As we age, there are three types of folds in the face that become particularly bothersome for some patients. Facial folds were once thought to be deep wrinkles, but experts understand that folds are ultimately caused by a combination of loss of facial volume and sagging deep structures of the face which are accentuated by skin laxity.
Facial Fold Specialists in Vancouver, BC
The 8 West Clinic team is comprised of skin and face specialists who have extensive experience helping patients achieve their goals. Our in-depth consultations will help uncover the reasons for your facial folds so that an appropriate treatment plan can be devised. We offer the complete spectrum of surgical and non surgical treatments to help you achieve your goals and have performed thousands of treatments over the last 20 years.
3 Types of Facial Folds
- Naso labial folds run from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth. While they are often related to aging and get worse as the years go by, they can occur in very young patients because of their facial anatomy. A proper evaluation of the cause of your naso labial folds is essential before a treatment plan is devised. Often times, the cause of the naso labial fold is due to a loss of cheek volume, which causes the cheek area to slide down, in the process enhancing the fold.
- Marionette lines run from the corner of the mouth to the jawline. They start off as the appearance of a slight shadow in our late 30s or early 40s, and progress to become a full blown fold.
- Jowls are sagging pouches on the jawline along each side of the mouth. Jowls appear as a subtle softening of the jawline in our late 30s or early 40s and progress to become noticeable areas of sagging and laxity. Many people make the mistake of assuming that jowls are fat. Jowls are actually caused by sagging deep facial structures which get hung up and suspended on the mandible ligament which attaches to the jawline where jowls form. Patients who desire a tightened jawline and significantly improved jowls will opt for a lower facelift, while patients wishing to avoid surgery will consider camouflaging jowls with dermal fillers or stimulating collagen growth with skin tightening. Liposuction is not recommended for jowls.
What Causes Facial Folds
Folds are caused by several age related changes to the face and are often best treated with a combination approach. The first factor that affects folds is facial anatomy. Cheek and jaw structure plays a large role in determining if the patient will have shadowy areas around the mouth and jawline. Next comes the influence of facial volume loss. We all begin to lose volume in our faces around the age of 37. Loss of cheek volume causes the cheek area to slide down, which accentuates folds down below. Then comes sagging structures - the affect of gravity pulling the muscles, tissues and tendons of our faces in a downward direction, causing folds and a lax jawline. Advances in both surgical and non surgical medical treatments mean that patients have more options than ever before when it comes to treating facial folds.
Treating Facial Folds
Proper diagnosis of the cause of your folds and an assessment of your facial anatomy are key to developing an effective treatment plan for you facial folds. There are many options to consider including: dermal fillers, facelift surgery, facial implants and skin tightening.
A Comprehensive Approach, Devised by Our Team of Face Specialists
There is no doubt about it - we specialize in anti aging and have the team to prove it. We are proud to have a very experienced facial plastic surgeon, medical laser skin aesthetician, nurse injector, registered holistic nutritionist and make up artist on our team. We provide consulting and anti aging treatment planning, always taking into consideration your tolerance for downtime and budget requirements.
Contact us Now and Find Out About Your Skin Folds Treatment Options
Setup a comprehensive skin consultation today. We are a team of face and skin specialists and are known for our medical treatments that work. We always take into consideration your objectives, tolerance for downtime and budget. Contact us today or call (604) 733-1669. We look forward to helping you get one step closer to loving your skin.