What happens to our face after the age of 30? Why is it that as we age our bony features, lines and wrinkles are more visible? The three main structural areas that are affected as we age are skin, fat and bone. Overtime the face loses bone and collagen and fat is redistributed.
Learn more about the face as it ages, and what the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, PLLC, can do for you.
THE BREAKDOWN OF AGING SKIN
- Skin: Starting with the skin, as it ages the middle layer of the skin thins because of collagen loss. The skin becomes dryer, less supple, less elastic and thinner. The loss of collagen does not allow the skin to retain moisture.
- Bone: Bone loss contributes to decline in structural support causing changes in the upper and lower jaws to shorten the face.
- Fat: Fat redistribution leads to loss of facial volume. The cheeks lose fat and thus lose fullness.
Changes in any one of these structural layers affect the other layers. With all three structures changing starting at the age of 30, the following occurs:
- Forehead lines become more prominent
- Lines from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth are more noticeable
- Loose skin is apparent at the midface
- Around the mouth vertical wrinkles, lip thinning and flattening occurs
- Prejowl depression form from the corner of the mouth to the chin
CAUSES OF AGING FACE
Chronological aging is a cumulative effect of oxidative stress caused by excessive sun exposure, smoking and pollution. Together, they reduce collagen and underlying connective tissue. The resulting loss of skin elasticity leads to the appearance of lines, skin laity and roughness. A wide range of treatments are available for aged skin. Those include topical retinoids, soft tissue fillers, neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport), cosmeceuticals, chemical peels and energy based devices.
PROCEDURES FOR AGING SKIN & OTHER CONDITIONS
When patients present with age related skin issues, combined therapy is key to target the specific depths. Therefore, a single treatment modality might not achieve satisfaction.
Procedures that target the aging skin include:
At the skin level
Microdermabrasion can decrease the appearance of:
- Fine facial lines
- Scars caused from acne, surgery or injury
- Sun-damaged skin, including age spots
- Uneven skin tone
- Swelling and redness of the nose
You will see results after the first treatment. Lasting and more significant results will occur after four to six treatments spaced ten days to two weeks apart supported by a daily post-treatment routine. Practicing safe sun habits will prolong your results and health of your skin.
Micro-needling is an innovation in aesthetics for the treatment of the appearance of:
- Fine lines
- Acne scars
- The skin’s texture, tone and color
- Reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Younger-looking skin with fewer signs of aging
- Traumatic scars
- Stretch marks
- Reduction of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation
Eclipse MicroPen® creates a fresher appearance and glow to the skin. It’s the most advanced medical-grade automated micro-needling device on the market.
Tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries to the skin to aid in the production of collagen and elastin. The skin’s repair process results in a thicker epidermis with a softer appearance of wrinkles.
Immediately after treatment, you will notice a bright redness to the skin. The total healing time depends on the depth of needles used and the number of overlapping passes your clinical assistant performed. On average, patients will have red skin for two to four days. Some patients heal completely in 24 hours.
Some patients only need a single treatment once a year to achieve optimal results. But, we recommend for most patients to receive a series of two to three treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart. For patients with deep wrinkles, advanced photo aging, stretch marks or acne scars, we recommend six to eight sessions at six-week intervals.
Chemical peels are a skin-resurfacing procedure that removes the top layers of the skin. The regenerated skin is smoother and more youthful in appearance. Chemical peels treat:
- Wrinkles
- Skin discoloration
- Scars
For most patients, we recommend waiting a minimum of one month before your next peel. The frequency and number of peels depends on various factors, which you and your doctor will determine. Practicing safe sun habits will prolong your results and health of your skin.
Photo facials use a light-based technology to:
- Boost collagen
- Lighten any brown spots
- Clear up acne
- Diminish broken capillaries
- Soften facial lines
Photo facials can take anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the area being treated.
Skin care products can help you. There is a lot of information out there today about cleansers, exfoliators, toners and serums. To read more about these products and how they can help, click here.
Dermal fillers have two main aspects: the artistic side and the scientific side. The best dermatologists know exactly how to blend the art and science of dermal fillers. They know exactly where to place them in each unique face and which filler to use to achieve optimal results.
There are several different types of dermal fillers. Each differ in chemical makeup, longevity and have varying degrees of softness. For example, doctors will use softer fillers in the lips and sturdier products for cheekbone enhancement.
Dermal fillers help reduce facial lines and restore fullness in the face. Dermal fillers can:
- Plump thin lips
- Enhance shallow contours
- Soften facial creases and wrinkles
- Improve the appearance of recessed scars
- Decrease or remove the shadow of the lower lids
Please keep in mind that dermal fillers are temporary and that ongoing treatments are necessary for long-lasting results. Some fillers yield immediate results, but others are visible over time. Dermal fillers last from several months to several years depending on the filler used and the patient. Maintaining good skin health will improve longevity.
Botox injections use botulinum toxin to temporarily paralyze muscle activity. Doctors use Botox to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, including:
- Frown lines between the eyebrows
- Lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes (Crow’s Feet)
- Forehead furrows
Treatments last between three and four months. To maintain results, patients will need to schedule regular follow-up injections.
Bone and Fat Loss
For bone loss and fat loss dermal fillers have become widely used minimally invasive treatments for aesthetic indications. There is an array of products that differ in their chemical composition mechanism of action and duration. Learn more about the different types of fillers here.
THE DERMATOLOGY CENTER FOR SKIN HEALTH, PLLC | WHAT CAN WE DO FOR AN AGING FACE?
At the Dermatology Center for Skin Health, we approach the face in thirds: the upper third, the midface and the lower face when addressing the aging face. A combination of treatments may be the best. For example, we might use botox for the upper third of the face, use fillers for the mid and lower face and recommend skin care regimen for collagen stimulation.
The sooner we address the aging face, we can delay more invasive surgical procedures such as face lifts, brow lifts, cheek enhancements and more.
If you’d like to learn more about these cosmetic procedures, download our in-depth guidebook.
If you’re ready to address aging face, contact us: 304-598-3888.
