Chronological aging is linked with increased biological ageing. The skin’s aging is affected by genetics, blood pressure, serum albumim, lung function, etc. Lower self esteem and persons with poor social relations also seem to age faster than those who have high self esteem and are socially active. 

 

Photo-aging is caused from sun exposure, environmental forces, smoking and consumption of alcohol.    Person’s with Fitzpatrick skin types of I and II (very fair complexions) will photo-age much quicker than persons with higher skin type ratings(Darker skin types). 

 

 

UVB are the burning rays. These rays are responsible for sunburns, tanning and skin cancers caused from sun exposure and occur in the dermis of our skin.   UVB photons are less penetrating rays and 90% of them are absorbed by the ozone layer in our atmosphere. 

 

UVA rays penetrate deeper and are responsible for damage in the deep dermis or deeper layers of our skin. UVA rays play a bigger role in the development of deeper wrinkles and leather like skin texture. These rays pass through our ozone layer 100%, fully penetrate clouds and are not stopped by window glass. Even though you do not burn with these rays, the damage to your skin is still horrific.

 

Smoking worsens sun-damaged skin. Persons that smoke will have deeper wrinkles and an increased incidence in skin cancer. Smoking narrows the blood vessels throughout the body including those that feed and remove toxins from your skin. 

 

Alcohol destroys Vitamin A thereby inhibiting the skin’s ability to heal.    Alcohol also dehydrates the tissues in the body causing the skin to loose precious moisture. Alcohol consumption has also been shown to increase the appearance of ruddiness and can cause blood vessels to enlarge and grow. 

 

Our skin is not the only tissue in our bodies that age. Rather it is the combined effect of several structures within the body that causes facial aging.   What we see on the outside, our skin, is affected by chronological changes and by photo-aging. But what about the deeper structures? We also will experience facial adipose aging – loss of fat. The fat pads in our face will atrophy and shrink with the aging process. Our fascia and muscles will also breakdown and sag. Repetitive movement will contribute to lines and furrows on the forehead, glabella and crow’s feet areas of our face. Gravity will cause ptosis or drooping of the eyelids and face in general. Facial bone over time will be reabsorbed and will retract thereby causing repositioning of the fat and muscle within our lower faces. As the bone in the cheek area retracts the nasal labial folds will increase. Repairing these effects will require adding, subtracting, lifting and pulling. 

Prevention is the best thing we can do to help slow down the effects of aging.   Prevention is the key to slowing down the aging process. 

 

Skin Care                                           IPL or                      Fractionated

 Products              Chemical Peels      Photo-rejuv.              Resurfacing              CO2 Resurf.

(Several Months)               (4-6 Peels)           (3-6 Txs)                    (4-6 Txs)              (1 Treatment)

 

As we age, our faces will experience lipoatrophy or fat loss.   This occurs most noticeably in the cheek regions of the face.   Sculptra and the resurfacing type lasers will help plump up this region giving the face fullness and a less “skeletal appearance.”  Results and total number of treatments needed will vary depending upon which product or laser is used.

 

To help with the wrinkles caused by overuse and muscles, BOTOX is the best and most tolerable choice. Most patients that receive BOTOX treatments are very satisfied with their results.   Patients will need to repeat the treatment when the effect wears off. Initially, patients may need to come every 2 to 4 months. Patients that continue treatment over a period of time may find that their treatments may last six months or longer.

 

The nasal labial folds increase with depth because of fat and bone loss in the cheek region. Dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane can be used to fill in these folds giving the patient a more natural youthful appearance. Depending upon which filler is used; patients can expect the results to last 5 – 9 months.

 

To mask the look of lipo-atrophy or fat loss and bone loss in the cheeks, Sculptra a product made from Poly-L-Lactic acid is used to stimulate collagen formation and will add volume to the cheek areas. Most patients will require between three to six treatments with Sculptra to obtain the maximum effect.