As promised on our TNC Aesthetics social media platforms (Facebook, instagram, twitter and YouTube) I have committed to a little blog surrounding the biology of the skin in regards to facial aesthetics. Why? Because I spend a lot of time explaining to men and women why and how their face ended up how it is. I also spend a lot of time explaining the differences between products, where that product will sit and what type of look it will create. I’m also in receipt of many enquiries – far more than actual bookings, surrounding personal qualms about their looks. I hope that this will help raise awareness of the importance of understanding the biology of the skin in this particular instance in relation to the aesthetic beauty of the face – it helps us to reinforce the importance of the professional knowledge required to conduct such procedures in the clinic.
The skin is the outer most organ on the human body and face, it is the bit that ‘appears’ creased as we get wrinkles and the first thing people will notice before shape. There are 3 main layers of the skin before the muscle. These are: The Epidermis (Outermost layer), the Dermis (where the sweat glands, hair follicles and blood vessels live, and the Hypodermis where the fatty deposits mainly collect – then beneath this is a layer of muscle.
As you can see I have included a biological diagram of the layers of the skin which also incorporates a diagram for those suffering with acne – this is because I also receive many enquiries about recommendations for this type of inflammation and this diagram aptly explains the reason for this. (If you are wondering I recommend regular use of a Salicylic acid soap and to keep exfoliation to no more than once per week, in the event that you would like some rejuvenation and to kickstart the renewal of cells process microdermabrasion or micro-needling may be for you.)
My second diagram helps to understand where in the skin these layers sit when we reference the face as it feels like such a thin area that it is hard to differentiate without experience.
So why do we care? Well we care about our appearance as certain characteristics are dictated by biology and age. These concepts are predetermined and not always a fashion statement as is often thought about in media. Psychologically we associate a fresh, plump face with full lips and cheeks as youthful and therefore beautiful … for some reason many people feel that growing older isn’t for them (I happen to be one of them so please be kind! : ) ). Why? Well because this is how people look when they are youthful … this is due to natural stores of fatty deposits within the skin and the natural production of cells, hyaluronic acid and collagen within the skin. At 20-30 years of age most of us will slow down the production of these nutrients/cells and this results in a dryer ‘fabric’ which now creases and is slower to replenish. At this time the over-use of our facial muscles which runs alongside the fatty and deepest layer of the skin, wears away at some (but not all) of our fatty stores, such as the cheeks, lips and forehead. The physics of the world around us means that we cannot avoid gravity .. this, our stretched and now less stretchy and stringy skin means that our stretched out skin is no longer propped up by the fatty deposits that remain beneath and in turn ‘sags’. Worst still, we are unfortunate a humans in that the fatty deposits on our face which then become more prominent and do not reduce (annoyingly), sit to our lower face further aiding in the gravitational pull down. This makes it difficult for the remaining cells and nutrients to pull the skin back in, reduce creases and replenish it’s shape. I have included a diagram showing the loss of fat to different areas of the face which may help ladies and gents to identify why they now have jowels, frown lines, crows feet, nasolabial lines and marionette lines … it’s practically unavoidable … but is it reversible?
Well… that’s a personal choice, do you want to? How will you do it? SO – your saggy lower face bothers you – but is that really what needs filling? You have wrinkles around your eyes – So should you be filling this? Is anything lost? OR is it muscular caused creasing?
Take a look as this diagram and you decide … then head on in for a free consultant so our registered and specially trained nurses can help to advise you how to achieve the look you want, a look that suits you – did you even know cheek fillers would pull all of that lower mess right up? I mean you didn’t think you have a cheek fat problem right? – That’s why understanding the skin and the biology of ageing is so important when making the RIGHT decision for you!
TNC Aesthetics 