What you need to know about ageing.

Facial ageing is inevitable. Today, non-surgical options are leading the way and can help smooth out lines, restore volume to the face, reduce the appearance of ageing and help rectify the damage we may have caused to our skin over time.

15 is the golden number, where our face starts to move away from picture-perfect skin. We start noticing more oil production, dehydrated skin, increased pore size and the rate that our skin repairs itself begins to slow down.

In our mid 20s we start to lose skin volume (proteins and elastin fibres). Fine lines start to appear as well as light blemishes and sun spots. Skin texture can also be affected, particularly if acne is a problem.

As more skin volume breaks down in our 30s, we will begin to notice fine lines appearing. The first signs of broken veins also start to show and the delicate skin under the eyes becomes thinner and puffier. It’s around now you can start to expect a drier complexion and as cell turnover is reduced, a rougher texture to the skin.

In our 40s we start to lose the “triangle of youth” and will notice the jawline widening as the face sags. Our cheeks will start deflating and narrowing due to a loss of skin volume. Deeper lines around the mouth and eyes and furrows in the forehead are also seen. This triangle of youth starts becoming the dreaded “pyramid of age”.

In our 50s and onwards, lines and wrinkles start turning into deep folds. Elasticity and plumpness become a thing of the past. Sagginess and droopiness become more apparent as the “pyramid of age” is really kicking in. Hyper-pigmentation is also a very common problem as skin tone becomes more uneven.

It is important to remember that sun exposure has a huge impact on the ageing process. Once the sun damages our skin, it cannot rebuild itself. Smoking also accelerates the ageing process by breaking down skin volume at a much faster rate.

My top advice: prevention is better than cure.

This article was written by Dr Joseph Ajaka – cosmetic surgeon in Sydney.

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If you decide you want to proceed with a non-surgical treatment to ageing, here are some great tips when preparing for your consultation:

1. Ask your Doctor about what brand they use and why. The risks and benefits can vary from brand to brand.

2. Has the anti-wrinkle treatment been extensively tested and researched?

3. Does the treatment have proven clinical results?

4. How quickly will I see the results of the treatment? And, how long will it last?

5. Discuss your expectations.

6. Understand and discuss the possible side effects of each brand.

And finally, ensure that your Doctor is using a product with a history of results, and can meet your needs.