By Posted on behalf of John J.W. Lee, MD, FACS
It’s been said, “Time conquers all.” This is certainly true whether you live in King of Prussia or you are the King of Prussia. And it is particularly true on our face. Sure, we may be gaining some life experience, but do our faces have to show all that accumulated knowledge?
Much of Dr. Lee’s practice is devoted to countering that march of time as it relates to the upper face. As an expert with eyelid surgery and brow lifts, he works to help our patients combat facial aging. Our patients often wonder when they will know if it is time to have a procedure such as eyelid surgery performed. That all depends on the individual, but there are some typical signs of aging that prompt people to want to put the brakes on the march of time, at least temporarily.
- Skin laxity — Unlike that co-worker you’re always having to cover for (at least in the days we all went to an office!), gravity never takes a day off. As you age, your facial skin is particularly susceptible to its forces. Part of this is due to the fact that the facial skin around our eyes and on our eyelids is among the thinnest on the entire body. Also, facial muscles tend to weaken with age. The result are issues such as descending brows, drooping eyelids, and many of the more noticeable signs of aging.
- Volume loss — After you turn 20, collagen (the basic support system for your skin) production decreases one percent each year. That’s a cumulative loss! Add that up — by 50 you have a 30% lower rate of collagen production than a 20-year-old. No wonder your skin is looser and more susceptible to developing lines and creases. Elastin, the protein responsible for keeping your skin supple and malleable, production also decreases. The result is volume loss in areas across the face. The areas under the eyes and below the cheekbones both become hollow with volume loss.
- Changes in skin tone and texture — Where the skin was taut, plump, and smooth, as we age it becomes dull, dry, and leathery. This is usually the result of reduced collagen production combined with sun exposure. Unless you’re a vampire, you’ve had your share of sun damage. The skin also becomes thinner with time, again due to decreasing collagen, making it more prone to wrinkling.
Treatment options
To fight back, you have both surgical and non-surgical options with Dr. Lee. Volume loss and changes in skin tone and texture can all be addressed non-surgically. Injectables (Botox/Dysport and various dermal fillers), chemical peels, and IPL treatments all work to improve these areas. Skin laxity, especially if more extreme, can best be addressed with surgery. for Dr. Lee this is eyelid and brow lift surgery. This is especially true where the skin has lost some elasticity.
While gravity isn’t going anywhere, neither is Dr. Lee. Why not give us a call at Bryn Mawr Facial Aesthetics Center, [flc-phone], and let’s talk about how we can address the signs of aging that are bothering you.
