The Aging Face

Changes occur to the skin, tissue, and bones of the face as we age. Part of providing aesthetic care is understanding the aspects of the aging face and what contributes to the loss of youthful features. The aesthetic practitioner can provide the patient with a rejuvenated appearance only after learning the fundamental aspects of aging including bone loss, tissue redistribution, and loss of subcutaneous fat. The use of current nonsurgical aesthetic products and medications such as dermal fillers, lasers, light-based procedures, and neurotoxins is becoming increasingly popular due to their effectiveness in restoring attractive features, as well as diminishing lines and wrinkles. The “zoom effect” has also contributed to aesthetic treatment popularity. The appropriate selection of both patient and treatment options which are based on knowledge of how the facial structures age is vital for patient satisfaction. Additionally, it is critical to manage patient expectations during the aesthetic treatment process and understand that in some cases, patients might require surgical intervention to achieve their desired outcome.