As the years go by, the face loses volume and becomes less firm. Dr. Pierre Nicolau, an expert in aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery, talks to us about the causes of facial aging and how to combat it.
Why does the face lose volume?
The main causes are hormonal changes, the decrease in facial fat and its slippage. In addition, at the age of 40 we produce half as much collagen as in adolescence and, once we reach 30, each year that passes our deep facial fat decreases by 1% to 2%.
What procedures work well to rejuvenate the face?
There are many methods. When someone comes to my office I look for the most appropriate treatment according to their age, skin type, the reason for the problem or the expected duration of the result. Depending on these factors it will be convenient to apply one type of product or another and to resort or not to surgery with operating room. Among the most commonly used are injectable facial fillers that correct wrinkles, nasolabial folds and improve sagging problems. Another technique for patients between 30 and 65 years old who still have a good skin tone are the tensor threads.
What does the treatment of the tensor threads consist of?
It is a non-surgical method whose result is immediate. Thus, the threads are introduced deep into the sagging lines of the face and neck, which provides a repositioning of deep fat and skin. The end result: a greater thickness of the skin and a better tone.
What technique do you recommend for people over 65?
A facelift is usually more advisable, as it corrects the loosening of the skin and the decay of the muscles. It also repositions the tissues and attenuates wrinkles. Another advantage is that parts of the face can be treated separately or as a whole. Although age is not the most determining factor in the choice of a treatment. Everything will depend on the quality of the patient’s skin or the reason for the problem, together we will see which is the best technique.
If the aim is to eliminate wrinkles in a specific area, what is the best method?
In that case there are less invasive interventions such as laser or chemical peeling and dermabrasion, recommended for deteriorated skin or acne marks. Botox, radiofrequency or the Ultra Lift HIFU system, which we have just incorporated into the Dr. Pierre Nicolau Clinic, and which tightens the skin by means of high intensity focused ultrasound, also have great effects.
What about rejuvenating the eyes?
Eyelid surgery is a technique that corrects excess skin and fat bags in the eyelids. It is uncomplicated and the results are long lasting. For those who don’t want to go under the knife, filling dark circles under the eyes is another option because it tightens the skin.