What is facial aging and what causes it?
Facial aging refers to how the appearance of your face
changes with age. Facial aging occurs mainly as the result of (1) skin changes
and (2) changes in the deeper soft tissues of the face. Factors that influence
external skin changes include natural aging, skin type, sun exposure, facial
movement, and routine skin care. Facial fat deeper within the face thins with
normal aging and, as gravity pulls on the face, the underlying soft tissues
droop. These two types of changes are separate processes and require different
treatments.
What kind of skin changes occur with aging?
As the skin ages, it looses its elasticity and skin tone,
which eventually leads to fine and coarse wrinkles. The surface of the skin
might become rough and dry. The outer layer thins, which gives the skin a
translucent appearance and might reveal small underlying blood vessels. Sun
exposure causes freckles, irregular facial pigmentation (skin coloring), as well
as pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions. These are the changes that can be
improved with chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser resurfacing.
What kind of gravitational changes occur?
Gravity causes stretching and looseness (laxity) in the
supporting ligaments (flexible bands of tissues) of the face. As a result, the
forehead and eyebrows droop, and folds of skin develop on the eyelid. Fat in the
cheeks also droops, which results in deepening of the smile lines and the
formation of jowls. The neck begins to sag and develops neck bands.
These changes cannot be corrected with chemical peels,
dermabrasion, or laser therapy, but require procedures such as a face lift, neck
lift, forehead lift, or eyelid surgery to re-drape the skin and re-elevate the
underlying deep structures.
What kind of daily skin care should I be using?
Healthy skin starts with prevention. Daily skin care should
include skin cleansers, moisturizers, and especially sunscreens to prevent
accelerated aging of the skin. Daily skin care programs are also available to
help enhance sun-damaged skin. These programs might include cleansers or lotions
containing alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic or lactic acid.
Bleaching agents such as hydroquinone (Eldoquin Forte®,
Melanex®, Solaquin®) and kojic acid might also benefit
patients with mild pigmentation abnormalities. Many patients can benefit from
tretinoin (Retin-A®), which increases the thickness and health of the
skin. Other products available include salicylic acids and vitamin C solutions
or cream. Daily sun protection is a must to maintain the benefits of the
prescribed skin care and prevent any further sun damage.
Many factors determine which combination of skin care products
is right for you. Consultation with a plastic surgeon trained in skin care can
help you develop the correct approach for your skin care needs.
How do skin resurfacing treatments work?
Skin treatments such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, and
laser resurfacing improve skin tone and pigmentation by removing the sun-damaged
outer layers of the skin. As the surface heals, a thicker and healthier outer
skin layer (epidermis) develops, and new collagen (skin protein) forms in the
deeper skin layers (dermis). Essentially, the skin takes on characteristics of
younger skin, including improved texture and tone, the improvement of facial
wrinkles and evening irregular pigmentation.
Which treatment is right for me?
Many factors will influence which procedure is right for
you, including:
- The location and the type of skin changes
- The degree of sun damage
- Your natural skin type (color)
- Your expectations
- The amount of time you are willing to dedicate to recovery
A consultation with a plastic surgeon can help you identify your
concerns and skin care needs. Mild skin changes common with aging and sun damage
require light- or medium-depth peels. Moderate changes should be treated with a
medium-depth peel, dermabrasion, or laser resurfacing. Severe skin changes
require a deep chemical peel, dermabrasion, or deeper laser resurfacing.
The deeper the treatment, the more time your skin will need to
heal. In general, recovery for superficial chemical peels is three to seven days
depending on your skin characteristics and the depth of the peel. Moderate-depth
peels, light dermabrasion and laser require five to 10 days to heal, and deep
peels, dermabrasion, and deeper laser resurfacing take about seven to 14 days to heal.
What should I know about preparing for and recovering from the treatment?
Before your skin treatment, you will need to prepare your
skin with a daily application of Retin-A, a bleaching agent, and sunscreens to
even out the quality of your skin and suppress the pigment producing cells.
After the treatment and healing, your skin will be red for some
time, depending on the depth of treatment. The light redness can be easily
covered with makeup.
Once healing is complete, use of Retin-A, hydroquinone, and
sunscreen is advised to prevent irregular pigmentation from redeveloping. After
your skin has completely healed, it will appear more youthful with improved
tone, texture, and pigment. Wrinkles might be improved or eliminated.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 8/4/2009...#5435
