The Truth of Wrinkle Treatments

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Most of the treatments we've looked at are available from a doctor, nurse or beautician.

• There’s no proven way to prevent wrinkles. You’re almost certain to get them as you get older. But we do know those ultraviolet rays (from the sun or sun beds) and smoking both make wrinkles worse.
• Skin creams or gels containing retinoid (a type of vitamin A) can reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles, but they have side effects. Creams containing retinoid include the prescription drugs tazarotene and tretinoin.
• Lots of cosmetics promise to improve or cover up wrinkles. Some contain vitamins that the makers claim can help the appearance of wrinkles. Lots of people use these, but there’s not much evidence that they work.
• Other treatments for wrinkles include chemical peels, removing the top layer of skin (which is called dermabrasion), laser treatments and facelifts. But these haven’t been properly tested in high-quality studies.

We’ve looked closely at the research the wrinkle treatments into categories, according to how well they work.

Wrinkle Treatments that works but whose harms may outweigh the benefits in the future run

Tazarotene gel

Tretinoin creams or gels

Isotretinoin gel

Wrinkle Treatments that need further study

Laser treatment

Chemical peels and acid creams

Facelifts

Pills containing extract of fish cartilage (Imedeen)

Other treatments

Botulinum toxin (Botox)

Filler injections with collagen