The internal ageing process: what actually happens? 

Skin and Hair Skin's intrinsic deterioration is related to an accumulation of damage from free radicals created during normal cell metabolism, and a reduction in the body's ability to defend against it.  This triggers chemical pathways that results in suppression of skin growth factors, up-regulation of tissue destruction enzymes, and increased inflammation. This causes breakdown of the collagen and elastin network, resulting in dry skin, loss of elasticity, thinning of the skin, and wrinkles. Our hair follicles also accumulate damage over time resulting in thinning of our hair. Fat changes Oxidative stress in fat cells is linked to accelerated fat ageing and DNA damage. Studies have shown that the fat compartments of our face are discretely partitioned into multiple, independent units by facial barriers. Fat loss and descent of these compartments compound the ageing appearance, giving us a deflated, sagging look. Muscle changes Free radicals also play an important role in the muscle ageing process. Also, as we age our facial muscles no longer have the bony support that they once had. As they try to maintain their resting tone, repetitive facial movements results in wrinkles that once were only noticeable with facial expression and soon become noticeable at rest. Bone changes Bone is a living tissue that is constantly remodelling. Studies have show that oxidative stress which increases with age, adversely affecting our bone homeostasis. In subjects older than 35 there seems to be a tipping of the balance in facial bones toward bone breakdown and resorption rather than bone formation. This results in changes to our facial structure and reduction in support for overlying soft tissues. Our cheeks flatten, our orbits widen, and our soft tissues head south! Reference: Saluja SS and Fani SG. A Holistic Approach to Antiaging as an Adjunct to Antiaging Procedures: A Review of the Literature.  Dermatologic Surgery 2017;43:475-484.    

The internal ageing process: what actually happens? 

Skin and Hair

Skin's intrinsic deterioration is related to an accumulation of damage from free radicals created during normal cell metabolism, and a reduction in the body's ability to defend against it.  This triggers chemical pathways that results in suppression of skin growth factors, up-regulation of tissue destruction enzymes, and increased inflammation. This causes breakdown of the collagen and elastin network, resulting in dry skin, loss of elasticity, thinning of the skin, and wrinkles. Our hair follicles also accumulate damage over time resulting in thinning of our hair.

Fat changes

Oxidative stress in fat cells is linked to accelerated fat ageing and DNA damage. Studies have shown that the fat compartments of our face are discretely partitioned into multiple, independent units by facial barriers. Fat loss and descent of these compartments compound the ageing appearance, giving us a deflated, sagging look.

Muscle changes

Free radicals also play an important role in the muscle ageing process. Also, as we age our facial muscles no longer have the bony support that they once had. As they try to maintain their resting tone, repetitive facial movements results in wrinkles that once were only noticeable with facial expression and soon become noticeable at rest.

Bone changes

Bone is a living tissue that is constantly remodelling. Studies have show that oxidative stress which increases with age, adversely affecting our bone homeostasis. In subjects older than 35 there seems to be a tipping of the balance in facial bones toward bone breakdown and resorption rather than bone formation. This results in changes to our facial structure and reduction in support for overlying soft tissues. Our cheeks flatten, our orbits widen, and our soft tissues head south!

Reference: Saluja SS and Fani SG. A Holistic Approach to Antiaging as an Adjunct to Antiaging Procedures: A Review of the Literature.  Dermatologic Surgery 2017;43:475-484.