Have you ever wondered how you can just tell someone’s age, even if there’s not a wrinkle in sight? What exactly is it that makes us look a certain age, if not just wrinkled skin alone? Maybe you’ve simply wondered, how does the face age?
And more to the point, what can we do about it?!
While Botox and fillers address some causes/effects of ageing, they cannot address all the factors that age the face. And while generally accepted as safe (as were cigarettes before the 1950’s – a controversial comparison maybe!) there are some known risks as well as some potentially unacknowledged risks.
In this blog we talk about all of the combined factors that age the face. We uncover aspects of ageing that we can address, and those we can’t. We’ll explore alternative, safer and more natural anti-ageing treatments in comparison to some of the very popular (but potentially risky) options.
1) LOSS OF FAT IN THE FACE
As we age, we gradually see a reduction in skin plumpness, resulting in loss of facial volume especially around the cheeks. This can lead to wrinkles and jowls as the skin has less support without the fatty under layer. Unfortunately, this happens whether or not we look after our skin. But, skin in great condition will retain a bit of its ‘snap’ and won’t sag as much as neglected skin.
What can we do about facial fat loss?
Dermal fillers can be effective at replenishing loss of volume. While these are extremely popular (and you can understand why) they also come with certain risks. They present risks both at the time of injection and, increasingly, months or even years after. How? You can develop delayed hypersensitivity to the fillers. This is despite many fillers being marketed as ‘natural’ as the main ingredient in many is hyaluronic acid – a substance found naturally in our skin. But bear in mind this is synthetically produced – so your body won’t always recognise it as 100% natural. So while dermal fillers can be extremely effective when injected by a fully qualified and experienced professional, they don’t come without their down sides.
Kick-starting your body’s natural production of collagen is by far the safer alternative. While this option may not give such dramatic results compared to fillers, it’s important you consider what’s most important to you (risks vs results), with the knowledge you have.
2) DECLINE IN MUSCLE TONE
We need to work our facial muscles, just like we do our body’s muscles – ‘use it or lose it’. As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass and this includes in our face. As a result the skin on our face can look saggy, particularly around the jowls and nasolabial area.
But fear not, there are remedies!
What can we do about loss of facial muscle mass?
Face Yoga can be effective in toning muscle. The downside is the repetitive extreme facial expressions that work the muscles may also contribute to lines & wrinkles!
MICRO-CURRENT
There are some effective and reasonably priced home devices that use a micro current to work the facial muscles. You need to use these daily in order to see any results. Results are subtle, but you’ll see some muscle tone over time with regular and continued use, meaning your face defies gravity that little bit more.
And it’s not just lifting & toning you get from micro current devices: they boost circulation and enhance absorption of skincare products. Significantly, micro current releases a hormone (ATP) that helps to generate collagen and elastin, the building blocks of younger looking skin.
In-clinic treatments such as CACI are also available, with stronger currents than those in the home devices.
3) ALTERATIONS IN BONE STRUCTURE
Here’s a major factor in answering “how does the face age”: Our skull’s structure changes over time due to the natural process of bone resorption. This can result in 
sagging skin and changes in the positioning of features, particularly for those who haven’t maintained the integrity of their skin too well. But even if the skin is kept in tip-top condition, bone resorption is the main factor that means we can just tell someone’s approximate age. Perhaps it’s better to optimise and maintain your natural beauty rather than chasing eternal youth to the extreme. Ageing is a privilege denied to many – and there are so many benefits that come with age!
What can we do about shifts in bone structure?
Unfortunately, addressing bone density and structure is limited. One thing you can do is to optimise bone health. Plenty of calcium and Vitamin D, along with light-impact & weight-bearing exercise will help to maintain overall bone density.
4) LOSS OF COLLAGEN AND ELASTIN
Loss of collagen & elastin is a major factor in ageing skin. Collagen levels in women start to decline from as early as the mid to late 20’s, then more rapidly from the 40’s (and full-on decline into the menopause).
Loss of collagen and elastin means loss of volume, loss of firmness resulting in sagging, gauntness, lines & wrinkles and a generally dull complexion.
What can we do about loss of collagen and elastin?
Some good news!! –there’s lots we can do to boost collagen and elastin without invasive or risky procedures.
In addition to lifestyle factors that help keep your skin in optimal condition, there are some clinically proven, advanced skin treatments that kick start your collagen and elastin production naturally, without injecting the slightest bit of toxin into your face or body.
BOOSTING COLLAGEN & ELASTIN NATURALLY
These hero procedures are Radiofrequency Microneedling and HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound). Both are proven and effective collagen/elastin boosting procedures for the face, neck and body.
Both treatments individually produce exceptional results, stimulating production of your natural collagen & elastin. This will lift, firm & tighten the skin. It will also improve texture, reduce wrinkles and improve scarring. If appropriate, these treatments can be combined for even more substantial results.
Final results can take 3-6 months to show. This is the time needed for the body to produce new collagen & elastin naturally, after the ‘minor controlled trauma’ to your skin during treatment. The icing on the cake is that these treatments are non-to-minimally invasive, with no down time.
In summary
In exploring the question “how does the face age”?, we’ve discovered that it’s the decline in muscle tone, subcutaneous fat, bone structure and collagen & elastin that are the primary factors in ageing the face. And we now know that there are both synthetic and natural ways we can address most of these.
Knowledge is key, and with this knowledge you can weigh up the risks and benefits of all the options we’ve talked about.
The great thing about Radiofrequency Microneedling and HIFU is that they encourage your body’s natural production of collagen & elastin – vital for radiant and firm skin (and not a toxin in sight).
Inducing your body’s natural production of collagen and elastin will address the majority of the factors that age the face. It’ll help reduce the unwanted effects of age-related reduction in collagen, underlying fat and muscle mass.
I’d Love to Help
My well established clinic is based in Christchurch, not far from Bournemouth, Ringwood, Southampton and Poole. It’s a private, home based clinic so you can be assured of comfort, privacy, a warm welcome and of course the highest standards in cosmetic tattooing, as well as anti-ageing treatments, that are bespoke to you.
I look forward to meeting you.
Alex x
