Featured Expert:
The natural aging process can negatively affect every part of the body, including the skin. From wrinkles on the forehead to hollows under the eyes, aging skin on the face is a common concern for many people. Kofi Boahene, MD, director of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine, explains how your skin ages and which facial rejuvenation procedures may be right for you.
What are the signs of an aging face?
Everyone’s face ages differently, but there are tell-tale signs that facial skin is losing some of its firmness and elasticity. “A youthful face has certain characteristics,” Boahene explains, “such as a defined neck and jawline, firm skin, high eyebrows, short eyelids and an egg-like shape.”
Aging usually starts on the eyelids and around the eyes. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the face. As you age, you may notice dark circles and hollows under the eyes, making the eyes appear sunken. Some people also develop puffiness under the eyes, drooping or excess eyelid skin, or fine lines at the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet).
Facial fat also begins to move downward, especially in the cheeks, Boahene says. The skin may appear droopy around the nose, cheeks and jawline. Many people develop wrinkles, lines and folds, including deep frown lines on or around their lips. Then, the fat around the jaw and neck moves down and people get “the jowls”.
Other common signs of facial aging include:
- Changes in the contour of the face (the bottom becomes wider, the face becomes more square)
- Dull skin texture
- Greater resources
- Less definition
- Pigmentation changes (skin discoloration)
How does skin age?
The skin has three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. Most age-related skin changes involve the dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin. The dermis contains many of the substances that keep the skin firm and smooth, such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Around 35 we start to lose these substances and the skin becomes loose.
There is also a layer of fat under the skin called subcutaneous fat, which gives your face volume and definition. As the skin loses collagen, elastin and other substances that keep it firm, the fat pads around the eyelids, cheeks, temples and chin shift downward. As a result, the face loses its contour and wrinkles, and lines and loose skin begin to develop.
Are there ways to improve the appearance of an aging face?
You can improve the appearance of an aging face in a number of ways, both non-surgically and surgically. Some of the more common goals for facial rejuvenation include:
- Restore the volume and contour of the face
- Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hollows under the eyes
- Correct forehead wrinkles and loose eyebrows
- Tighten loose skin around the neck and jawline
- Correct color changes
Achieving a natural-looking facelift
Restore facial volume and contour
Facial fat grafting, or fat transfer, is a more permanent solution for sagging skin and lost facial volume. A surgeon takes fat from elsewhere on your body (usually the abdomen or thighs) and injects it into select areas on your face.
There are two types of fat transfer:
- Microfat grafting uses fat to fill in areas of the face such as the cheeks, forehead and lips.
- Inoculation of nanofats includes further micro-fat treatment for use on more targeted skin concerns such as:
- Improving skin texture
- Minimize dark circles
- Reduction of fine lines
- Reducing the appearance of acne scars
- Upper eyelid surgery repairs loose, loose skin under the eyes. This can usually be done under local anaesthetic.
- Lower eyelid surgery improves drooping lower eyelids, reduces puffiness and bags under the eyes and tightens excess skin and smoothes wrinkles.
Reduce the appearance of under-eye wrinkles and hollows
Nanofat injections can help improve the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, hollows under the eyes and sunken eyes. But for sagging skin or puffiness around the eyes, you may need blepharoplasty.
Also called eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) or eyelid rejuvenation, this procedure helps redefine the shape of an eye. The procedure can address problems in the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both:
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) | Q&A
Correct forehead wrinkles and drooping eyebrows
Certain injectables can smooth lines on the forehead and minimize wrinkles between the eyebrows. “These treatments may be suitable for people with dynamic wrinkles – fine lines caused by facial expressions,” says Boahene. “But once wrinkles become static or dig deep into your skin, you may need to consider dermal fillers or microfat grafting to plump them up.”
Injectables and fillers cannot correct a droopy brow. One Eyebrow lift is a more effective and permanent solution to correct damaged eyebrows. Also called a forehead lift, a brow lift removes excess fat and tightens the skin and muscle tissue on the forehead and forehead.
Tighten loose skin around the neck and jawline
The most effective treatment for tightening the skin around the jawline and neck, reducing the appearance of legs, is neck lift surgery. A neck lift creates a smoother, firmer jawline. Restores facial definition without over-tightening the face or making it look drawn. Neck lift:
- Removes excess fat in the lower part of the face and under the chin
- Tightens loose neck skin
- Minimizes deep smile lines
Achieve a natural-looking neck lift
Correct color changes
Skin discoloration can be corrected with effective skin care products, chemical peels, or laser treatment.
How can I maintain a youthful face after cosmetic surgery?
After an aesthetic procedure, it is important to:
- Stay out of the sun: Protect your face from sun exposure by wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats when outside.
- Establish a skincare routine: Use facial products with antioxidants, such as vitamin C. Antioxidants help remove skin-damaging free radicals. Apply the products as directed to ensure maximum absorption.
- Take treatments as recommended by your doctor: Some people need touch-ups after facial rejuvenation procedures. Discuss with your doctor how long the results of your facial rejuvenation procedure may last and when you should consider having it.
Seminar
Saving Face: Tips to help refresh aging skin
Age-related facial changes don’t have to be noticeable. Learn about surgical and non-surgical options for treating the signs of aging from Dr. Kofi Boachen.
