We feel the years creeping up on us, and whether it is a milestone birthday or an upcoming event, we look at ourselves more closely, and realize that our skin isn’t the same! Overwhelmed by options to address our aging face, it seems impossible to decide where to start.
Let’s start by looking at what happens to our complexions over the years, and then we can look at some solutions.
The skin ages in four basic ways:
First, we lose the underlying structure, or scaffolding, as I like to refer to it. This results in the skin sagging. We are tempted to pull at our skin, lift the jowls, to reveal the tightened or “redraped” skin. This is the work of the plastic surgeon, but this may not be necessary or appropriate at this time.
Second, there are facial muscles, that when “exercised” during expressions, result in creases in the skin. This is much like folding a piece of paper or ironing a crease in fabric. The more it’s done, the longer lasting and deeper the crease. I address these lines by injecting a purified protein, Botox or Dysport, to weaken those muscles. This way, I minimize unbecoming expression lines, such as the vertical furrows between the brows.
Third, the sun and other environmental factors take a toll on the texture of our skin, resulting in the appearance of blood vessels and brown blotches. A youthful glow is replaced by a complexion that appears dull and coarse. Many topical products, known as cosmeceuticals, improve the texture of the skin. Ingredients such as antioxidants, skin lighteners, growth factors, and acids, have been scientifically shown to result in a smoother and more even complexion.
Finally, we lose the volume in our skin. Short of gaining an extra 10 to 15 pounds, we need to replace that loss. The area around the mouth is especially prone to lines resulting from volume loss. The corners of the mouth may turn downward, and the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth deepen. Fillers, many of which contain hyaluronic acid, are injected into these lines and furrows, resulting in more full, youthful contours.
So there is my answer to being overwhelmed! At a cosmetic consultation, I will look at the factors affecting your complexion and address your specific concerns. With the appropriate therapeutic solutions, you can achieve a natural and more youthful look!
