Reversing The Effects of Aging On Every Area Of The Face

Anand Patel • Jan 15, 2021

While we can't avoid aging, understanding how it occurs can help us reverse the effects it has on our appearance. A healthy lifestyle will keep us looking younger longer, but overall most people notice one or more of these signs as they grow older:

Brows wrinkle and sag
Upper eyelids droop
Undereyes hollow, creating dark circles
Jawline thins and jowls form
Cheekbones flatten
Lips lose volume
Earlobes become elongated
Neck skin loosens

Most of these issues can be attributed to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, caused by exposure to UV rays and pollution throughout our lives. Fat loss and bone loss also contribute to a hollow, skeletal look. Fortunately, we offer many cosmetic procedures that can reverse these signs of aging.

Forehead

Collagen and elastin are the keys to plump, youthful skin. Throughout our lives, exposure to UV rays and pollution contributes to the breakdown of this tissue. This causes volume loss and tissue laxity in the forehead, leading to forehead wrinkles and droopy brows.

Early on, these wrinkles can be temporarily managed with a chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing. Botulinum is another temporary option that, when used regularly, can actually delay the formation of wrinkles.

For individuals with excessive forehead wrinkles and/or droopy brows, a brow lift is the best way to elevate the skin back to its previous position. This can also help pull the upper eyelids which further adds to a youthful appearance.

Treatments for forehead wrinkles:

Chemical peel
Laser skin resurfacing
Botulinum injections
Brow lift

Eyes

Did you know the eyes are one of the first areas of the face to show signs of aging? Wrinkles around the eyes (called "crow's feet") form as a result of squinting and sun exposure. For some, the upper eyelids are the main cause of concern, as the skin between the eyebrows and lids sags and sometimes even impairs vision. For others, loss of fat under the eyes creates dark circles. Fortunately, there are a variety of nonsurgical and surgical procedures that can be considered.

Crow's feet can be treated with nonsurgical procedures like laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels or botulinum injections. Those with sagging eyelid skin, under-eye bags and dark circles can refresh their appearance with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).

Treatments for aging eyes:

Laser skin resurfacing
Chemical peel
Botulinum injections
Upper eyelid lift
Lower eye lift
Fat repositioning

Earlobes

Earlobes may start to look longer as the tissue becomes weaker. Earlobe reduction surgery will remove extra tissue to bring the ears back into proportion with the rest of the face.

Treatments for elongated earlobes:

Earlobe reduction

Lower Face (Cheeks & Jawline)

Most often, patients who feel like they "look old" are concerned with jowls, wrinkles on the cheeks, hollow cheeks, and deep lines around the mouth. Jowls are the lower parts of the cheek that droop below the jawline and deepen the marionette lines. They change the shape of the face from one that is round with an angular jawline to one that is square. This can give the appearance of aging and increased weight. At the same time, hollowing in the cheeks can create a gaunt, aged appearance.

Patients wanting to treat the first signs of cheek wrinkles can get great results from chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing. Dermal fillers can be used to temporarily smooth out marionette lines as well as fill in gaunt cheeks. Silicone implants will restore the appearance of bone structure where bone loss has occurred in the face, whether its the midface, cheekbones or chin.

To reverse the sagging effects of aging on the lower half of the face, a facelift is still the most effective treatment. If treated early enough, a mini facelift may be sufficient. The most dramatic results can be achieved with a full facelift to lift the skin upwards and back. Our patients often look naturally 7-10 years younger after a deep plane lift.

Treatments for facial wrinkles:

Laser skin resurfacing
Chemical peel
Fillers
Silicone facial implants
Mini lift
Facelift

Mouth

Full, plump lips are a desirable trait. Sadly, aging causes them to look thinner. In addition, laugh lines around the mouth form as the skin loses its ability to "bounce back" from facial expressions.

Similar to wrinkles on the rest of the face, chemical peels and laser skin resurfacing can minimize wrinkles around the mouth. Botulinum injections can be used in very small amounts around the mouth as well.

Dermal fillers can add a nice temporary pout to thin lips. Soft silicone lip implants are the "permanent" filler but can be reversed at any time.

Treatments for thin lips and wrinkles around the mouth:

Laser skin resurfacing
Chemical peel
Fillers
Soft silicone lip implants

Neck

The neck is an overlooked area that gravity takes its toll on with age. A neck lift, or platysmaplasty, is a procedure designed to tighten the neck through an incision just behind the chin. It does not remove excess skin so it works best in patients with neck laxity without jowling. Chin liposuction can be done at the same time if needed to further enhance results.

Treatments for neck laxity:

Neck lift
Chin liposuction

The effects that aging has on our appearance can be a bit disheartening but we are fortunate to have so many options for restoring a look that matches how young we feel inside. If you are interested in any of these procedures, contact Visage Facial Plastic Surgery to set up an appointment for nonsurgical treatments or use this form to schedule a phone consultation for surgical procedures.