams and lotions have been bottled and sold in their thousands, all slightly different and with varying active ingredients. We love the packaging and the marketers certainly know what they’re doing — but do the creams actually work?

Unfortunately, the answer appears to be an overwhelming “no”. Wrinkle creams don’t appear to be effective when it comes to preventing crows feet, wrinkles and fine lines. According to Fayne Frey, a New York dermatologist, “In 25 years, I’ve never seen a real wrinkle or fold repaired with a cream.” Furthermore, the staff at the Mayo Clinic state, “If you’re looking for a face-lift in a bottle, you probably won’t find it in over-the-counter wrinkle creams. The benefits of these products are usually only modest at best.” This is the case no matter how expensive the bottle or how exotic the ingredients appear.

Use of a cream or a moisturiser may temporarily make wrinkles and fine lines look less noticeable, but the verdict is in — unfortunately, these potions simply can’t make wrinkles vanish.

Dermabrasion Can Be Effective but Is Time Consuming

Dermabrasion is a minimally invasive anti-wrinkle technique designed to refresh and rejuvenate the skin to achieve a smooth, glowing and youthful complexion without the need for chemicals. The process works by exfoliating the outer layer of skin — doctors have been using this anti-wrinkle treatment since the 1980s. Effects are limited to the top layer of the skin (the stratum corneum).

One thing you should know about microdermabrasion is that you aren’t likely to see immediate results. In fact, results after the first treatment are barely noticeable at all. Most dermatologists usually recommend a series of six to ten treatments for you to see substantial results. These sessions are usually spread out over about two weeks.

The downside to this form of anti-wrinkle treatment is that it is time intensive — you need to schedule the sessions into your busy life and keep on top of them to ensure optimal results. Furthermore, this technique can result in redness or rashes, swelling, acne breakouts and enlarged pores.

Laser Resurfacing Might Not Be for Everyone

Laser skin resurfacing is an anti-wrinkle technique that aims to reduce signs of ageing, age spots, acne scars and other blemishes. It also reportedly tightens skin and balances skin tone.

This is done through the use of lasers, which stimulate the skin’s production of collagen to plump up the skin. Unfortunately, if you have acne or dark skin, you might not be a candidate for this procedure. Furthermore, you might experience Milia following your treatment (small, white bumps), as well as swelling, hyperpigmentation and, although very rare, scarring.

Living a Healthy Lifestyle is a Great Way to Keep Wrinkles at Bay

You might have heard the maxim “prevention is better than cure” — and in this case, it is certainly true. Leading a healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep wrinkles at bay. Two factors that significantly contribute to wrinkling (and can be avoided) are smoking and sun exposure.

Smoking has some pretty serious effects on the skin. When smoke comes into contact with your skin, it can cause biochemical changes to your cells, damaging the elastin and collagen in the dermal layers. This, in turn, leads to premature ageing. Furthermore, smoking can constrict your blood vessels, making it harder for them to deliver oxygen and nutrients to skin cells. This has the effect of slowing cellular production. One 2002 study found that regular smokers as young as 20 have wrinkles that can be seen under a microscope.

The next culprit is sun exposure. While it’s true we need ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun to stimulate production of Vitamin A and Vitamin D, too much UV radiation can destroy our elastin and collagen levels, causing wrinkles. Thankfully, we can ward off this damage with the use of sunblock — and remember, even the winter sun can do damage! We recommend wearing a daily moisturiser with SPF 15 or higher as a preventative measure and, in the summer, considering wearing a hat or protective clothing.

But what if you have already damaged your skin through lifestyle choices? At Pembroke Dental, we champion facial aesthetics as the best anti-wrinkle treatment.

Botox — The Best Anti-Wrinkle Treatment

If you’re looking for the best treatment for crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles, we recommend facial aesthetics (Botox). Botox is safe, quick and effective, and works by relaxing your facial muscles. You’ll see results after the first session and this cosmetic injectable can even be used as a preventative measure to put your mind at ease. When Botox is delivered correctly, the effects can last for three to six months. Lines and wrinkles will begin to reappear as muscle action gradually returns, but with repeated sessions, these wrinkles often appear less severe.

At Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge, we take great pride in delivering first-class results to our facial aesthetics patients. Our highly trained and professional staff will put you at ease and talk you through the procedure. Our Associate Dentist Dr Chloé Kelly is highly recommended, having been trained at the Visage Academy in London. Dr Kelly is qualified and well-experienced in the administration of wrinkle removal treatments and facial fillers. After seeing the results of your first treatment, we guarantee you’ll be wanting to make a return visit.

If you want to talk to a professional to find out how we can help you shed years off your appearance, book a facial free aesthetics consultation in Dublin D4 today. Get in touch with our Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge team on 01 668 3242.