We’re all familiar with the face lift as being the ultimate solution to bringing back a youthful look to an aging face. However, new research suggests that restoring a youthful look takes more than just tightening loose skin. A study recently published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery suggests that facial rejuvenation of the future may incorporate two steps: first restoring the structure underneath the skin before performing skin-tightening procedures.
Using a computer program to analyze the structure of the face in 20 men and 20 women in each of three age groups: young (ages 20–36), middle (41–64), and old (65 and older), researchers found the following:
- The angle of the jaw increased markedly with age leading to a loss of definition of the lower border of the face
- The length of the jaw decreased significantly when comparing young to middle aged adults
- The decline in jaw height from the middle aged to older adults was noteworthy.
The jaw forms the foundation of the lower face and any changes to it can affect the face’s appearance. Any decline in jaw volume during the aging process will result in less support of the soft tissue of the lower face and neck. The result is sagging skin and a loss of jaw-line definition leading to a softer, oval appearance to the lower face.
The study points the way to the future of facial cosmetic procedures, which may include methods to rebuild the structure in addition to rectifying sagging skin.
