Aging of the Face

• Geography

  The face undergoes aging-related changes and atrophy biologically at a fairly consistent rate, a rate that is more or less even on all areas of the face. The earliest, and most visible, signs of aging of the face normally appear around and below the eyes and in the middle of the forehead. Forehead lines and lines and wrinkles around the corner of the eyes, more commonly referred to as crow's feet, generally appear on a person's face before the formation of age spots and other forms of age-related skin formations and discolorations, which typically impact thicker-skinned areas of the face that age slower. On light-skinned and fair-complected people, who have less skin pigmentation, or melanin, and therefore less protection against sun-related skin damage, signs of facial aging, especially crow's feet and forehead lines, normally appear much sooner than on darker-skinned individuals, appearing often in their mid-to-late twenties. Darker-complected people tend to develop forehead lines and crow's feet much later in life.

• Function

  Skin aging, on the face and elsewhere on the body, is related to the breakdown of collagen fibers inside each individual skin cell. Collagen provides structural support and elasticity for the skin and gives it a firm, taut appearance. As collagen breaks down, the skin loses elasticity and starts to sag and droop. As the skin ages, collagen breaks down naturally. However, exposure to environmental factors, especially excessive and repeated long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, can speed up the rate at which skin collagen breaks down and increase the rate of skin aging. On the face, the skin is naturally thinner and more delicate around and under the eyes, which partly explains why these areas are some of the first areas on the face to show visible signs of aging. Because these areas contain less collagen and thinner skin depths, any atrophy or aging-related changes appear quickly.

• Considerations

  Although aging is a natural and healthy process, individual genetic makeup as well as lifestyle factors greatly influence how fast or slow the aging process moves. Aging of the face normally coincides with the rate of aging of the rest of the body. A body that has been neglected and/or abused for many years will more than likely exhibit more obvious and extensive signs of aging than will a body that has been more carefully used and cared for. Individuals who eat a healthy and well-balanced diet, get plenty of rest, and avoid stress tend to have younger-looking faces and healthier skin in general. Many times the health and appearance of skin is a direct reflection of the health and condition of the internal body system.

• Prevention/Solution

  Although aging of the face cannot be stopped completely, it can be altered and slowed down. Genetic factors aside, there are many preventative solutions that can be implemented to preserve a more youthful facial appearance. One of the most obvious and effective solutions is to avoid excessive sunlight exposure. Excessive sunlight exposure has a very deleterious and age-inducing effect on facial skin and greatly speeds up the appearance and degree of facial wrinkling, age spots, and fine lines. Cigarette smoke is highly damaging to the skin's collagen fibers and reduces the flow of blood and vital nutrients to the skin, all of which increase the signs of aging on the face. Quitting smoking is a great way to improve the overall appearance and health of facial skin and to slow down the aging-related breakdown of skin and collagen fibers.

References & Resources

• Aging of the Face Facts