Treatments for Mature Skin

There are some promising treatments for mature skin. Retinoic acid, originally formulated as a cream for treating acne, improves the skin surface texture, reduces irregular pigmentation and increases dermal collagen if applied daily for six months or longer. It is currently the only medication approved by the FDA as safe and effective for reversing some of the effects of sun damage. Hydroxy acids can also help reverse some of the effects of the sun by exfoliating or peeling away dead, damaged skin cells.

Creases caused by facial expressions such as squinting, frowning or smiling can be treated by a dermatologist with injectable soft tissue “dermal fillers” such as collagen, hyaluronic acid or fat. These fillers are injected into or under the skin of the wrinkles and scars to puff the crease or the scar. A naturally produced toxin, botulinum toxin, can also be injected to “relax” the small muscles and thus minimize expression lines such as frown lines. None of these remedies can guarantee the appearance of youthful skin, but they can improve the overall appearance of your skin. Wrinkled skin may be improved by resurfacing with surgery, lasers, dermabrasion or chemical peels. Before you undertake any home treatment or surgery, discuss your options with your dermatologist.