Beyond Wrinkles: How Faces Really Age and What Works
Lines are only one part of aging. Skin quality, volume shifts, ligament laxity, and bone changes shape the face long before deep wrinkles appear.
The best plan treats the right layer at the right time so results look natural in motion.
By Dr. Tim Neavin • Updated
Why wrinkles are only part of the story
- Skin loses collagen and clarity. Texture dulls. Pores and spots show more.
- Fat pads shift and deflate. The midface flattens and the jawline softens.
- Ligaments loosen. Heaviness gathers at the nasolabial and jowl areas.
- Bone remodels. The orbit widens and the maxilla recedes which changes how light hits the face.
- Muscle activity etches lines and can widen the lower face when the masseter is strong.
Plan by pattern, not by product
I study your face at rest and in expression. We map where light should land and where it pools. The first move is the smallest step that changes light the most.
If you are new to this approach, read my top to bottom facial analysis for fillers.
Layered treatments that work
- Skin quality. Daily sunscreen and a simple retinoid routine. Light peels or lasers for texture and spots.
- Muscle balance. Precise neuromodulator dosing smooths motion lines and can refine the lower face.
- Volume and shape. Deep structural fillers or micro fat grafting restore scaffold without puffing the surface.
- Support and lift. When descent is the driver, surgical lifting repositions tissue. Fat support can polish the result. See face lift with fat grafting.
Quick map from concern to first move
| You notice | Likely driver | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Fine lines and dull texture | Skin quality | Sun care, retinoid, light resurfacing |
| Hollows under eyes and flat cheeks | Volume shift | Deep structural filler or micro fat |
| Early jowls and heavy folds | Ligament laxity and descent | Support first. Consider surgical lift if descent dominates |
| Strong frown or crow’s feet | Muscle overactivity | Targeted neuromodulator |
Stages, not ages
- Early change. Skin care and motion control. Small structural edits for balance.
- Middle change. Add deep support and refine shape. Consider limited lift if descent leads.
- Advanced change. Reposition tissue with a lift and add selective volume. Polish skin once structure is set.
What to avoid
- Surface bulk that blurs features and holds water.
- Chasing lines instead of fixing the layer that made them.
- One size plans. Your pattern guides the sequence.
FAQ
Can skincare replace procedures
Good skincare improves texture and pigment. It cannot lift tissue or rebuild scaffold. It supports the plan.
Do fillers replace a lift
Not when descent is the driver. Fillers restore shape. Lifts reposition tissue. They work well together when used in sequence.
How do you keep results natural
Small steps, deep planes, and respect for how your face moves. We add only what improves light and balance.
Next step. Bring clear front and oblique photos. We will map your pattern and build a plan by layer.
Board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in breast, face, and body procedures.
