When you first think about wrinkles, you probably think about the wrinkles that show up on your face. However, wrinkles can occur throughout the body, especially in areas of frequent movement. One area that can be particularly susceptible to wrinkles is the knees. Knee wrinkles, or “kninkles,” can make you look older than you feel, especially in the warmer summer months when you are wearing shorts and swimsuits more often. Thankfully, just like wrinkles on the face or neck, treatment options (like Botox in Kelowna)are available to reduce wrinkles on the knees and boost your confidence in time for summer in Kelowna, BC.
What are Kninkles? What Causes Knee Wrinkles?
“Kninkles” are simply wrinkles that form on or around the knees over time. These wrinkles may also be accompanied by loose, excess skin. Many people see wrinkles, folds, or sagging in this area as they age. Knee wrinkles, sagging, and drooping skin are caused because of how frequently this area stretches and bends throughout your lifetime. Think of kninkles as similar to the dynamic facial wrinkles you might treat with Botox, which are formed due to repetitive movement. The skin on your knees can similarly show signs of age for this reason. In addition to frequent movement, the knees are a high-impact area as they support your body weight. This causes the skin to face significant stress over time.
How to Prevent Knee Wrinkles
Paying close attention to the skin near your knees (and elbows) can help you prevent knee wrinkles in the long run. Exfoliating regularly will help revitalize the skin and encourage new skin cell production. You can use a physical exfoliating scrub, loofah, or body brush in the shower to achieve smooth skin. It’s also important to moisturize regularly using high-quality products. During a consultation, Dr. Chetty or one of our other skin care specialists can recommend at-home routines or products that will work to improve the health and appearance of your skin.
For some patients, small lifestyle changes can help to reduce the appearance of sagging skin or excess fat deposits in the knee area. Staying at a healthy weight by eating healthy, balanced meals and exercising regularly will help reduce excess fat and improve muscle tone. Choosing exercises that will build toned, healthy muscle in the legs can also help tighten the area just above the knees. Try leg extensions, yoga, or Pilates to build muscles in the legs and support your knee joints. This will improve not just the appearance of the legs but your health as well.
Skin Tightening for Kninkles
Over time, the skin on the knees can begin to thin and stretch, causing a saggy look. Skin tightening treatments with our cosmetic professionals will help resolve this appearance. Professional treatment options using radiofrequency energy or ultrasound can stimulate collagen and elastin production, reduce excess fat, and tighten the skin overall. These treatment options are non-invasive and pain-free, typically require no downtime, and offer fast results. Most patients begin to see results from their non-surgical body contouring treatments after their second treatment sessions, with skin tightening continuing to improve for several months. In addition to treating knee wrinkles, these body contouring treatments can be used for virtually any area of the body where you may see loose skin and aging signs. This includes the face, eyelids, jowls, or neck. Finally, non-surgical body contouring treatments can often reduce cellulite, which is very common near the knees or thighs. With these combined benefits, non-surgical skin tightening and body contouring is typically the first choice in treating knee wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers for Knee Wrinkles
Dermal filler injections can be a great solution for knee wrinkles. Firmer, more resilient dermal fillers that stimulate collagen are a good option to support the skin and reduce wrinkles in this area. Frequent movement as well as slower collagen production as you age can contribute to knee wrinkles, so dermal fillers that support collagen production can help to create a more youthful look and smooth wrinkles. Dr. Chetty may recommend options like Radiesse or Sculptra for this reason. More fluid or less resilient dermal fillers, like those composed primarily of hyaluronic acid, may not stand up to the frequent movement of the knees and can break down quickly. Fillers that build natural collagen are better options because they will last longer, up to a year or more in some cases.
Treating Spider Veins
In addition to knee wrinkles, spider veins or varicose veins are common conditions that can affect your confidence in the appearance of your legs. These are also more common as you age. Laser vein treatment can be used in addition to the knee wrinkle treatment of your choice for more complete rejuvenation. Laser treatment has many benefits, including limited discomfort, a short recovery time, and relief from discomfort due to varicose veins.
Why Surgery Doesn’t Work for Sagging Knees
While many people may think of surgery to reduce sagging skin, this is not a good option for drooping skin near the knees. While some may benefit from a thigh lift to reduce drooping skin, patients who are concerned about wrinkles in the knees in particular are not good candidates for surgery. Because the knees stretch and bend so much, scars in this area are susceptible to poor outcomes like hypertrophic scars. It is also difficult to make incisions near the knees that can be easily hidden, so surgery is not usually recommended.
Schedule a Consultation
The best treatment to improve your confidence in your legs will vary greatly depending on many factors. This can include your skin tone, whether excess skin, wrinkles, or excess fat are your primary concern, and more. Our cosmetic medicine specialists can help you understand the cause of your knee wrinkles and select a treatment that will work best for your unique needs.
To create a customized treatment plan, schedule a consultation with a cosmetic specialist at Cerulean Medical Institute. Call our Kelowna, BC office at (778) 402-3696 or contact us online to set up your first appointment.
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