Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Tuesday – Friday
By Appointment only.
Skin aging is a multifaceted process influenced by intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. Intrinsic aging affects the entire body, including sun-protected sites, and occurs at a genetically determined pace. Extrinsic aging, or photoaging, is induced by chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, smoking, and other pollutants, and it superimposes on the intrinsic aging process.
Intrinsic Aging: Defined by clinical, histological, and physiological changes in sun-protected skin areas of older individuals. Begins around 50-60 years of age, earlier in women due to decreased estrogen levels during menopause.
Ultraviolet Radiation: Causes DNA alterations in each cell daily, resulting in the deposition of a disorganized, elastic-fiber rich matrix (solar elastosis).
Menopause: Women develop signs earlier than men due to the loss of protective effects of estrogen.
Smoking: Nicotine narrows blood vessels, reducing oxygen and nutrient supply. Increases dermal MMPs, degrading collagen and elastin. Heat from cigarettes and repeated facial muscle movements contribute to wrinkles, particularly around the lip areas. Chemicals such as nitrosamines and tar are cancer-causing.
Nutrition: Antioxidative compounds in fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, and teas. Higher vitamin C and linoleic acid intake are associated with decreased wrinkling, dryness, and atrophy. Fish oil consumption provides some sun protection.
Immune Dysfunction: Can be a symptom of immune deficiency diseases, immunosuppressive agents, and chronic psychological stress.
Other Factors: Fitzpatrick skin types influence susceptibility to photoaging, with fair-skinned individuals (Fitzpatrick I and II) more prone to damage. Ethnicity affects the degree of photoaging, with individuals of Northern European descent being more vulnerable.
Aging skin undergoes several changes, including:
Texture Changes: Roughness, sallowness, deep wrinkling, dyspigmentation, broken vessels, and the development of various benign and cancerous skin lesions.
Sensitivity: Aging skin may become more sensitive, and menopause may lead to flushing and blushing. Rosacea is also more prevalent in aging skin.
Hyperpigmentation: More pronounced, related to hormones and sun damage.
Dryness: More common with age, especially during winter. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, saccharide isomerate, niacinamide, and thicker textured creams can help.
Loss of Collagen, Fat, and Elastin: Leads to loose, saggy skin.
Volume Loss: In key areas of the face like temples, eyes, midface, lips, and jawline, contributing to further sagging.
Treatment of aging skin requires a multifaceted approach involving skin care, lasers, peels, injections, collagen induction devices, and surgery. Firstly, addressing skin quality is crucial, including managing sun damage, pre-cancer spots, wrinkles, pigmentation, and broken vessels. Skin laxity can be treated on the same day with skin tightening devices like HIFU or micro-focused ultrasound, using devices such as Ultraformer MPT. Volume replacement is important to address the supporting ligaments’ weakening and volume loss.
In-clinic treatments address the three clinical features of aging: skin texture, loss of collagen leading to loose skin and volume loss, and neck bands with the following treatments:
Preventative strategies that you can take include the following:
Skin is a beautiful thing, wear it well.
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