How and Why Does Our Face Age? Understanding Facial Ageing
Ageing is something every skin experiences, but facial ageing is much more complex than simply developing wrinkles.
As we age, changes occur throughout the skin and the underlying structures of the face. Collagen and elastin gradually change, the skin can become thinner and less resilient, facial volume can shift or decrease, and changes occur within the deeper tissues that support the face. Environmental factors, particularly cumulative UV exposure, can accelerate some of these changes.
This is why anti-ageing treatment should not be about treating one wrinkle in isolation. A comprehensive approach considers the quality of the skin, firmness, texture, pigmentation, vascular changes and facial volume.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Ageing
There are two broad components to how our skin ages: intrinsic ageing and extrinsic ageing.
Intrinsic Ageing
Intrinsic ageing is the natural biological ageing process.
Over time, the skin undergoes changes including reduced collagen production, changes to elastin and alterations in the dermal structure. Skin renewal can also slow, contributing to changes in texture and thickness.
These changes are part of normal ageing and cannot be completely stopped.
Extrinsic Ageing
Extrinsic ageing refers to environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to visible ageing.
UV exposure is one of the most significant contributors to premature skin ageing. Repeated UV exposure can contribute to collagen breakdown, changes in elastin and pigmentation, collectively contributing to what is often referred to as photoageing.
Other factors, including smoking and environmental exposure, can also contribute to oxidative stress and changes within the skin.
This is why daily SPF50+ is one of the foundations of an effective long-term skin ageing strategy.
Collagen and Elastin: The Skin's Support System
Collagen provides much of the structural support within the dermis, while elastin contributes to the skin's ability to stretch and return towards its original shape.
As we age, changes to these structural proteins contribute to loss of firmness, elasticity and the development of wrinkles. Fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing important components of the dermal extracellular matrix, also change with age.
This is one reason collagen stimulation is an important concept in modern skin rejuvenation.
Facial Ageing Happens in More Than One Layer
One of the most important things to understand about facial ageing is that it is not simply a problem with the surface of the skin.
Changes can occur across multiple layers of the face, including the skin, subcutaneous fat, supporting ligaments and deeper structural tissues. Facial volume can also change and redistribute over time.
This can contribute to concerns such as:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Loss of skin firmness
Crepey skin
Reduced elasticity
Changes in facial contours
Loss of facial volume
Hollowing in some areas
Jowling
Changes around the jawline
Pigmentation and sun damage
Visible vessels and redness
Because these changes are interconnected, there is rarely one treatment that addresses every aspect of facial ageing.
Can We Stimulate Collagen?
Yes. A number of aesthetic treatments are designed to stimulate skin remodelling and collagen production.
Energy-based treatments such as fractional CO2 laser and focused ultrasound can stimulate a wound-healing or thermal response that promotes dermal remodelling and neocollagenesis.
Biostimulatory treatments can also be used with the aim of encouraging changes within the dermal tissue rather than simply adding volume. The evidence varies between different products and treatment approaches, so treatment should be individualised.
Different Treatments Address Different Aspects of Ageing
At Epicell, our approach is to assess what is actually changing within your skin and face rather than automatically choosing the same treatment for everyone.
Depending on your concerns, an anti-ageing treatment plan may include:
CO2 laserFractional CO2 can be used to resurface the skin while creating a controlled wound-healing response that promotes dermal remodelling and collagen formation.
HIFUHIFU delivers focused ultrasound energy at selected depths and can be used to target tissue laxity and stimulate collagen remodelling.
Laser GenesisA non-ablative laser approach can be used to improve aspects of skin quality, including texture and the appearance of redness, with minimal disruption to the skin surface.
Excel V+Vascular and pigmentation concerns can be assessed and, where appropriate, treated with vascular-focused laser technology.
BiostimulatorsBiostimulatory injectables are designed to encourage biological changes within the skin and can form part of a broader facial rejuvenation plan.
Volume replacementWhen age-related volume loss contributes to changes in facial proportions or contour, appropriately selected volume restoration may be considered.
Anti-Ageing Is Not About Looking Different
For many people, the goal of facial rejuvenation is not to change who they are.
It is about maintaining healthy-looking skin, supporting the structures that change with time and addressing the specific signs of ageing that concern them.
The most appropriate approach will depend on your anatomy, skin condition, age-related changes, lifestyle, previous treatments and goals.
A Personalised Approach to Facial Ageing
At Epicell Skin Clinic in Pascoe Vale, Melbourne, we assess your skin and facial changes before developing an individual treatment plan.
Rather than treating ageing as simply a problem of wrinkles, we consider skin quality, texture, pigmentation, redness, laxity and facial volume.
Your treatment plan may involve one treatment or a combination of approaches performed over time.
Ageing is natural. The goal of aesthetic skin treatments is not to stop the clock, but to support the skin and address the changes that matter to you.
Comments