This page is supervised and written by specialist physicians at IC Clinic Ikebukuro, a 5-minute walk from JR Ikebukuro Station.

🎯 [Supervised by Specialist Physicians] Types of Wrinkle Treatments and How to Choose: A Cause-Based Approach to Improvement

“I’ve been keeping up with my skincare, but my wrinkles just won’t fade.”
“I don’t know which treatment is right for me.”

Do any of these concerns sound familiar?

In fact, wrinkles come in several types, and choosing a treatment that does not match the underlying cause may not deliver sufficient results. Conversely, accurately identifying the type of wrinkle and selecting the appropriate treatment may allow for improvements that are difficult to achieve with self-care alone.

This page explains the causes of each type of wrinkle and the treatments that may be effective for each, from the perspective of our specialist physicians. We hope it will help you determine which treatment may be most suited to your wrinkles, so please read on.

🎯 The 3 Types of Wrinkles and How They Form: Which Type Do You Have?

💡 In this section, we classify wrinkles into three types and explain the characteristics and formation mechanism of each in detail.

Wrinkles can be broadly classified into three types depending on the layer of the skin where they form and their underlying causes. Because effective treatments differ by type, it is important to first understand which type applies to you.

Type	Characteristics	Common Areas Affected	Main Causes
Epidermal Wrinkles (Fine Lines)	Shallow, fine line-like wrinkles	Around the eyes, around the mouth	Dryness, disrupted skin cell turnover
Dermal Wrinkles (Expression Lines)	Grooves that form in response to facial expressions	Between the eyebrows, forehead, corners of the eyes	Repeated movement of the facial muscles
Sagging Wrinkles	Wrinkles caused by downward descent of the skin	Nasolabial folds, marionette lines	Reduction in collagen, laxity of the fascia

🔸 Epidermal Wrinkles (Fine Lines) | The Early Stage Triggered by Dryness

Epidermal wrinkles develop as a result of dryness in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin. They appear as numerous fine, shallow lines on the skin surface, and are also referred to as “fine wrinkles” or “surface lines.”

📌 When the moisture content of the stratum corneum decreases, the skin’s texture becomes irregular and uneven. If this condition persists, the lines may become established as shallow wrinkles.

A characteristic of epidermal wrinkles is that they can temporarily become less noticeable with moisturising care. However, as the skin’s ability to recover declines with age, self-care alone may become insufficient to achieve improvement.

⚡ Dermal Wrinkles (Expression Lines) | Deep Grooves Etched by Muscle Movement

Dermal wrinkles are creases that form in the skin as a result of repeated facial muscle movements and eventually become established. Typical examples include vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes.

📌 When we are young, wrinkles disappear once we relax our expression. However, as collagen and elastin in the dermal layer decrease with age, the skin loses its elasticity and grooves remain even when the expression is at rest.

Because dermal wrinkles are caused by the movement of facial muscles, treatments that suppress muscle contractions (such as botulinum toxin injections) may be effective.

⚠️ Sagging Wrinkles | Skin Descent Caused by Gravity and Aging

Sagging wrinkles develop as the skin and subcutaneous tissue descend overall under the force of gravity. Nasolabial folds, marionette lines (lines running from the corners of the mouth toward the chin), and Golgo lines fall into this category.

📌 The causes are multifactorial, involving not only a reduction in collagen and elastin in the dermis, but also the repositioning of subcutaneous fat, weakening of the facial muscles, and laxity of the deeper fascial layer (SMAS).

Sagging wrinkles are difficult to improve through surface-level skincare alone; treatments that address the deeper layers (such as HIFU or thread lifts) are needed.

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⚠️ 4 Factors That Accelerate Wrinkles and How to Address Them in Daily Life

💡 In this section, we introduce the factors that speed up wrinkle progression and the preventive measures you can take in your daily life.

Daily prevention is essential to slowing the progression of wrinkles. Here we explain four factors that have a particularly significant impact, along with ways to address them.

🌞 UV Exposure (Photoaging) | Responsible for Approximately 80% of Skin Aging

Approximately 80% of skin aging is attributed to “photoaging” caused by UV exposure. In particular, UVA penetrates as far as the dermal layer and directly damages fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin.

📌 UVA passes through glass and reaches the skin even on cloudy days, so protection is necessary regardless of season or weather. Choose a sunscreen with a high PA rating (the UVA protection index), and make a habit of reapplying every two to three hours.

💧 Dryness | Weakened Barrier Function Leads to Wrinkles

When the skin’s moisture levels decrease, the barrier function of the stratum corneum weakens, making the skin more susceptible to external stressors. This disrupts the skin cell turnover cycle and contributes to epidermal wrinkles.

✅ For moisturising care, it is important to first replenish moisture with a toner, then apply an emulsion or cream to create a layer of oil that prevents moisture from evaporating. Choose products containing moisturising ingredients such as ceramide and hyaluronic acid.

📱 Posture and Smartphone Use | Accelerates Neck Wrinkles

Looking down at a smartphone (commonly known as “text neck”) keeps the skin on the neck in a constantly folded position, etching deep wrinkles into it. The skin on the neck is thinner than on the face and has fewer sebaceous glands, making it an area particularly prone to wrinkle formation.

📌 Holding your smartphone up to eye level when using it, and taking regular breaks to stretch the neck during desk work, are examples of posture-conscious habits that can help with prevention.

🛌 Sleep Position and Pillow | Reducing Overnight Damage

A pillow that is too high bends the neck at an unnatural angle, which can deepen wrinkles. Sleeping on your side or face-down places pressure on the face, which can also contribute to wrinkles and skin damage.

✨ Sleeping on your back is ideal. Choose a pillow at a height that fits naturally to the curve of the neck, and consider a pillowcase made of a low-friction material such as silk.

🚨 The Limits of Self-Care | Which Wrinkles Can and Cannot Be Improved with Cosmetics

💡 In this section, we explain the effects and limitations of over-the-counter cosmetics, along with the medical rationale.

Some commercially available cosmetics and skincare products do contain ingredients with recognised wrinkle-improving properties. However, not all wrinkles can be addressed in this way.

✅ Wrinkles That May Respond to Cosmetics

Epidermal wrinkles (fine lines) may be amenable to improvement through moisturisation and normalisation of skin cell turnover. Active ingredients approved by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as quasi-drugs for wrinkle improvement include pure retinol and niacinamide.

📌 That said, even these ingredients require consistent use before results become apparent, and their efficacy on deeply etched wrinkles is limited.

⚠️ Wrinkles That Are Difficult to Improve with Cosmetics

Dermal wrinkles and sagging wrinkles are difficult to improve with cosmetics alone. This is because over-the-counter cosmetics primarily penetrate only as far as the epidermis, and are unable to reach the dermal layer—or the even deeper fascial layer—where the underlying causes of wrinkles are located.

📌 Cosmetics containing collagen or hyaluronic acid also have limited penetration into the dermis due to molecular size. For these deeper wrinkles, clinic-based treatments that act directly on the dermis and fascia may be a more effective approach.

🍎 Nutrients and Foods That May Support Wrinkle Improvement

💡 In this section, we explain in detail the nutrients that may support wrinkle care from within the body.

Skin is also built from the inside. By consciously incorporating the following nutrients into your daily diet, you may be able to support the prevention and improvement of wrinkles.

Nutrient	Key Function	Foods High in This Nutrient
Vitamin C	Essential for collagen production; antioxidant action	Bell peppers, broccoli, kiwi, strawberries
Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene)	Promotes cell turnover; maintains skin health	Carrots, spinach, pumpkin
Vitamin E	Antioxidant action; supports circulation	Nuts, avocado, vegetable oils
Protein	Building block for collagen and elastin	Meat, fish, eggs, soy products
Astaxanthin	Potent antioxidant action (approximately 1,000 times that of vitamin E)	Salmon, shrimp, crab

In particular, vitamin C is an essential nutrient for collagen production. Consuming it alongside protein supports efficient collagen synthesis within the body.

🏥 [By Wrinkle Type] 8 Wrinkle Treatments at IC Clinic Ikebukuro

💡 In this section, we explain in detail the characteristics and indications of the 8 wrinkle treatments available at our clinic.

Our clinic offers 8 wrinkle treatments. We recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your wrinkle type and personal preferences.

Treatment	Layer Targeted	Suitable Wrinkle Types	Key Characteristics
Dermapen Microneedling	Dermis	Epidermal wrinkles, shallow dermal wrinkles	Promotes collagen production; improves skin quality
ICON (IPL)	Dermis	Epidermal wrinkles	Activates fibroblasts
Agnes	Dermis	Fine lines around the eyes	Targeted, precise treatment
Fractional Laser	Dermis	Epidermal and dermal wrinkles	Skin regeneration; improves firmness
HIFU	Fascia (SMAS)	Sagging wrinkles	Lifting effect; results may be noticeable relatively soon after treatment
Botulinum Toxin Injections	Facial muscles	Expression lines (between eyebrows, forehead, corners of eyes)	Suppresses muscle movement
Hyaluronic Acid Injections	Dermis and subcutaneous tissue	Sagging wrinkles, deep wrinkles	Adds volume
Thread Lift	Subcutaneous tissue and fascia	Sagging wrinkles	Physical lifting effect

💊 1. Dermapen Microneedling | Fine-Needle Treatment to Promote Skin Renewal

Dermapen Microneedling is a treatment that uses fine needles to create micro-channels in the skin, harnessing the wound-healing response to stimulate collagen production. As the skin tissue regenerates, fibroblasts are activated, which may support improvements in skin firmness and elasticity.

📌 Suitable for: Those concerned about fine lines, enlarged pores, or overall skin quality improvement
📌 Approximate number of sessions: Around 5 sessions at intervals of 3–4 weeks
📌 Downtime: Redness lasting approximately 2–3 days

For full details, please see the Dermapen Microneedling page.

✨ 2. ICON (IPL Treatment) | Activating the Skin with Light Energy

ICON is a treatment that delivers specialised light (IPL) to the skin to act on fibroblasts in the dermal layer and stimulate collagen production. In addition to wrinkle improvement, it can also address a range of skin concerns including pigmented spots, uneven tone, and redness.

📌 Suitable for: Those wishing to improve shallow wrinkles and achieve an overall improvement in skin tone at the same time
📌 Approximate number of sessions: 5–6 sessions
📌 Fee: 6 full-face sessions / ¥110,000 (tax included ¥121,000)

For full details, please see the Photofacial (ICON) page.

👁️ 3. Agnes | High-Precision Treatment Designed for the Eye Area

Agnes is a treatment that uses insulated microneedles to deliver high-frequency current directly to the dermal layer. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin while minimising damage to the epidermis.

It is particularly well-suited to fine lines around the eyes, where the skin is thin and delicate, and allows treatment to reach areas that are difficult to address with other methods.

📌 Suitable for: Those concerned about fine lines under the eyes; those who wish to wear make-up the following day
📌 Fee: 6 full-face sessions / ¥324,000 (tax included ¥356,400)

For full details, please see the Agnes page.

🔥 4. Fractional Laser | Regenerative Treatment That Renews the Skin

Fractional laser treatment delivers fine laser beams in a dotted pattern to create thermal damage in the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating skin regeneration. As the damaged tissue is repaired, collagen proliferates, which may support improvements in skin firmness and elasticity.

📌 Suitable for: Those wishing to address not only wrinkles but also scars and enlarged pores at the same time
📌 Fee: 6 full-face sessions / ¥110,000 (tax included ¥121,000)

For full details, please see the Fractional Laser page.

⚡ 5. HIFU | Lifting Treatment That Targets the Facial Fascia

HIFU is a treatment that concentrates ultrasound energy on the fascial (SMAS) layer, using thermal coagulation to tighten the tissue. By contracting the fascia that forms the structural foundation of the skin, it addresses sagging at its root.

The “Ultraformer III” device used at our clinic is designed to deliver a noticeable tightening effect with consideration given to patient comfort, and some patients notice an improvement relatively soon after the procedure.

📌 Suitable for: Those concerned about nasolabial folds or sagging along the facial contour
📌 Fee: 5 full-face sessions / ¥135,000 (tax included ¥148,500)

For full details, please see the HIFU page.

💉 6. Botulinum Toxin Injections | Targeting Expression Lines at Their Source

Botulinum toxin injections are a treatment that suppresses facial muscle contractions to help improve expression lines between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and at the corners of the eyes. Because the treatment works by suppressing the movement of the muscles themselves, it directly addresses the underlying cause of these wrinkles.

📌 Suitable for: Those wishing to improve vertical frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal forehead lines, or crow’s feet
📌 Duration of effect: Approximately 3–6 months
⚠️ Note: If the effect is too strong it can affect facial expression, so careful adjustment of the dosage is important

For full details, please see the Botulinum Toxin Injections page.

💧 7. Hyaluronic Acid Injections | Replenishing Lost Volume

Hyaluronic acid injections are a treatment that adds volume from the inside by injecting hyaluronic acid into the grooves and hollows of wrinkles. As the dermis lifts the overlying epidermis, wrinkles become less noticeable and the skin gains an overall sense of firmness.

✅ Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in the body, which means the risk of allergic reactions is generally low.

📌 Suitable for: Those wishing to improve nasolabial fold grooves, hollow cheeks, or deep wrinkles
📌 Duration of effect: Approximately 6 months to 1 year (varies depending on the product used)

For full details, please see the Hyaluronic Acid Injections page.

🧵 8. Thread Lift | Non-Surgical Lifting

Thread lift is a treatment in which specialised medical threads are inserted under the skin to physically lift it. It can deliver a lifting effect comparable to surgical incision, without the need for a scalpel.

📌 Because collagen is produced around the threads, an improvement in skin quality may be expected in addition to the lifting effect.

📌 Suitable for: Those with noticeable sagging they wish to address; those for whom other treatments have not delivered sufficient results
📌 Downtime: Approximately 1–2 weeks
📌 Approximate cost: ¥200,000–¥500,000

For full details, please see the Sagging & Lifting Treatment page.

🎯 Treatment Selection Guide by Wrinkle Type

💡 In this section, we provide an easy-to-follow guide to selecting the most appropriate treatment based on your wrinkle type.

For those unsure which treatment to choose, we have summarised recommended treatments by wrinkle type below.

🔸 For Epidermal Wrinkles (Fine Lines / Surface Lines)

First-line options: Dermapen Microneedling, ICON, Fractional Laser

An approach that improves overall skin quality while making wrinkles less noticeable through promoting skin cell turnover and collagen production may be effective.

⚡ For Dermal Wrinkles (Expression Lines)

First-line option: Botulinum Toxin Injections

Because the cause is facial muscle movement, a treatment that suppresses muscle contractions may be the most effective approach. This is particularly well-suited to lines between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and at the corners of the eyes.

⚠️ For Sagging Wrinkles (Nasolabial Folds / Marionette Lines)

First-line options: HIFU, Hyaluronic Acid Injections, Thread Lift

The most suitable option varies depending on the degree of sagging. For mild sagging, HIFU may be appropriate; for those wishing to address groove depth more immediately, hyaluronic acid injections; and for more pronounced sagging, a thread lift may be considered. Combining multiple treatments is also possible.

👁️ For Fine Lines Around the Eyes

First-line option: Agnes

For the delicate skin around the eyes, Agnes, which acts on the dermis while minimising damage to the epidermis, may be well-suited.

👨‍⚕️ Clinical Observations at Our Clinic [Physician Comment]

📝 The Treatment Process and Frequently Asked Questions

💡 In this section, we walk through what to expect during treatment and answer questions we frequently receive from patients.

📋 From Consultation to Treatment

📌 1. Consultation: We assess the condition of your wrinkles and listen to your concerns before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
📌 2. Treatment explanation: We provide detailed information about the effects, risks, costs, and downtime.
📌 3. Procedure: Depending on the treatment, approximately 15 to 60 minutes.
📌 4. Aftercare: We provide post-treatment instructions and monitor your recovery.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will there be any pain?
This varies by treatment, but in many cases discomfort can be reduced using numbing cream or cooling. For injection-based treatments, there may be a brief sharp sensation, but it is generally manageable.

Q. When can I expect to notice results?
This varies by treatment. With hyaluronic acid injections and HIFU, some patients notice an effect immediately after the procedure, while Dermapen Microneedling and fractional laser typically show gradual improvement over multiple sessions.

Q. Are there any side effects or risks?
Redness, swelling, and bruising may occur, but these typically resolve within approximately one week. We will explain the risks in detail during your pre-treatment consultation.

💡 Wrinkle Treatments at IC Clinic Ikebukuro

For wrinkles that are difficult to improve through self-care, professional treatment tailored to the underlying cause may be a more effective approach.

At our clinic, specialist physicians assess your wrinkle type and recommend the most appropriate option from 8 available treatments, personalised to each patient. For cases where multiple wrinkle types are present, combining treatments is also possible.

We invite you to come in for a consultation so we can take a closer look at your wrinkle concerns. We will explain the treatment details, expected effects, risks, and costs in a clear and thorough manner.