Take Control of the Ageing Process - The Solutions for Each Decade
It’s a fact of life that every face will age. Genes, race, gender, environmental factors and lifestyle choices all play a part in how quickly we show the signs of ageing, but studies have pinpointed that five different cell processes decline at five different landmark ages.
I would like to offer an insight here into what to expect from the ageing process and how to manage it, with appropriate treatment that embraces the ageing process, whilst maintaining the patient’s appearance. For myself, and for many of my colleagues, the aim is to always ensure that a patient still looks like themselves, on their very best day.
Age: Twenties
It’s likely that our skin will look its best. This is the ‘post-acne, pre-wrinkles’ phase. It is also this period that can determine what the skin will look like later in life, so it’s essential that patients adopt a skincare regime and take protective measures. The first process to decline in the twenties is the natural antioxidant production. Even at this young age, the skin is already susceptible to oxidative stressors and damage.
The Problems
Genetic and environmental factors have an impact on how quickly we age and, from as early as 25 years old, collagen production starts to decline, and the process of skin ageing begins. For some, fine lines may begin to show, or skin could become dry – all of this whilst more extreme conditions, such as acne or its resultant scars, can still be problematic. The loss of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin becomes evident in our mid to late twenties. Static lines start to develop as a result of facial movement, and we may find vertical lines appearing between our brows, and horizontal ones above them.
The Solutions
We work with ZO Skin Health, to create skincare packages to suit a range of concerns, from acne to rosacea and sun spots. To counteract collagen loss, BOTOX® can be used to decrease the intensity of the muscle action, resulting in a softer, smoother appearance – this can also be used as a preventative measure in the late twenties.
Age: Thirties
Our thirties - a decade that is more stressful than any other. I certainly hear this from many of my patients, who begin to make enquiries about treatment around this age. They may be juggling work and family life, experiencing stress and a lack of sleep. This can all have a direct impact on the skin, but external conditions alone are not responsible for the quickening of the ageing process.
The Problems
During our thirties, the body’s metabolism starts to slow, as does the bioenergy of skin cells. From the mid-thirties onwards, collagen and elastin are depleting at a faster rate, making the skin appear drier, with an increased appearance of lines. For many women, the latter half of their thirties is when hormone levels begin to drop, which may dry the skin out further. Lines start to develop as a result of facial movement, with existing lines deepening over time. The cheeks are one of the first places that we lose volume, which begins to happen in the early and mid-thirties. The contour, shape and height of the cheeks is lost, and hollows underneath the eyes can start to appear. The unsupported skin begins to move towards the folds at the nose-to-mouth lines, making these appear deeper.
The Solutions
Treatment at this age will help to maintain the appearance of the skin and prevent further action, slowing the ageing process temporarily. Medical skincare stimulates the now-lazy fibroblast cells, to work more efficiently at producing hyaluronic acid and collagen. Chemical peels are designed to optimise and support skin’s restoration and rejuvenation, so these become a popular treatment for patients to restore texture and radiance. BOTOX® can be used to decrease the intensity of muscle action, resulting in a smoother appearance. Dermal fillers are an effective and minimally-invasive way to replace lost volume in the cheeks, helping to maintain their youthful height, and can also be used to boost the chin, giving a more ‘lifted’ appearance. Our aim when treating patients in their thirties should only ever be to replace what has been lost.
The Age: Forties
Around the age of forty, cellular senescence kicks in. It’s a complicated process, in which the natural life cycle of skin cells is arrested, affecting the complexion in many ways. At this point, prescription skincare is necessary and additional aesthetic procedures can make a real difference.
The Problems
The skin is thinner and less hydrated than ever before, and uneven skintone, rosacea and sun spots can all become prevalent. The thin skin of the lower eyelids becomes even thinner, allowing the dark colour of the underlying muscle to show through. Fine lines around the eyes and mouth become more noticeable, and volume loss continues, lowering the brow, drawing in the temple and creating a hollowed effect under the eyes. The overall result can be a sad, tired appearance, even in an otherwise happy and rested face. As the face loses its architectural support in the upper third, there are consequences in the lower half of the face, with the appearance of mild to moderate jowls.
The Solutions
A medicated skincare system becomes a priority once a patient reaches their forties. Chemical peels can help to lift areas of pigmentation, for a more even complexion. BOTOX® can be used to further weaken muscle intensity, which has by now caused wrinkles between and above the brows, as well as crow’s feet around the eyes. I like to use BOTOX® sparingly, allowing some wrinkles to remain, for the most natural effect. Dermal fillers remain a very effective treatment on patients of this age, to restore volume and youthful contours.
Age: Fifties, and beyond
Patients of this age will notice a loss of muscle, bone and fat under the skin. This, along with changes in the production of collagen and elastin, make fine lines and wrinkles more dramatic –particularly true in the case of patients who are either smokers or sun-worshippers.
The Problems
The volume loss we have already seen increases, resulting in further lowering of the brow, drawing-in of the temples, and a pronounced hollowing under the eyes. The face has lost much of its architectural support in the upper third – the consequences of this show in the lower half of the face. Patients develop a deepening of lines and folds in the face, particularly with nasolabial and marionette lines, which are more established. At this age, faces tend to look sad or tired, and many patients may feel that this face no longer reflects who they are inside.
The Solutions
Dermal fillers allow us to restore the volume that has been lost, replacing fullness without changing the face. The aim should always be to look youthful, not younger. I also recommend the Silhouette Soft® thread lift, where polylactic acid threads, with polylactic acid/glycol polymer cones attached, are inserted under the skin. Gentle traction causes the cones to grip on to tissue, allowing an instant mechanical lift. The procedure also creates a biological lift, as the threads and cones break down after twelve weeks, stimulating collagen production, tightening the skin. This is a very effective treatment for women of this age, helping them to regain control of ageing in a natural-looking way. Whatever stage of life patients are at, they should always be able to look and feel the best they can for their age. The use of aesthetic procedures, in a considered manner, can help them to do just that.