All types of facial changes take place as we age. Along with lines and wrinkles, loss of volume occurs as part of the aging process. Cheeks become gaunt, lips become thinner and everything starts sagging. Renowned Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Ary Krau explains why aging causes your face to lose volume and how to restore fullness.
Facial Volume Loss
Over time, once evenly distributed facial fat shifts. Areas that used to have plenty of fat, such as the cheeks, no longer do. Areas that didn’t have much fat, such as the jawline, now have too much.
Collagen is the body’s most abundant protein. It keeps skin plump and firm. Collagen production decreases with age, leading to loss of elasticity and firmness.
Medical Issues
Certain medical issues contribute to facial volume loss. Conditions affecting the immune system, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can result in loss of facial fat.
After women go through menopause, their estrogen levels plummet. Lack of this female hormone can lead to loss of facial volume.
Lifestyle Issues
Lifestyle choices can exacerbate the loss of facial volume, making people look old before their time. Avoid premature facial volume loss by not smoking or spending too much time in the sun.
Exercise is critical, but too much exercise can lead to burning excessive calories. That, in turn, can affect the abundance of fat in the face. Develop healthy exercise and eating habits to keep skin in top shape.
Restoring Volume
What can you do about restoring facial volume? Such restoration involves plumping up the diminished areas. That’s where dermal fillers come in. The injectable fillers bring back the volume lost to time.
Juvederm contains hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance found in the body. It’s HA that helps keep skin firm — and lubricates joints. As with collagen, HA production declines with age.
HA fillers plump up lines and wrinkles, but injections in the cheek area provide volume for lifting and contouring. Not only does the appearance become more youthful, but patients can opt for higher cheekbones, a sign of classic beauty. Juvederm Voluma is designed specifically for volume restoration in the cheeks and cheekbones, jawline, chin and temples.
Dermal fillers containing collagen are also available, but the effects do not last as long as HA fillers. With HA fillers, patients may not need touchups for nine months to one year.
Contact Dr. Krau
To learn more about your choices for restoring facial volume and alleviating lines and wrinkles, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Krau. Contact his Miami office by calling (305) 861-6881 or emailing us today.