What is the ageing process that goes on in my face?
Ever wondered why your face changes shape as much as your skin? It's not just wrinkles — bone, fat pads, muscle and skin all shift with age, each in their own way. Understanding these four layers is the first step to a treatment plan that actually makes sense for your face.
Most of us notice it gradually — a little more hollowness under the eyes, a softening of the jawline, lines that seem to have appeared overnight. Facial ageing is a natural process, but understanding what's actually happening beneath the surface can help you make more informed decisions about your skin, your lifestyle, and any treatments you might consider. It's less about fighting age, and more about understanding it.
Layer one: the bony structure
When we think about how the face changes, it's really helpful to consider each of the layers in turn. First up: the bony skeleton. Our skull changes shape and evolves as we grow, with bony resorption reducing the structural framework upon which we hang our face. This means the jawline and eye socket area can change significantly without any weight loss.
Layer two: the fat pads
Then we have a series of both deep and superficial fat pads, which help provide plumpness and contour to our face. These do vary slightly, but on the whole they tend to deflate and head south as we age, making us look gaunt or tired. The main exception to this is the jowl fat which, rather perversely, increases in volume — adding weight to the lower face and jawline as we get older.
Layer three: the muscle and movement
Years of smiling, frowning, and squinting create permanent creases in the skin, and as this becomes thinner with reduced elasticity it loses its ability to bounce back, contributing to expression lines over time.
Layer four: the skin
The skin not only thins, with reduced collagen and elastin production, but it often becomes drier and slower to repair. The reduced cell turnover means it can appear slightly dull and lacklustre, and the cumulative result of chronic UV exposure manifests itself as uneven tone with areas of pigmentation, and sometimes redness and thread veins.
Key contributing factors are sun damage, smoking, and cortisol released due to chronic stress. So do everything you can to limit these!
Where we come in
Whilst these changes might all sound very depressing, there are plenty of things we can do to help! We always aim to consider each of these four layers in turn, and then personalise a plan which often involves combinations of treatments for a holistic approach to a refreshed look.
If you don't know where to start, then why not book in for a Rejuvenation Consultation, and we can help you to understand your own facial ageing picture, step-by-step.