Aging affects the texture of the skin as well as the shape of the face. While everyone experiences these effects over time, you may notice that certain signs of aging appear more predominantly than others. For instance, some people may notice deep lines and wrinkles whereas other people may experience a loss of volume or sagging skin. Below we will discuss the different types of facial aging as well as the best treatments to help with each type.
Loss of volume
The first type of facial aging we’re going to discuss is characterized by a loss of volume in the face. When we’re young, fat in the face is evenly distributed to plump up the forehead, temples, cheeks, and areas around the eyes and mouth. With age, however, that fat loses volume and tends to shift downward. Volume loss around key areas of the face can cause a sunken, hollowed out appearance. The most common areas where this volume loss occurs are the temples, mid-face, and the area below the cheekbones.
This type of facial aging is best treated with dermal fillers. Injectable dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to restore volume, with the most popular type being hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that attracts and binds water, keeping the skin hydrated as well as giving it volume. Dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid include Restylane®, Juvederm®, Refyne®, and Vollure™.
Sagging skin
Sagging skin develops as the connective tissue underneath the skin loses integrity over time. This occurs due to the weakening and eventual breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers within the connective tissue. Collagen is a protein that gives skin strength and durability while elastin is a protein that maintains the skin’s elasticity. Therefore, treatments must stimulate the production of new collagen in order to correct this type of facial aging. Dr. Krant recommends either Ultherapy or Infini RF Microneedling.
Ultherapy® is the only non-surgical procedure that uses ultrasound technology to stimulate your body’s own production of collagen below the skin’s surface to achieve a rejuvenated, more youthful look from your brow to your chest.
Infini radiofrequency (RF) microneedling is a unique technology that combines the powerful electrothermal energy of fractional radiofrequency with microneedling to create a type of controlled injury underneath the surface of your skin. The body then repairs these injuries by producing new collagen, which gives the skin a more firm, youthful appearance.
Lines and wrinkles
Lines and wrinkles represent a type of facial aging that affects everyone at some point in life. They are often located around the eyes, brows, and lips. This is because lines and wrinkles are caused by frequent fine motor movements of the facial muscles repeated over many years. Dr. Krant offers many treatments that can effectively smooth away the appearance of lines and wrinkles, but the most effective options include Botox® and Dysport®. These are both neuromodulators that work beneath the skin’s surface, targeting the muscle activity that causes lines and small wrinkles.
What to do about the different types of facial aging
The best way to address any type of facial aging is to develop a dermatologist-designed skin care regimen, which typically involves a combination of the aforementioned treatments. By scheduling a consultation, Dr. Krant can customize a treatment plan based on your specific needs and desired outcomes.
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