As a face ages, the soft tissues undergo significant changes, leading to visible signs of aging, primarily due to gravity's effect.
Aging in the face involves changes in the underlying structures and tissues. One key aspect is the alteration of the soft tissues, particularly in the cheek area.
Soft Tissue Changes
With age, the soft tissues of the upper cheeks get smaller. This reduction in volume contributes to a less full, more descended appearance in the mid-face region.
The Role of Gravity
While there is some loss in soft tissue volume over time, the primary cause for age-related changes in the face is the gravitational ptosis of these tissues. Ptosis refers to the dropping or sagging of tissues due to the pull of gravity over many years. As the supporting structures weaken slightly and gravity exerts its continuous force, these tissues naturally drop lower in the face.
Key Factors in Facial Aging (Based on Reference)
- Soft Tissue Atrophy: Tissues in areas like the upper cheeks decrease in size.
- Gravitational Ptosis: The main driver of visible aging changes is the downward movement (dropping) of soft tissues caused by gravity.
These combined effects lead to a flattening of the cheeks, deeper nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the mouth corners), and a general descent of facial features over time.
