12 Proven Ways To Reduce Facial Ageing, As Per A US Doctor

You might have been living in a bubble if you think that facial ageing has anything to do only with age and skin. There are deeper layers that determine how you look, as well as external factors that drive ageing.

Dr Thomas Paloschi, a US-trained doctor most commonly referred to as Dr Longevity on Instagram, recently shared the factors that contribute to facial ageing and how people can slow it down.

"Facial aging starts beneath the skin; that's why topical treatments aren't enough," read the post. He added that it is not a surface-level process, but one reflected by progressive changes in bone structure, fat compartments, and collagen architecture, along with UV exposure and hormonal signalling.

When And How Facial Ageing Begins

The expert explained that facial ageing is commonly blamed on the skin alone, but it is only the final layer. Here is how facial ageing begins

Bone Framework - The expert mentioned that the facial skeleton does not stay fixed, but instead reshapes with age. Changes in orbital structure, maxilla bone loss, and mandibular angle widening reduce the support needed to keep the tissue lifted over the years.

Fat Compartment Shift - Over time, the fat map of the face gets reshaped as deep fat pads shrink and superficial ones migrate downwards, producing bags, hollows, and jowls.

Skin and Collagen - The dermis starts thinning with age, collagen production slows down, and elastin fragments, while the extracellular matrix weakens. This results in reduced elasticity and firmness.

UV Damage - Many studies have concluded that UV rays accelerate ageing. They stiffen elastin, fragment collagen, damage DNA, and accelerate visible ageing. 

Hormonal Shifts - Estrogen helps maintain collagen density, skin thickness, and hydration. After menopause, a rapid decline in the hormone leads to thinning, dryness, and faster ageing.

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A post shared by Thomas Paloschi MD | Dr. Longevity™ (@dr.longevity)

How To Slow Down Facial Ageing

Now that you know what causes facial ageing, what are you going to do about it? Dr Thomas Paloschi shared 12 proven ways to slow down facial ageing,

• Protein intake helps maintain dermal and soft-tissue proteins
• Strength training supports bone structure and the facial scaffold
• Retinoids improve texture and increase collagen
• Vitamin D is essential for bone remodelling
• Stable glucose levels reduce collagen glycation, which you can achieve by walking after meals
• Daily sunscreen use slows down photoaging
• Hydration supports dermal plumpness
• Red light therapy may mildly boost collagen production
• Avoiding midday UV exposure is the best way to prevent accelerated ageing
• Barrier repair reduces water loss and inflammation
• Lower stress reduces collagen breakdown
• Sleeping for 7-8 hours optimises nightly repair

Since the skin is the last layer where ageing shows, and it begins in the deeper structures, you have to be more aggressive about preventive methods beyond the active ingredients in your skincare products.

The expert mentioned, "While ageing is universal, its rate is not; we can slow it while improving overall health."

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