Facial Ageing

Facial ageing is associated with a gradual thinning of the skin and loss of elasticity over time accompanied by the diminishment of dermal collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun exposure accelerates this process at a higher rate than chronologic ageing.

This UV ageing process is termed photoaeging.

To appreciate the contribution of photoaeging to the appearance of aged skin, one needs only compare photo protected skin, such as skin on the inside of the upper forearm or under the chin, to the appearance and texture of skin on face and back of the hands:

  • Textural changes
  • Wrinkles (also called rhytids)
  • Dry and rough skin
  • Dyschromia
  • Solar lentigines
  • Mottled pigmentation
  • Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
  • Vascular ectasias
  • Telangiectasias
  • Rosacea
  • Erythema
  • Degenerative changes
  • Benign
  • Preneoplastic and neoplastic.