We all understand that feeling of looking in the mirror and wondering who is looking back at you. The young, fresh-faced person with no lines, wrinkles and a killer bone structure you once saw has been replaced by someone you don’t even recognise. This can often lead us to feeling disheartened and less confident as the ageing process takes its course.
The younger face can be characterised by certain features. This comprises of a prominent bone structure, including high cheekbones and a defined lower face, strong facial features including full lips, an even distribution of fat, and firm, smooth skin which are free of wrinkles while resting.
These features decline in prominence gradually as the skin, bone, muscle and fat are affected by the ageing process. This results in a drastic difference in appearance as we age. How quickly you will experience these changes differs between individuals, dependent on genetics and lifestyle.
What happens to our face as we age?
Changes in the Skin
It’s safe to say that age is not a friend to our skin. It becomes more dry, less firm, duller, and can even develop blemishes such as hyperpigmentation and pronounced blood vessels.
Our bodies produce 1% less collagen each year of adult life and production has stopped entirely by age 40. Due to decreasing collagen, our skin is less firm and drier, causing wrinkles to develop. Due to a reduction in elastin, wrinkles will develop as the skin’s ability to stretch back and forth is compromised.
We experience changes in the skin’s connective tissues, causing skin to sag and hang loosely, which results in drooping eyebrows and eyelids, the appearance of jowls under the jawline and a double chin. Due to a thinning of the epidermis layer of the skin, it appears more translucent, paler and thinner.
The transfer of moisture slows between the layers of skin, causing it to be drier and contributing to the appearance of wrinkles. There may be a further development of wrinkles due to environmental factors such as a poor diet, smoking and sun exposure. The decreased collagen and elastin results in the lips becoming smaller and less prominent. Additionally, as we age, we produce less hyaluronic acid, making our skin feel tight, complexions look dry and dull, and wrinkles more visible.
Changes in fat, muscle and bone mass
When we are younger, we have an even distribution of fat around the face. As we age, we experience changes in fat distribution which causes our face to change shape. Volume loss from fat pads results in hollowness in certain areas, deep grooves appearing and a sagging appearance.
In other areas, we experience an increase in fat, causing the appearance of jowls and a double chin. Our once youthful face which resembled an inverted triangle changes to a bottom-heavy shape. We experience a decrease in bone mass, resulting in a less prominent bone structure. The jawline and chin are less defined, the lips become straight and angular, and the cheekbones are less prominent.
What can we do about it?
Does this resonate with you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Everyone will experience this as the years pass by. But the good news is that at Second Look Aesthetics, our expert practitioners can reverse signs of ageing, helping you to feel fresh, beautiful and more like YOU again.
We can use a variety of different treatments to combat signs of ageing. At your appointment, we will conduct an in-depth facial assessment and recommend the best combination of treatments for you, to target any signs of ageing you are personally experiencing.
Anti-Wrinkle Injections
Anti-wrinkle injections work by temporarily paralysing certain facial muscles responsible for expression. Due to the lack of movement, fine lines and wrinkles are prevented from forming and existing lines are softened. This will leave you with a fresher, more youthful appearance.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used in areas in which you are experiencing volume loss, due to bone, muscle and fat decreasing. Jawline and chin fillers can be used to replace bone loss in the lower face, leaving you with a more prominent bone structure. Cheek fillers can be used to replace lost volume and contour the mid-face, to create the appearance of high cheekbones, a common sign of youth.
Additionally, dermal fillers can be used to fill-in any areas of the face which have developed creases or hollowing. Most commonly, the under-eye areas can be treated with tear trough filler, while the lines which frequently occur around the mouth can be treated with nasolabial folds and marionette lines treatments. This will leave you with a smoother, more refreshed and younger-looking appearance.
Hyaluronic Acid Skin Boosters
Due to the changes which occur within your skin, leaving it drier and more prone to wrinkles, treatments which add more moisture will greatly enhance your appearance. One of our favourite treatments to assist with this issue is Seventy Hyal 2000. Small amounts of hyaluronic acid are injected superficially into the skin’s surface, improving hydration levels and providing a multitude of benefits.
The treatment stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, for firmer, tighter skin. Additionally, skin tone and texture is improved, while the additional moisture will leave you with a radiant glow, for a younger-looking appearance.
Skin Care
Alongside skin boosters, taking good care of your skin on a daily basis will assist you in looking younger for longer. We recommend having a good skincare routine which keeps your skin hydrated, preventing additional wrinkles from forming and minimising the appearance of existing ones. We offer a range of different facial treatments to suit your personal skin concerns and needs.
