Most people eventually experience the visual signs of aging in the face and neck. It is an issue that is inevitable and presents itself in a myriad of ways. With time, the support structures in the skin weaken, leading to loss of elasticity. The fatty tissues under the skin also become depleted, and partially migrate toward the bottom of the face, due to the constant pull of gravity. Facial muscles also contribute to the appearance of an aging face and neck, in the form of wrinkles, changes in facial contour, and development of vertical neck bands.

Over the years, California Skin Institute providers have helped tens of thousands of patients address the signs of an aging face and neck, by custom-tailoring procedures to the unique needs of each patient. To gain a better understanding of the best treatment options in your situation, please schedule a consultation by calling a California Skin Institute practice near you.

Aging Face: Wrinkles

One of the most common age-related occurrences is the development of wrinkles on the face. These typically develop for two reasons; loss of skin elasticity and regular use of certain facial muscles.

When considering skin elasticity and the changes that occur with time, it’s important to understand the vital support structure of protein fibers within the skin. For example, collagen and elastin are vital fibers that help maintain the structure and are responsible for the skin’s ability to snap back into place.

During your younger years, the skin is rich in these fibers, making the skin resilient and allowing it to easily withstand the pull of gravity. With time, however, the amount of collagen and elastin becomes depleted, causing the development of wrinkles and sagging skin.

Another contributing factor to wrinkles is the repetitive movement of certain facial muscles. For example, the development of frown lines and crow’s feet can be largely attributed to repeated facial expressions over the years. When combined with the loss of skin elasticity, these wrinkles become even more prominent.

Aging Face: Loss of Facial Volume and Contour

Many California Skin Institute patients point out the shape of their face seems to have changed over the years. This is a very common concern, and visual signs of an aging face can manifest in small – but very noticeable – changes in facial structure and contour.

One reason for this occurrence is the depletion of fatty tissues and partial migration of fat deposits downward, due to gravity. Commonly, this becomes visible in the cheeks, which appear more hollow and provide less contour.

Jowls is another result of the face aging process, developing due to the gradual migration of fatty tissues and the loss of skin elasticity around the jaw.

Aging Neck

The most common signs of an aging neck are the development of vertical muscle bands, sagging skin, and excess fat deposits.

Muscle bands occur due to the regular use of the platysma muscle, with the vertical lines representing the muscle edges.

Excess fat is also a common issue and can be considered age-related because in many cases the development of these fat deposits is the result of hormonal changes in the body.

Brown Spots

Another very common sign of an aging face and neck is the development of brown spots on the skin. These can be caused by sun damage, genetic factors, and health issues like obesity and diabetes.

Treating the Aging Face and Neck

Over the years, California Skin Institute providers have helped tens of thousands of patients treat the signs of aging on the face and neck. Because every patient’s situation is unique, our providers go to great lengths to custom-tailor every patient’s treatment plan to their special needs. Commonly, treatments fall into several general categories:

• Injectables: California Skin Institute providers are experts when it comes to using injectables like neuromodulators (Botox / Dysport) and dermal fillers (Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, among many others). Neuromodulators can be very effective for reducing wrinkles caused by muscle movements, like frown lines and crow’s feet. Dermal fillers are designed to reduce wrinkles by adding volume under the skin, and can be used on virtually any part of the face. Fillers like Juvederm, for example, can even be used to bring more contour to the face by adding volume to the cheeks.

• Face Lift: A surgical facelift can be a powerful option for patients who have deep wrinkles and dramatic signs of aging in the face. During a facelift, your California Skin Institute provider won’t just tighten facial skin, but will also tighten the facial muscles, to produce a natural appearance.

• Neck Lift: A neck lift is designed to address several aesthetic problems of the aging neck. Firstly, a neck lift can be used to remove excess skin, to create a tightening effect. Secondly, the appearance of vertical muscle bands is reduced by bringing the muscle edges toward each other, and suturing them together. After a full recovery, the aesthetic effect can be dramatic.

• Neck Liposuction: This procedure can be performed either on a standalone basis or as part of a neck lift. During neck liposuction, the excess fat is physically removed from the area with the use of a cannula and tumescent fluid. If vertical muscle bands are not an issue and if the skin is sufficiently elastic, a neck lift may not be needed during this procedure.

• Double Chin Injections: Recently, California Skin Institute became one of the first dermatology practices in the country to offer Kybella injections for double chin treatments. Kybella is the first FDA-approved injectable for removing a double chin, and our founding physician, Dr. Morganroth, was even recruited to be a national trainer to other doctors in using this treatment. Kybella relies on deoxycholic acid to damage fat cells, which are then removed by the lymphatic system.

• Laser Skin Treatments: California Skin Institute providers are experts at administering laser skin treatment for various signs of aging in the face and neck. Lasers and other devices can be used to reduce wrinkles, reduce dark spots, treat acne scars, and even address spider veins.

• Aesthetic Procedures: For patients who would like to slow the aging of the face and neck, our highly trained providers can administer numerous anti-aging treatments, including chemical peels, nourishing face masks, skin needling, microdermabrasion, and much more.

Individualized Care

The best way to treat the signs of aging in the face and neck is through a custom-tailored, individualized treatment plan. To learn more about the best treatment options in your situation, please contact a California Skin Institute practice near you, or schedule your appointment online!

Disclaimer

This is to be only used as an educational piece and individuals should not use it to self-diagnose a skin condition or problem. Treatment results will vary, talk to a practitioner to see if this treatment or procedure is right for you.

Treatments for Aging Face and Neck

• Clear + Brilliant® Laser
• Excel® V
• Fraxel® Dual
• Fraxel® Repair CO2
• Gemini Laser
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
• N-Lite Laser
• Q-Switched Nd:Yag Laser
• Sidelaze
• Thermage®
• Ultherapy®
• Ultrapulse® CO2 Laser
• Versapulse®