From what age do the first wrinkles appear? Is it normal at 30?
There is no right age. Many people notice fine lines in their 30s, and some notice them earlier or only later, because they depend on genetics, accumulated sun, habits and the way each face expresses itself. Having lines at 30 is very common and does not mean anything is wrong. What matters is the type of line and how it evolves over time, and that is what the assessment helps you understand.
Fine lines, expression lines and wrinkles: what is the difference?
Fine lines are superficial marks, often linked to dry skin, that ease with hydration. Expression lines form with facial movement, when frowning, smiling or raising the eyebrows. Wrinkles are creases that are already visible with the face still. In practice, one type shades gradually into another, and a person can have all three in different areas. There are even clinical scales to grade the depth of wrinkles, which the doctor uses in the examination.
Dynamic and static wrinkles: what do they mean?
In clinical language, dynamic wrinkles only appear when the face moves, and static ones are visible even at rest. The shift from one to the other happens gradually: an expression line repeated for years on skin that is losing elasticity gradually leaves a mark that no longer disappears completely. Telling these stages apart is the basis of the conversation at the assessment, because the possible paths differ for each.
Why do the lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows and at the corners of the eyes appear first?
Because they are the areas where the face moves the most and where the skin folds most often each day: raising the eyebrows, frowning, smiling, squinting. The skin at the corners of the eyes is also very thin. The repetition of the same movement over years, on skin that is gradually losing elasticity, leaves its mark in those places first. It is not a lack of care, and it does not mean you should stop expressing yourself.
Does sleeping on your side cause wrinkles?
It can contribute. Sleep wrinkles differ from expression wrinkles in cause, location and pattern, and the literature describes compression and shear forces on the face when sleeping on your side or on your stomach. That does not mean everyone who sleeps on their side will have pronounced wrinkles, and sleeping on your back is not always comfortable. If you can, alternating position and using a soft pillow costs little, but it is not a promise.
Do anti-wrinkle creams work?
It depends on what you expect. Moisturising creams improve hydration and, in some trials with hyaluronic acid, slightly improved the depth of wrinkles around the eyes after two months, with differences between formulas. An established wrinkle does not disappear with a cream. Daily sunscreen, on the other hand, has evidence of slowing skin ageing. In short: they help care for and prevent, but do not replace an assessment.
Is it possible to prevent wrinkles in your early 20s?
You can delay and soften them, but not prevent them from appearing. What matters most is protecting your skin from the sun every day, not smoking, sleeping well and keeping a simple cleansing and hydration routine. Starting early does not mean doing rituals or using lots of products: most of the work is in daily habits. If you wish, an assessment shows your starting point and gives you an unhurried plan.
How can I slow the ageing of the facial skin?
There are factors you cannot control, such as genetics and the passing of time, and others you can: sun, smoking, sleep and hydration. Skin ageing has an intrinsic part and an external part, and it is on the second that you can act. Daily sun protection, not smoking, a simple and consistent routine and regular assessments are the foundation. The rituals can accompany this plan, but do not replace it, and results vary from person to person.
Expression lines: is there a treatment that is not a medical procedure?
There are surface rituals that help hydrate and soften the look of fine lines and first expression lines, such as Ritual Linéa. They do not relax muscles or fill in creases, so they do not replace the medical procedures described on other pages. For lines that are already established with the face at rest, the assessment may conclude that those procedures need to be discussed separately. The choice is always the doctor's, after examining your face, and yours.
What does Ritual Linéa do?
It is the ritual designed for first wrinkles and expression lines: it hydrates deeply and softens marks before they set in. It is carried out with professional mesoestetic® active ingredients and manual technique, after an assessment. It is not a medical procedure and works on the surface of the skin, so it does not make an established wrinkle disappear. The number of sessions and the pace are set at the assessment, and results vary from person to person.
Do the rituals carry risks? Who should postpone?
Any treatment can cause skin reactions, which depend on the ritual and the person, and the team explains them before starting. It is advisable to postpone if the skin is reactive, irritated, has wounds or an active infection. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or use retinoids or other active ingredients, tell us at the assessment so the doctor can review the ingredients in the protocol. Also tell us if you have known allergies or if your skin reacts easily to new creams. Sun protection in the following days is important, and the team will advise on the care to take after each ritual.
When should I see a doctor first?
If a mark appears suddenly, if there is a spot or lesion that changes colour or shape, if the skin is very dry, itchy or flaking, or if you have very pronounced wrinkles at an early age, the first step is a medical assessment. This may include questions about sun, smoking or rapid weight loss. At Luxmed, the assessment is carried out by Dra. Michelle Campagnoli, who decides the path before any ritual.
How long does it take and how many sessions are needed?
It is not possible to say before seeing your skin. It depends on whether the mark is a fine line, an expression line or an already set wrinkle, on your age and the condition of your skin, and on what you expect. Some effects, such as hydration, can be noticed straight away, and others are gradual. The number of sessions, the interval and continuity at home are defined at the assessment, without obligation, and can be adjusted over time.
Where can I book an assessment in Algés or near Lisbon, and what should I bring?
Clínica Luxmed is in Algés, in the municipality of Oeiras, and welcomes people from Lisbon and the surrounding area. Book the assessment by WhatsApp, by phone or through the form on the website. Bring a list of the products you use on your skin, any allergies you know of and recent treatments. Also tell us if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or using retinoids. The clearer your history, the more useful the assessment, and you do not need to bring anything special beyond that.
