Wrinkle Treatment in Cincinnati | Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery
The classic sign of aging, wrinkles have become synonymous with the process. As a result, the term “wrinkles” can mean something different to different people.
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What are Wrinkles?
It is usually clear what someone means by “wrinkles” early in in their consultation process. It usually reflects the term as understood by surgeons. Wrinkles are narrow, depressed lines in the skin that radiate across the face. They can be deep or shallow. They tend to develop along relaxed skin tension lines, which sit perpendicular to the contraction of facial muscles.
Wrinkles form because of a decrease in microscopic proteins of the skin, including:
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Glycosaminoglycans (e.g. hyaluronic acid)
Fat loss between the skin and the muscles that move the face i.e. the facial mimetic musculature can also contribute to wrinkles by eliminating the “glide plane” these muscles move across. This can be particularly evident in some individuals who develop radiating lines emanating from the side of their mouth and up their cheek that are more prominent when they speak or smile. This is often seen in physically fit athletes.
What Causes Wrinkles?
The causes of wrinkles are multi-factorial and include:
- Genetics
- Lifestyle, especially with chronic sun exposure, tobacco use, and alcohol use
- Hormonal changes such as menopause
- Muscle contraction
- Time
There are two (2) types of wrinkles:
- Static wrinkles – present even when the face is at rest
- Dynamic wrinkles – appear when the face is in motion (e.g. emotion, speech) or coarsen the appearance of static wrinkles
How are Wrinkles Treated?
Treatment options for wrinkles include surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Static wrinkles can be improved using a combination of laser skin resurfacing with nano-fat and platelet rich plasma (PRP). Laser skin resurfacing is a non-surgical procedure that involves the use of a fractional ablative CO2 laser to remove the top layers of skin in a controlled fashion, resulting in skin that heals to appear more youthful. Nano-fat and PRP are minimally invasive procedures that function as a form of regenerative medicine. They are usually combined and injected into the deep layer of the skin (dermis) using a small needle immediately prior to laser skin resurfacing. The purpose of this treatment is to accelerate the healing process after the laser and to thicken the skin, thereby improving its appearance. Another treatment option for static wrinkles is hyaluronic acid fillers. There are many hyaluronic acid filler products. Thinner fillers can be placed in specific locations in the face, for example, the cheeks, to soften the appearance of wrinkles.
Micro-fat grafting, in contrast with nano-fat grafting, is used to add volume to the face in select locations in a thin layer between the facial mimetic musculature and skin. Unlike fat, which is used to bulk up the cheeks or temples, micro-fat particles are smaller. As a result, they can be placed more superficially. Micro-fat grafting can enhance the previously described “glide plane” between muscle and skin, thereby softening the appearance of some wrinkles.
Dynamic wrinkles are best treated using a neuromodulator such as Botox®. Neuromodulators can only safely treat dynamic wrinkles in the upper one-third (1/3rd) of the face, including the forehead, crow’s feet and eleven lines (glabella) between the eyebrows.
When is a Wrinkle Not a Wrinkle?
There are instances, however, when the “wrinkles” patients describe are exaggerated folds in areas where the three-dimensional volume of the face consisting of skin, fat, muscle and fascia hangs over fixed points. These fixed points include the nasolabial folds between the cheeks and upper lip and the marionette lines between the chin and jawline. The best way to address these changes is with a structural correction through a deep plane facelift and deep neck lift. The procedures described above to treat wrinkling generally follow surgical corrections to three-dimensional changes in the face.
Why is Dr. Jeffrey Harmon an Expert at Treating Wrinkles?
Dr. Jeffrey Harmon is a fellowship-trained (American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery), double board-certified (American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) facial plastic surgeon and an expert in treating wrinkles in Cincinnati, Ohio. Unlike many other plastic surgeons, Dr. Harmon takes a great deal of time and effort to understand the specifics of each patient’s concerns about wrinkles during the consultation. He then formulates a treatment plan that reflects each patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Written by Dr. Harmon
Discover the expertise and compassionate care of Dr. Jeff Harmon, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon deeply rooted in the Cincinnati community. A former collegiate athlete and Cornell University graduate, Dr. Harmon brings discipline, precision, and a global perspective to his surgical practice—refined through elite fellowship training in New York City.
Located in Hyde Park, Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery proudly serves patients throughout the Cincinnati area offering personalized facial aesthetics with world-class skill and a hometown heart.