While gaining life experience has its pluses, the rest of aging stinks. It’s been said, “Time conquers all.” This is certainly true of our skin, particularly on our face.

Much of Dr. Smith’s practice is devoted to procedures that try to stem the march of time, at least for a little while. The face and its thin skin and heavy sun exposure account for much of that attention. Facelifts, eyelid surgery, brow lifts, cheek, and chin enhancement — it’s all intended to combat facial aging.

Our patients at Smith Plastic Surgery often wonder when they will know if it is time to have a procedure such as a facelift or a brow lift performed. That all depends on the individual, but there are some typical signs of aging that prompt person to want to put the brakes on the march of time, at least temporarily.

1. Skin laxity — Unlike that co-worker you have to continually cover for, gravity never takes a day off. As you age, your facial skin is particularly susceptible to its forces. Part of this is because the facial skin is among the thinnest on the entire body. Also, facial muscles tend to weaken with age. The result is issues such as drooping brows, jowls, sagging cheeks, descending eyelids, and much more.
2. Volume loss — After you turn 20, collagen (the basic support system for your skin) production decreases one percent each year. Add that up — by 50 you have a 30% lower rate of collagen production than a 20-year-old. No wonder your skin is looser. Elastin, the protein responsible for keeping your skin supple and malleable, the production also decreases. The result is volume loss in areas across the face. The areas under the eyes and below the cheekbones both become hollow with volume loss.
3. Changes in skin tone and texture — Where the skin was taut, plump, and smooth, as we age it becomes dull, dry, and leathery. This is usually the result of reduced collagen production combined with sun exposure, especially for those of us living in sunny South Carolina. Unless you’re a bat, you’ve had your share of sun damage. The skin also becomes thinner with time, again due to decreasing collagen, making it more prone to wrinkling.

What to do

To fight back, you have both surgical and non-surgical options. Volume loss and changes in skin tone and texture can all be addressed non-surgically. Injectables (Botox and dermal fillers), chemical peels, and laser resurfacing treatments all work to improve these areas. Skin laxity, especially if more extreme, can best be addressed with surgery, Dr. Smith’s specialty: a facelift, brow lift, or eyelid surgery. This is especially true where the skin has lost some elasticity.

Think beyond the face
Many people think of their face, but forget their neck and chest. Dr. Smith also offers solutions that can address aging on the neck, chest, décolleté, and hands.

Gravity and time — don’t let them get the best of you. Call Dr. Smith, 843-705-8940, and let’s see how we can turn back the clock just a bit.