Soft-tissue fillers are also being used in combination with botulinum toxin treatments to correct deep forehead or brow lines in some patients. "In these patients with deep facial lines, it often takes numerous repeat treatments of botulinum toxin to erase them completely," said Dr. Lowe. "Using a thin dermal filler such as bovine collagen with botulinum toxin will usually result in almost complete improvement of these types of deep lines that botulinum toxin alone could not treat as effectively." Dermal fillers such as thick hyaluronic acid have also been found to enhance the results of botulinum toxin treatments in the deep vertical lines around the lips that are often due to lip puckering common to smokers.

Patients with sunken facial scars, which contribute to facial aging, are also benefiting from soft-tissue fillers. Laser skin resurfacing alone in these circumstances typically results in only a modest improvement.

"Using fat transfer injections – in which a patient’s own fat is removed from another part of the body and injected directly into the wrinkle or scar – along with the scar subcision – an invasive procedure in which a surgical probe lifts up the skin that pulls away from the depressed scar tissue below – offers dramatic results," added Dr. Lowe. "Laser skin resurfacing is used following the procedure to soften any remaining lines."

While combination therapy continues to improve a patient’s chances of turning back the hands of time, prevention is still the best medicine.

"The primary cause of aging skin is not necessarily age itself, but overexposure to the sun," stated Dr. Lowe. "People of all ages should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of 15 or higher every day even when it is cloudy. I also recommend that people stop smoking, as it is a health hazard that contributes to skin aging."

The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 13,000 dermatologists worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, contact the AAD at 1-888-462-DERM or www.aad.org.