4 Common Signs of Facial Aging and How to Reverse Them
If you’ve ever woken up one morning, looked in the mirror, and didn’t quite recognize the tired face staring back at you, it may be time to consider treatment options to help you look and feel more youthful and invigorated. Whether the first signs of aging crop up at age 40, 50, or 60 is beside the point. No matter your age, if these common signs of aging are keeping you from feeling your absolute best, you owe it to yourself to spend a little time on boosting your self-confidence.
1. Dull or Discolored Complexion
Years of exposure to the sun’s UV rays, air pollution, and other skin irritants will inevitably catch up to your complexion, leaving your skin looking and feeling dull or uneven. Dark spots, acne scars, and dry, flaky skin can create a tired, lackluster appearance that may be nothing near how you actually feel inside.
There are a variety of professional-grade skincare products and treatments that may be able to help restore a more even and smoother skin tone and texture, although surgical solutions may be more appropriate for those who wish to simultaneously reverse multiple signs of aging.
2. Lines and Wrinkles
Whether they decide to make their debut in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and beyond, the appearance of lines and wrinkles is, unfortunately, unavoidable. As your skin begins to produce less collagen and is able to retain less moisture as part of the natural aging process, permanent lines and wrinkles can form on the forehead, around the mouth, and at the corners of the eyes (The International Dermal Institute).
While there are a number of injectable treatment options like Botox and dermal fillers that can help to reduce their appearance, these results are temporary and will need reapplication every few months.
3. Sagging Skin
Also due to collagen and elastin loss, sagging skin tends to occur as we age. Sometimes referred to as “jowls,” the skin at the corners of the mouth can become lax and appear to sag below the chin line. Additionally, sagging skin around the eyes and forehead can create an aged, tired appearance.
4. Loss of Facial Volume
As we grow older and wiser, the anatomy of our faces goes through some changes as well. Not only does collagen production slow, but bone density also decreases and our facial proportions may shift (Aesthetic Surgery Journal). As a result, aging faces tend to thin and may seem “sunken in” around the cheek area. Some men and women choose to utilize dermal fillers to provide a boost of facial volume, but as with treatments for lines and wrinkles, these injections will need to be readministered every so often.
Improving the Appearance of Facial Aging
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution to these common signs of aging, you could be an excellent candidate for a facelift. During your consultation for this procedure, you can discuss your individual needs and goals with your plastic surgeon. They will be able to provide a detailed assessment of your unique facial structure and design a surgical plan that will complement your natural features.
Through a facelift, your plastic surgeon can remove excess skin and tighten existing skin in the face and neck areas to restore a younger, smoother appearance. When performed by a skilled and experienced professional, a facelift shouldn’t alter your natural features, but rather simply enhance and highlight them (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil of Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Pittsburgh and Wexford has extensive experience performing facelift procedures and is committed to providing high-quality results in a comfortable, relaxing environment. You can view our before and after photos to see examples of real results that Dr. Heil has been able to achieve.
For more information about your facelift options, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heil, please contact us at 724-264-3608 and take the next step toward achieving a younger, brighter look.