What happened to my face??

Ahhh, it happened to you too, I see.

You’re cruising through life, feeling good, then BAM—you hit 35, and suddenly the mirror’s got jokes. It’s not you; it’s just how time does its thing. Well, you are in good company. Let’s break it down, and talk about facial changes you might notice after 35—and yes, we’ll drop some gems on how to get rid of smile lines while we’re at it.

Facial changes after 35 are natural. and are often due to a combination of aging processes, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Here’s why you might notice differences:

Loss of Collagen and Elastin

Collagen provides structure to the skin, and elastin maintains its flexibility. Production slows after 30, leading to thinner, less elastic skin. This is worsened by smoking and certain medications and excessive sun exposure whether through tanning beds or intentionally exposing your body to the sun to reach a certain color.

Fat Redistribution

Fat in the face tends to decrease or shift, especially in the cheeks and under the eyes, resulting in hollowness or sagging.

Bone Structure Changes

The bones in your face gradually lose density, particularly in cheeks and temples, altering your facial contours.

Decreased Skin Hydration

Skin retains less moisture with age, making it appear drier and less plump.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Expression lines deepen due to repeated muscle use and thinning skin. Remember when your mom said if you keep on making that face it will stay that way….She wasn’t lying.

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Sun exposure: UV rays break down collagen.
Stress: Can lead to muscle tension and skin dullness.
Diet and hydration: Poor nutrition and dehydration impact skin health.
Smoking and alcohol: Contribute to premature aging.

Lifestyle and environment can be altered. Aging, unfortunately, is a process that cannot be stopped. However, changes can be made to smooth the process of aging. As per Mauricio de Maio (2014) the sooner you start, the less invasive the treatment will be. As with many facets of health, prevention is key.

You’ve spent YEARS laughing at your cousin, Junior’s wild stories. Now, those smile lines—a.k.a. nasolabial folds—are starting to stick around, even when your face is relaxed. They’re a badge of good times, sure, but who said you can’t smooth them out a bit?

So, what Can I do?

I should be yelling this from the rooftops. Treatments such as wrinkle release therapy and filler have their place, however we CAN do things outside of injectables and lasers to maintain the benefits of those treatments. Repeat after me: skincare, Skincare, SKINCARE! Start with a solid skincare routine featuring HIGH quality products. TARGET is lower case good (no shade) but the Dermstore is better.

Procedures:

If you’re looking for more of instant glow-up, talk to a professional, like Dr. Laurel B., owner of Mrs. Webb Aesthetic for dermal fillers, microneedlng, chemical peels and of course, (bo)tox. Tox is clutch for keeping the muscles relaxed so the lines don’t deepen. That’s how to get rid of smile lines while still keeping your character intact. In general, saggy skin is treated with surgery, peels, or fractionated lasers, dynamic wrinkles with tox, and volume loss with fillers.

Lifestyle:

Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, protect your skin with sunscreen, and avoid smoking.

If you’re considering aesthetic treatments, a FREE virtual consultation with a professional like Dr. Laurel B. of Mrs. Webb Aesthetic can help tailor options to your specific concerns.

Xoxo

Mrs. Webb