Facial Skin Laxity Over 50 Years Old
During their 50’s and beyond, many people notice a marked decrease in tone and elasticity in their faces. The “downward descent” accelerates making jowling and sagging neck skin more noticeable. At Center for Aesthetics, our board certified medical provider will fully assess your specific needs and make recommendations during your consultation.
To put this in perspective, think about what happens to bacon as it cooks—it shrinks. Likewise, collagen fibers respond to heat by curling together and shortening—this is the exact opposite of what happens to aging collagen fibers in living tissue. New technology can deliver this energy deep enough into the support structures of the face to achieve non-surgical “lifting”.
Facial volume changes can occur as early as your mid 30’s, although they often begin subtly. Volume changes can also contribute to the appearance of skin laxity. Sometimes patients like this volume change at first, as their faces become more slender and more defined. Decreased facial volume is caused by the disappearance of fat in specific regions of the face as a result of aging. Fat loss in the cheeks can lead to a tired appearance, making the orbital rim and tear trough more visible. Bone resorption, or loss of bone mass, can also be a factor in facial aging. The jawline is most susceptible to these changes, and soft tissue fillers may be required to correct for aging in the jawline and jaw angle.
Topical therapy using prescription-strength clinically-proven products is the best option to manage early aging. At Center for Aesthetics, we only prescribe topicals that have been clinically studied with evidence to support their effectiveness. Topical therapy is the key component to long-term success no matter what else is prescribed and will lead to more impressive and long-lasting results from any procedure.
For patients approaching 40, we often recommend Ultherapy treatments to address skin laxity. Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to visualize the collagen layers of your face before applying microscopic thermal injuries to that tissue. A full treatment of the lower face typically takes about 45 minutes, and collagen fiber contracture will take effect immediately. The astute patient may notice the feeling of skin tightening and subtle lifting immediately following their session. Complete results usually appear gradually over the course of about six months as your body creates new collagen fiber. Ultherapy is an in office treatment that does not require sedation or other oral medications. There is usually no downtime, although bruising can occur. Your Center for Aesthetics board-certified medical provider will make recommendations for future treatments based on your age and starting condition.
Soft tissue fillers are often used to address volume loss in the face. Dermal filler placement is similar to sculpting—there is a true art to assessing where volume is needed, and precise placement is essential for a natural appearance. The Center for Aesthetics is a national leader with 20 years of experience in providing soft tissue fillers, and we continually re-educate our board-certified providers with the latest technology and methodology to ensure you get the best results possible. soft tissue fillers can be used in many locations on the face to achieve youthful balance and proportion. During your consultation at the Center for Aesthetics, we will present you with a customized plan for soft tissue fillers if you are a good candidate.