Aging gracefully is a beautiful thing, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to slow down its effects, especially when it comes to the way our faces change with age.
Aging is unavoidable, a payoff for our years of experience and wisdom. Aches and pains aside, facial changes are the ones that we usually pay the most attention to. A mix of lifestyle and genetics feeds into just how much we see our reflection change over the years, and even the most youthful of faces will eventually succumb to volume loss, wrinkles, and excess skin. Luckily, a number of treatments and products are now available to help us make the best of aging gracefully and hold back the years.
Why our faces change as we age
Dozens of changes occur to our entire bodies throughout the years, and our faces carry many of those. External changes such as receding hairlines and growing noses and ears are obvious (thanks to the fact that cartilage continues to grow). The structural moves going on underneath the skin are the real foundations of the aging process.
A study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal lists the major forces that contribute to facial aging as gravity, skeletal remodeling, subcutaneous fat redistribution and loss, hormonal imbalance, chronic solar exposure, and smoking. Environmental factors, including mental stress, diet, work habits, drug abuse, and disease, are also theorized to affect facial appearance. While we can’t control the internal changes our faces go through completely, we can manage the environmental ones and reduce the speed at which the internal changes occur.
How our faces change as we get older
The most significant changes in our faces come down to volume loss. If you can’t quite pinpoint just why you’re starting to look older around the edges, it’s probably down to the loss of collagen and fat that create smooth, plump, and youthful appearances. Surprisingly, this collagen loss begins for most in their 20s and over time can develop into aesthetic issues such as sunken eye sockets, flatter cheeks, and sagging jowls around the jawline.
In fact, the other significant changes to our faces, which show that we’re getting older, including wrinkles and the appearance of excess skin, are all linked to this breakdown of collagen too. Although collagen loss is entirely natural, there are ways to retain youthful looks for longer.
Everyday habits that can help retain your youthful looks
Eat a diet rich in amino acids, which boosts collagen production. While fish is famous for its amino acids, you can also get a boost from citrus fruits, berries, and beans.
Keep your skin smooth and soft with regular exfoliation to remove the dead, dull skin cells and boost circulation at the skin’s surface for a brighter complexion.
Spend time outside. A 2016 study found that time in the great outdoors makes us happier and increases our energy levels, both of which help us feel younger from the inside out!
Treatments that slow down the aging process
Boosting lifestyle changes with cosmetic treatments is an excellent balance for everyone who wants to grow old gracefully, and it’s best to start as early as possible. After all, staying in great shape will always keep us looking and feeling our best. To complement lifestyle changes, treatments range from Medical-Grade Peels and Botox®/Dysport® to Dermal Fillers and PDO Thread Lifts to suit every person and their individual needs.
Want to know the best anti-aging treatment route for you? Call (480) 473-1111 today to book a consultation.