Face Last Updated: November 10, 2010

The Science of Aging

As we age, our bodies experience small changes that accumulate over time. While each of us experience similar, age-related changes over our lifetime, the rate of change is different from person to person. Research has uncovered reasons for age related changes and the genetic and environmental factors that influence them. While the aging process can’t be stopped or reversed, scientific discoveries have helped cosmetic plastic surgeons develop prevention and treatment strategies for helping people look and feel their best at all stages of life.

Changes in Attitudes Towards Aging

In the past, it was generally accepted that aging was a part of life and the physical changes were accepted as a cost of growing older. In the past decade, we have seen a major increase in anti-aging cosmetic surgery among both men and women. Part of this increase is attributable to a shift in attitudes toward cosmetic surgery. There was a time when plastic surgery was only for the rich and famous, and was associated with a certain degree of disapproval. Today, more and more people believe that there is no good reason to look older than they feel, and plastic surgery is more widely accepted and quite common. With today’s emphasis on health, fitness and longevity, people are living longer and want to look as good as they feel, and see cosmetic surgery as an attractive option. Although many factors, such as genetics and sun exposure accelerate the aging process, the face tends to age with a pattern, with each decade associated with certain changes. If your signs of aging is a concern for you, Facial Plastic Surgeon,  Dr. Buonassisi will evaluate the changes in your face and discuss different rejuvenating options for you.

Why We Age

The aging process depends on a combination of both genetic (intrinsic) and environmental (extrinsic) factors, which helps to explain why some of us show the signs of aging in our faces more quickly than others. Overall, research shows that genetic factors are more powerful than environmental factors. While there is nothing much we can do about our genetics (not yet anyway), there are lifestyle habits that are proven to accelerate the aging process. This research has enabled us to educate our patients about strategies for both preventing and dealing with aging.

Intrinsic Aging

Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous and unavoidable process that begins in our early twenties. In our skin, we see decreased collagen and elastin production, which results in fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Genetics

We age like our parents. The way our faces and bodies change over time is largely determined in our genes. If you are wondering what we will look like in thirty years, take a good look at your mother or father. If you mother has pronounced jowls and a loose neck skin, it is likely that you will too.  That’s not to say that some simple lifestyle changes can’t help you age better than your parents have. We are blessed with more knowledge about the aging process than our parents were, and are now armed with the information to make good changes, like wearing sunscreen, avoiding significant weight fluctuations, and not smoking. Although lifestyle choices certainly play a part in the aging process, much of it as been determined in our genes.

Extrinsic Aging

These are the kinds of aging we have some control over, both in the form of prevention and treatment. People who are motivated to look as young as they can for their age should consider their lifestyle choices.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure ages the skin and is responsible for most of the skin damage associated with aging. This damage accumulates slowly over time and starts at an early age. Much of the skin damage is merely cosmetic, resulting in brown spots, wrinkles and sagging skin, but some effects, such as skin cancer, are dangerous. Find out more about changes to the skin as a result of sun damage in our Knowledge Base. The good news is that sun damage is avoidable, and we can protect ourselves from unnecessary aging by wearing sunscreen, using a daily skin care routine that includes antioxidants, and covering up.

Smoking

Whether you smoke, or you spend time with a smoker, you are exposing your skin to unnecessary damage. Research has shown that exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles and dryness. Smoking causes a range of premature aging processes, including wrinkles and sagging skin. Smoking is not only responsible for aging the face, it causes wrinkling on the inside of the arms and other areas. Skin wrinkles and folds can be treated with BOTOX® and fillers , which help to mask the appearance of damaged skin. Sagging skin can be treated with facial rejuvenation surgery such as a facelift , but only if you quit smoking first, as smoking deprives the skin of oxygen. In this impaired state, it does not heal as quickly as healthy skin, making it unsafe for you to have facelift surgery. Please quit smoking for at least a month before considering a facelift.

Facial Expressions

Regular facial movements lead to fine lines and wrinkles. With each facial movement, grooves form beneath the surface of the skin causing lines. Over time, as we lose skin elasticity, these grooves become permanent on the face in the form of fine lines and wrinkles. These are known as dynamic wrinkles, and they become more pronounced over time. Does this mean we should avoid smiling, frowning and showing emotion on our faces? Of course not. The good news is that dynamic wrinkles can be prevented in some parts of the face with regular BOTOX® treatments. Areas that are safely and effectively treated with BOTOX® as an anti-wrinkle strategy include the vertical parallel lines between the eyebrows (known as the 11’s), crow’s feet around the eyes, and forehead wrinkles. People who consider BOTOX® as an anti-aging strategy typically begin in their mid to late twenties, and combine regular treatments with a daily Skin Care regime that includes sunscreen and antioxidants.

What Kind of Changes Can We Expect?

While we all age at different rates, all of us typically exhibit a pattern of aging as we progress through our lifespan.

Protect, Correct or Reverse: Find Out How

If you are experiencing the signs of aging in your face and are frustrated by these changes, you have a range of options to consider including facial rejuvenation surgery, non-surgical BOTOX® and filler treatments and skin care. The appropriate treatment plan for you depends on a wide range of factors including your physical characteristics, objectives, budget and tolerance for medical treatments. Schedule a facial rejuvenation consult with Dr. Buonassisi and he will evaluate your skin and face, and suggest options for helping you achieve your goals. If you would like to learn more about what to expect during a surgical consult, please go here.