Wrinkles
aesthetic medicine · wrinkles · Gdańsk
Wrinkles — where do they come from and how to choose the right approach?
Wrinkles are a natural part of skin ageing, but their type, depth and cause may vary greatly. Dynamic wrinkles, volume loss, skin laxity and nasolabial folds often require different treatment approaches.
The first step is an aesthetic medicine consultation. The doctor will assess the type of wrinkles and suggest an approach tailored to the skin, facial expression, age and expectations of the patient.
surgeon, surgical oncologist, aesthetic medicine
facial expression, laxity, volume, skin quality
Piotr Rak, MD, PhD
no overcorrection and no single method for everyone
consultations and outpatient procedures
What are wrinkles?
Wrinkles are lines, folds and depressions in the skin that appear as a result of facial muscle activity, loss of collagen and elastin, changes in tissue volume, sun exposure, lifestyle factors and the natural ageing process. They are not a disease — they are a normal part of skin ageing.
In aesthetic medicine, however, the key question is not simply “I have wrinkles”, but what type of wrinkles they are. Dynamic wrinkles, folds, volume loss and skin laxity require different methods. This is why a good plan usually starts with a consultation rather than choosing a specific product.
Most important: not every wrinkle is “for Botox”, and not every fold should be filled immediately. Sometimes the best option is to work on facial expression, sometimes to restore volume, and sometimes to improve skin quality or firmness.
Most common types of wrinkles
1. Dynamic wrinkles
They develop in areas of intense facial muscle activity. They most often affect the forehead, the area between the eyebrows, crow’s feet around the eyes and the mouth area. For this type of wrinkle, the doctor may discuss the possibility of using botulinum toxin, if there are no contraindications.
2. Static wrinkles
These are visible even when the face is relaxed. They may result from years of facial expression, skin ageing, sun exposure, dehydration or loss of elasticity. They often require a combined approach.
3. Nasolabial folds
Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth. They are not always simply “one wrinkle” — they are often related to tissue descent, cheek volume loss and changes in the proportions of the midface. In such cases, the doctor may consider, among others, hyaluronic acid tissue fillers or other volume-restoring methods.
4. Wrinkles related to volume loss
With age, the face may lose volume in the cheeks, temples, tear trough or jawline. The skin then has less support, making wrinkles and folds more visible. In selected patients, the doctor may discuss fillers or fat transfer, also known as lipotransfer.
5. Wrinkles and skin laxity
If the dominant problem is laxity, tissue descent and loss of firmness, smoothing a single wrinkle may not be enough. In such cases, the doctor may consider methods that improve tissue support and tension, such as lifting threads — after individual qualification.
Why do wrinkles appear?
- natural decrease in collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin,
- facial expression — frowning, squinting, smiling,
- UV exposure and lack of regular sun protection,
- smoking and chronic oxidative stress,
- loss of tissue volume and changes in facial contours,
- skin dehydration, insufficient skincare and impaired skin barrier,
- genetics, lifestyle, sleep, diet and general health.
When is it worth booking a consultation?
- when wrinkles start to bother you in terms of appearance or wellbeing,
- when you do not know whether the problem is related to facial expression, folds, laxity or volume loss,
- when you want a natural effect without overcorrection,
- when you have already had aesthetic treatments and want to plan the next steps,
- when you are interested in preventing wrinkles from deepening,
- when you want to compare different methods: botulinum toxin, fillers, threads, fat transfer or skincare.
When should you be cautious?
Aesthetic medicine procedures require medical qualification. Special caution is required, among others, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, active skin infections, blood clotting disorders, autoimmune diseases, use of certain medications and previous complications after aesthetic procedures. Safety is assessed by the doctor after taking a medical history.
How can wrinkles be treated?
There is no single method that works for all wrinkles. During the consultation, the doctor assesses facial expression, skin quality, facial volume, tissue laxity and the patient’s expectations. Only then can the right path be selected.
First step
The starting point. The doctor assesses the skin, wrinkles, facial expression and facial contour, and selects a plan tailored to the individual patient.
Book a consultation →Possible methods discussed during consultation
Most often considered for dynamic wrinkles, such as frown lines, forehead lines or crow’s feet. The goal is to reduce excessive activity of selected muscles, not to “freeze” the face.
Learn more →May be discussed for selected folds, volume loss, depressions and certain static wrinkles. The scope depends on anatomy and the safety of the treated area.
Learn more →Considered in selected patients when the problem is skin laxity, tissue descent and loss of firmness. They do not replace every method and require qualification.
Learn more →May be discussed in cases of facial volume loss and the need for natural tissue restoration. This procedure requires careful planning and qualification.
Learn more →The choice of method depends on the type of wrinkles, age, facial anatomy, skin condition, contraindications and patient expectations. This page describes possible pathways — it does not replace a consultation.
Who selects the approach for wrinkles?
surgeon, surgical oncologist, aesthetic medicine
During the consultation, Dr Piotr Rak assesses facial expression, skin quality, wrinkle depth, facial proportions and realistic treatment options. The goal is to match the method to the problem, not the patient to one procedure.
The same wrinkle may have different causes: facial expression, laxity, volume loss or skin quality. That is why botulinum toxin may be best for one person, a filler for another, and a completely different plan for someone else.
Would you like to know what can be done about wrinkles?
Book a consultation. The doctor will assess whether the problem is facial expression, volume loss, skin laxity, folds or a combination of several factors.
Frequently asked questions about wrinkles
Can every wrinkle be treated with Botox?
No. Botulinum toxin is most often considered for dynamic wrinkles, meaning those related to muscle activity. For folds, volume loss or skin laxity, the doctor may suggest other methods or combination therapy.
What is the difference between dynamic and static wrinkles?
Dynamic wrinkles become more visible during facial muscle activity, such as frowning or squinting. Static wrinkles are visible even when the face is relaxed. This distinction helps choose the right approach.
What can be done about nasolabial folds?
Nasolabial folds may result from volume loss, tissue descent or changes in skin quality. Depending on the cause, the doctor may discuss fillers, cheek volume restoration, lifting threads or other methods. Directly filling the fold itself is not always the best solution.
Can wrinkles be treated at a young age?
Yes, but the approach should be cautious and based on real indications. In younger patients, sun protection, skincare, lifestyle and possibly prevention of dynamic wrinkles are often more important than intensive volumetric treatments.
Do fillers remove wrinkles?
Fillers may reduce the visibility of selected folds, volume deficits and depressions, but they are not suitable for every type of wrinkle. They do not replace botulinum toxin for dynamic wrinkles and require medical qualification.
Can wrinkles be removed completely?
The goal of modern aesthetic medicine is usually not to completely “erase” the face, but to improve skin appearance, soften wrinkles and preserve natural facial expression. The possible degree of improvement depends on the type of wrinkles, the skin and the individual response of the body.
Where should I start if wrinkles bother me?
It is best to start with an aesthetic medicine consultation. The doctor will assess whether dynamic wrinkles, static wrinkles, folds, volume loss or skin laxity dominate, and then suggest a treatment plan.
What do patients value in the approach to aesthetic medicine?
When planning anti-wrinkle procedures, naturalness, safety and realistic expectations are important. This is why a consultation should not be based on automatically choosing one method.
The goal is not to change facial features, but to subtly improve appearance while preserving the patient’s individual facial expression.
Wrinkles rarely have only one cause. It is therefore worth planning treatment step by step, taking into account facial expression, skin and facial volume.
A good consultation helps you understand which changes are natural, which can be softened and which methods make sense in your case.
Read more — wrinkles, ageing and facial lifting
The materials below help you better understand skin ageing, natural results and the available methods of aesthetic medicine.
An article about a conscious, calm approach to ageing, appearance and self-care without social pressure.
Read article →Material about methods of improving facial contours, skin tension and natural rejuvenation without choosing a procedure blindly.
Read article →The best first step if you are not sure whether botulinum toxin, filler, threads, fat transfer or another method is right for you.
Book a consultation →Service page for patients interested in reducing selected dynamic wrinkles after medical qualification.
See the service →A method discussed for selected folds, volume loss and facial depressions.
See the service →An option for selected patients with skin laxity, tissue descent and the need to improve firmness.
See the service →A procedure discussed in patients for whom tissue volume loss plays an important role.
See the service →Educational article for patients looking for information about botulinum toxin but not yet ready for the service page.
Article in preparationA good topic for a separate article about the causes of folds, volume loss, tissue descent and reasonable treatment planning.
Article in preparationAn article for younger patients: prevention, skincare, sun protection and cautious planning of first procedures.
Article in preparationBook a consultation about wrinkles
Find out whether botulinum toxin, fillers, lifting threads, fat transfer, skin quality improvement or a combined plan may be the better direction in your case.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not replace a medical consultation. The cause of wrinkles, qualification for a procedure, choice of method, contraindications and possible results are determined by the doctor after individual patient assessment. The results of aesthetic medicine procedures are individual.