Wrinkles & Facial Aging (Rhytids)
Do you find yourself noticing the subtle development of wrinkles, softening of the skin, and declining fullness in areas like the cheeks? Facial aging is a natural and inevitable part of life, influenced by time, genetics, and environmental factors.
While solutions like “face yoga” are insufficient when it comes to the hands of time, advances in aesthetic medicine mean that there are effective treatments to help you age gracefully, while maintaining your natural beauty and confidence in your facial appearance.
Below, we discuss the causes and signs of facial aging, as well as board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor’s anti-aging options, from anti-aging skincare to Botox® to surgery.
Causes of facial aging
Facial aging is a multifaceted process, involving both intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors in skin aging include our genetics, the passage of time, and physiological changes like loss of collagen and elastin, volume loss from natural fat deposits, and bone resorption (particularly in the mandibular/jaw area). Extrinsic factors include environmental exposure—sun damage, air pollution, smoking, and poor skin care—that accelerate the aging process and exacerbate wrinkles.
Dr. R. Brannon Claytor
Dr. Claytor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds over 15 years of experience as a cosmetic plastic surgeon. An innovator and teacher in the field of plastic surgery, he uses advanced techniques like the drain-free tummy tuck and deep plane facelift to streamline recovery and provide natural-looking, durable results.
Common signs of aging skin
Which facial rejuvenation options will help you reach your goals depend on the signs of aging you are experiencing. Here are some of the top concerns we hear about from patients who visit our Philadelphia plastic surgery practice from the greater Main Line and Philadelphia areas:
Wrinkles (Rhytids)
There are actually two forms of wrinkling on the skin: dynamic and static wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are those that form during repeated muscle movements, like laugh lines, bunny lines, and crow’s feet. Static wrinkles, on the other hand, are present even when the face is at rest, often deepening with time; these may be a network of surface wrinkles across the skin induced by environmental factors. Static wrinkles can also include forehead lines, neck lines, naso-labial folds, marionette lines, or other dynamic wrinkles that have become permanently etched into the skin.
Sagging, loose skin
The decline in collagen and elastin production over time, coupled with gravity’s pull, leads to sagging, loose skin and a loss of facial definition. This can be most noticeable around the jawline, creating jowls that conceal the natural shape of your mandible, and in the neck area.
Dark spots or sun spots
Long-term sun exposure (or photoaging) without proper protection can result in dark spots and sun spots, giving the skin’s complexion an uneven, spotted appearance.
Volume loss
As we age, the soft tissues and fat pads in the face gradually diminish. Volume loss can result in sunken cheeks and deepening nasolabial folds, and an overall more aged appearance.
Non-surgical wrinkle & aging treatments
Non-surgical treatments are increasingly popular for those looking to address early signs of aging, or for those who prefer less invasive methods to turning back the clock on aging with natural-looking results.
Laser skin resurfacing and IPL
When it comes to facial aging, laser skin resurfacing and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments are some of the most tried-and-true options. These treatments can effectively address sun spots, sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles by promoting collagen production for a smoother, more even complexion throughout the entire face and neck. Plus, modern fractional laser technology means you will experience less (or no) downtime while still seeing noteworthy improvement. Because of its double-duty results and comprehensiveness, laser treatments are a longtime favorite anti-aging treatment. Repeat laser treatments about once a year for best results.
Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Daxxify
We love Botox, and now we have more neuromodulator options than ever before. Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin, and Daxxify all soften dynamic wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the underlying muscles in the upper face, lending to a smoother, more youthful appearance. Neuromodulators can prevent new wrinkling from happening, so return for touch-ups every 3-4 months in order to stave off the formation of static wrinkles.
Silhouette InstaLift
The Silhouette InstaLift offers a non-surgical method to lift sagging skin with “suspension suturing,” providing an immediate lift in the midface and cheek area while stimulating collagen production that helps your results improve over the course of several months. This “lunchtime lift” or non-invasive facelift option is best for patients with mild to moderate facial aging, who are not quite ready to commit to the downtime needed for a surgical facelift, with results that last about 1-2 years.
Silhouette InstaLift
*Individual results may vary.
Dermal fillers
From Juvéderm to Restylane to Revance RHA, Bellafill, and Sculptra Aesthetic, you have options when it comes to filling in lines and wrinkles, restoring lost volume, plumping up the cheek area for a more defined facial structure, and enhancing the lips. Dr. Claytor uses soft tissue fillers incrementally to address facial aging with natural-looking, subtle results that our patients love.
Proper anti-aging skincare routine
While advanced techniques allow us to address many signs of aging in our office, an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure! Take excellent care of your skin with a home skincare routine to prevent wrinkles: moisturize dry skin, use physician-approved skincare active ingredients, and make sun protection a daily ritual: use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, reapply, wear sun-protective clothing (look for UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor), and seek shade as much as possible. Sun damage not only leads to sun spots and causes skin cancer, but ages the skin prematurely by causing wrinkles. At Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery, we will help you create a skincare regimen using medical grade skin care lines like ZO Skin Health and Alastin to help you achieve beautiful, clear, supple skin.
Surgical treatments
For more significant age-related changes, surgical treatments can provide long-lasting and transformative results.
Combination therapy with LaMiNa
To meet his patients’ anti-aging needs efficiently, Dr. Claytor developed LaMiNa, which is a proprietary combination of CO2 laser, microneedling, and topical nanofat application. His study on LaMiNa proved the effects of adding topical nanofat to combined laser skin resurfacing and microneedling (or RF microneedling) to enhance results by not just targeting collagen production deep in the dermis, but also aiding the body’s healing process to produce quicker and more noteworthy results. Learn about his unique non-surgical approach here »
Facelift treatments and/or neck lift
A rhytidectomy, or facelift, addresses sagging skin, jowls, and wrinkles by lifting and tightening the facial tissues in the mid-to-lower face. A neck lift is typically incorporated into the procedure to tackle sagging skin and wrinkles in the neck area.
Brow lift
A brow lift can restore a more youthful and refreshed look in the upper face by raising the brows and smoothing out wrinkles on the forehead and the frown lines.
Deep Plane Face and Neck Lift
Eyelid lift
A blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, removes excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids to rejuvenate the eye area and help you appear more alert and rested.
Facial fat grafting
If one of your big concerns is volume loss in the fat, fat transfer to the face takes excess fat from areas like the abdomen or flanks (love handles) and replaces lost volume in the face through injections. This can provide natural-looking volume enhancement and is often combined with facelifts or other facial rejuvenation.
Lip lift
When the philtrum of the upper lip has become elongated with age, a lip lift is a helpful procedure that shortens the space between the nose and upper lip, resulting in a fuller and more youthful lip appearance without any fillers or injections. If you want additional volume restoration, dermal fillers can be used after the lip lift heals.
Why choose Dr. Claytor for your face and neck lift?Dr. Claytor is well-known for his deep plane facelift technique, which involves releasing ligaments and deeper facial structures to allow a more comprehensive repositioning of falling muscles, fascial tissue, fat, and facial skin (both the dermis and epidermis layers). Watch Dr. Claytor’s video explaining this facelift technique »
Choosing a surgeonYour choice of surgeon plays a critical role in achieving optimal results. Dr. Brannon Claytor, a board-certified plastic surgeon, combines surgical expertise with a deep understanding of facial aging, delivering individualized care to address your unique needs and goals from the initial consultation to postoperative care.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Claytor today by calling (610) 527-4833 or contacting us online to learn more about your treatment options.
Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Feb 20, 2024
