What happens when skin ages:
Skin largely consists of collagen fibers, woven with elastin fibers with the space in between filled with hyaluronic acid. When it ages, skin loses collagen. Without collagen (or when collagen is reduced) skin becomes thinner. Also, loss of collagen leads to the reduction of elastin, which causes loss of skin elasticity, and to the reduction of hyaluronic acid, which causes skin to lose moisture. In addition, facial fat moves and as a result the facial structure changes.

Due to a combination of factors, skin texture and color also change. At first, the skin becomes rougher and drier, and blemishes and discolorations appear. Later, raised spots of pigmentation may appear along with continued discoloration. Discoloration includes variable spots – red, white, or pigmented; veins may become visible.

The face also thins due to a fat loss, as well as the movement of fat to other areas of the face. Skin appears looser and sags. The diminished elasticity of the skin reduces its ability to retain its shape and it does not conform as closely to the contours of the face. Gravity then pulls on both the skin and the underlying fat, and they move down the face. This results in sagging eyelids, bags under the eyes and jaws.

When the skin ages, the following may appear:

• Wrinkles and folds
• Fine lines
• Dry skin
• Rough skin
• Blemishes and pigmentation
• Freckles

What causes the skin to age faster:

• smoking
• genetic predisposition
• emotional stress
• disease processes
• dramatic changes in weight
• exposure to extreme climates e.g. chronic sun exposure, cold temperature or wind exposure

Treatment of skin aging:
…does not involve just pulling or tightening of the skin and/or removing supposedly excessive skin by a surgeon. A variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures are available to reverse or slow down the aging process.

Our practice offers the following non-surgical treatments:

• Skin cream system
• Mesotherapie
• Endermologie
• Botox
• Facial fillers
• Photorejuvination is provided by our affiliate Advanced Laser Center: http://www.mylasercenters.com