Ever wonder how sun exposure can age you? It's not just about wrinkles. It's also about losing that youthful plumpness in your face. Facial volume loss, combined with sun damage, really speeds up the ageing process. Let's dive into how the sun steals your face's youthful shape and what you can do about it.
What is Facial Volume Loss?
As you age, you lose fat, bone, and collagen, which keep your face plump and firm. Fat pads under your skin shrink. The bone around your jaw and eye sockets disappears. Collagen and elastin, which keep your skin tight, break down. All this leads to a sunken, aged look.
Facial volume loss means your face is losing its fullness. This is natural with age, but the sun makes it worse.
What causes facial volume loss?:
- Genetics: Some people are more likely to experience facial volume loss than others due to their genes.
- Ageing: As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which are all essential for maintaining facial volume.
- Weight loss: Rapid weight loss can cause the skin to sag and lose volume.
- Smoking damages the skin's collagen and elastin, leading to loss of facial volume.
- Sun exposure: UV radiation from the sun can damage the skin's collagen and elastin, leading to facial volume loss.
Common Areas Affected by Volume Loss
- Cheeks: They can become flat and hollow.
- Temples: These areas may sink in.
- Under-eye area: You might notice dark circles and hollows.
- Jawline: It loses definition and sags.
- Around the mouth: Lines and wrinkles deepen.
The Sun's Impact on Skin Aging
The sun isn't your skin's best friend. UV rays cause photoaging, which is premature ageing from sun exposure. They also mess with your skin's structure big time.The sun's UV rays trigger enzymes that eat away at collagen and elastin. This causes your skin to lose its support structure, resulting in more sagging and less volume.
Prevention Strategies: Protecting Your Facial Volume
Sunscreen: Your First Line of Defense
Sunscreen is a must. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day and reapply it every two hours, especially when you're outdoors.
Sun Protective Clothing and Shade
Don't rely on sunscreen alone. Wear hats and sunglasses. Try to stay in the shade when the sun is strongest, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Skincare Ingredients That Help
Certain ingredients can boost collagen and protect against sun damage. Look for products with:
- Retinoids: They stimulate collagen production.
- Vitamin C: This is an antioxidant that protects against free radicals.
- Peptides: These help to rebuild collagen.
- Moisturizer: Keeping your skin hydrated can help to maintain its volume and elasticity.
Lifestyle Choices
- Eating a healthy diet: A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and voluminous.
- Getting enough sleep: When you don't get enough sleep, your body produces more cortisol, a hormone that can break down collagen and elastin. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
- Exercising regularly: Exercise can help improve circulation and promote collagen and elastin production. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week
- Avoid smoking and drinking: both habits accelerate ageing, reducing collagen and increasing dehydration.
Treatment Options for Facial Volume Loss
Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers are a popular choice. They add instant volume to areas like the cheeks and under-eye area. These fillers work by attracting water and plumping up the skin.
Sculptra
Sculptra is different. It uses poly-L-lactic acid to stimulate your skin to make more collagen. The results are gradual but can last for a couple of years.
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting involves taking fat from another part of your body and injecting it into your face. It's a more involved procedure, but the results can be long-lasting.
Conclusion
The sun and facial volume loss are a terrible mix. The sun can accelerate the loss of volume in your face. It's essential to use sun protection and consider early intervention. You can maintain a youthful appearance by taking care of your skin and exploring treatment options. Talk to a dermatologist or aesthetic professional to create a plan for you.
