what makes people look older

If you were to ask people to explain what it is that makes an aging person look older, most would say it’s wrinkles. This seems to be the go-to feature that people associate with aging. However, there are many ways in which the aging process changes your appearance, and there are several traits that can give away your age. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has been working with patients for over twenty years, I have a passion for educating others about my areas of expertise. In that interest, this breakdown can help you have a better understanding about the many forms aging can take and the ways you can fight them.

Wrinkles

In the earlier stages (often the late 20s and early 30s), signs of aging can begin to appear in the form of a few expression lines. In areas like the forehead, the outer corners of the eyes, and the space between the eyebrows, the muscles you use to make facial expressions can develop creases which appear as wrinkles in your skin. As the years progress, fat deposits will shift and the skin loses some of its firmness, which leads wrinkles to develop around the mouth and nose, above the upper lip, and on the front of the chin.

Facial Structure

Few of my plastic surgery patients actually recognize how much their underlying facial structure can change with age – they think of aging as something that happens to their skin. In actuality, facial fat often fades and shifts so that you develop “hollows” in your cheeks while developing more fullness around the jowl area. Similarly, facial muscles can shift and lose tone. At the same time, bones can lose volume as well, and because cartilage may continue to grow, some patients notice their ears or nose becoming longer.

Sagging Skin

When you’re young, your body produces plenty of collagen and elastin – unique proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. These proteins are constantly being broken down and replaced, but the problem is that as you get older, your body produces less and less of them. That means that your skin gradually has less ability to maintain its youthful firmness, and this is what gives rise to common problems like jowls and sagging skin on the neck. While it’s often at its most noticeable on the face, this same process happens to other areas of the body as well, like the arms, legs, chest, and more.

Wrinkles, facial restructuring, and sagging skin all combine together to create an aging appearance, and it’s a combination of all of them that gives away your age. Why is it important to have an understanding of the complexity of aging? Recognizing this concept is instrumental in helping you rejuvenate your appearance in a natural-looking way. Instead of solely focusing on your wrinkles and expecting to truly look like a younger you, aim for procedures which can actually address aging in a well-rounded way. While this might sound like a more extensive process, it can actually be done in a minimally invasive way with procedures like my Band Aid Facelift or a Band Aid Micro Mini Face Lift. While they are surgeries, both of these procedures are performed in-office using gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia. Whether it’s a specialized cosmetic surgery like a Band Aid Facelift or another procedure or combination of treatments (like nonsurgical skin tightening, injectables, or laser skin resurfacing), taking a more well-rounded approach to your facial rejuvenation can help you get the results you want rather than a half-hearted improvement.

If you’re ready to start getting your confidence back and becoming your most confident and beautiful self, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. For more plastic surgery tips and fun facts, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.