Ageing of the face is often blamed on wrinkles alone, but in reality it is a layered biological process that involves changes in the skin, fat and bone. Understanding these layers explains why the face changes shape over time and why good treatment planning always considers more than just the surface.
From our mid twenties onward, collagen production gradually slows. Collagen provides structure and tensile strength, while elastin allows the skin to recoil after movement.
As these proteins decline:
• Skin becomes thinner
• Wrinkles form more easily
• Elasticity reduces
• Healing slows
Sun exposure, smoking, stress and inflammation accelerate this process by increasing collagen breakdown.
Facial fat is organised into specific compartments. With age, these pads either shrink, descend or redistribute. This leads to:
• Flattening of the cheeks
• Deepening of nasolabial folds
• Hollowness under the eyes
• Jowling along the jawline
The issue is not always volume loss alone. It is also volume shifting.
Bone is living tissue and continues to change across adulthood. With time, certain areas of the facial skeleton slowly resorb. This includes:
• The eye sockets widening
• The jaw shortening vertically
• The midface losing projection
These changes alter the framework that supports soft tissue, contributing to sagging and structural ageing.
Wrinkles are the surface expression of deeper structural change. Long term rejuvenation requires understanding all three layers. Skin quality, support and structure must be considered together.
These changes are a natural part of ageing, and there is nothing “wrong” with them. Ageing is normal, and for many people it is something to embrace. That said, if you feel that certain changes are starting to feel more noticeable than you would like, you are welcome to book a consultation. We can talk through what you are seeing, what is realistically achievable, and whether there are any options to soften the appearance of ageing while keeping results looking natural and balanced.
-
Written by Dr Brandon Kober-Brown MBBS, ProfDipMensHlth, GCCM
Registered Medical Practitioner (General Registration) MED0002581903
Suede Clinic Balmain
Shop 3 / 189 Darling Street Balmain East NSW 2041
Potts Point Clinic
Coming in 2026
