FAQs

Facial aging and collagen loss

• What are the visible effects of facial aging?
  The visible effects of facial aging are the progressive changes you see when you look in the mirror — including loss of skin elasticity, sagging, forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s-feet, smile lines, lip lines, marionette lines (the lines framing your mouth), as well as changes to the color and texture of the skin and loss of volume.

• When does facial aging begin?
  Facial aging usually begins in your 20s when the firmness of your skin begins to decrease. Wrinkles, blemishes, and sunspots may also start to appear, becoming more pronounced with age. Of course, changes vary from person to person.

• What factors contribute to facial aging?
  Facial aging is caused by both internal and external factors. Internal (or chronological) factors happen over time and are caused by genetics and the natural aging process. External (or environmental) factors are things in the world around you, including sun exposure, smoking, pollution, gravity, facial expressions, and sleep position. All of these factors can contribute to changes in the skin, as well as changes in facial bones.

• What is the role of collagen loss in facial aging?
  Collagen is a fibrous protein in the dermis that gives structure to the skin and provides the foundation for the retention of elastin and hyaluronic acid. Elastin is an elastic protein that helps maintain shape, while hyaluronic acid cushions and lubricates to keep the skin moist. More collagen enables the presence of more elastin and hyaluronic acid.

  With age and environmental damage, collagen is lost, and as time goes on, the body's natural production decreases. The damage to the underlying structure of the skin reduces the skin's ability to maintain elasticity and retain moisture.

  

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