Change is a natural part of life. And when it comes to your skin, change is inevitable, no matter what celebs who have constant procedures might lead you to believe. While acceptance is ideal when it comes to aging, that doesn’t mean you can’t try and slow down the process if your goal is to retain a radiant complexion. But putting the brakes on aging requires first understanding how your skin and face are likely to change as the years go by.
Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Dray expertly explains the five most noticeable changes many people experience when it comes to their skin and faces. She also provides her best tips on how to slow it all down so that you age gracefully. Remember: just because you’re aging doesn’t mean your skin can’t look its absolute best every stage of the way.
Tip of Your Nose Can Droop
Here’s one facial feature you probably aren’t considering all that much when it comes to aging: your nose. The cartilage in your nose changes as you age and, with this, the tip of your nose can actually droop and make your nose appear wider. Some people even start to experience breathing problems. You may also notice that the skin on and around your nose can suffer from blood vessel breakage, giving it a more red appearance. This can be corrected with pulse dye and vascular laser treatments. There are also lasers that can improve the appearance of large pores on the nose, which can become more evident with age. A drop of filler can also help with nasal droop, according to Dr. Dray.
Changes To The Eyes
With age, the eyes can appear rounder, smaller, and lose their almond shape. This happens as we lose collagen in the skin and the hollows under the eyes become more prominent. But the shape of your eyes aren’t actually changing — it’s the changes to the skin around the eyes (including the forehead and cheeks) that make them look different.
One way to combat this is to get dermal fillers in the tear troughs (these should only be done by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon). Botox can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Wearing sunglasses and applying sunscreen and moisturizer to the eye area can also help. Be careful with retinol around this area of the face: it can be very sensitizing.
Loss of Jawline Definition
The muscles weaken in the neck with age and fat can migrate downward, which can result in the loss of jawline definition. If your neck is also showing signs of sagging, you may be a good candidate for a lower face lift, according to Dr. Dray. In some cases, dermal filler can be used to add the appearance of structure to the jawline, as well.
Brow Shape Changes
Your brow actually can change shape with age and can begin to sag downward at the outer corners, which contributes to the appearance of smaller-looking eyes. One of the best ways to correct this is with Botox, which weakens those muscles that cause sagging for a more uplifted look. In some cases, a surgical brow lift can also help.
Thinning Lips
Lips can start to thin as early as in our thirties as we start to lose collagen and elastin. But, depending on your lifestyle habits (including whether you drink alcohol or smoke), the shape of your lips doesn’t start to change until your forties or fifties. This is also when you may start to see vertical lip lines appear above your lips. Modest dermal fillers can help boost your lip volume, as can a Botox lip flip. Preventative measures always include wearing sunscreen and applying moisturizers with retinol to the skin above your lips.
We can’t stop aging, but these tips and tricks can help slow down the process.
