As we age, facial muscles weaken and deep fat pads begin to atrophy and descend, particularly in the cheeks, midface, and temples. These changes contribute to volume loss, deep nasolabial folds, hollowing, jowling, and reduced facial definition, which are all hallmark indicators of facial ageing. From the age of twenty-five, both men and women experience a gradual decline in collagen production. For women, this process accelerates significantly during the first five years of menopause, with collagen levels decreasing by up to thirty percent. This shift profoundly impacts the skin’s structure and the natural volume of the face. Combined with skin laxity and redistribution of facial fat, these changes can result in a heavier, more aged appearance.

As we age or experience weight loss, bone density depletes across the face leading to hollowing in the temple area. This is one of the most commonly overlooked signs of ageing, contributing to facial asymmetry and a gaunt or sunken appearance over time. As this area becomes more concave, it can contribute to brow descent and create a skeletal appearance to the face. Restoring volume to this area can be complex, as makeup offers minimal correction and topical skincare cannot address the deeper structural changes beneath the skin. It’s important to take a balanced approach - restoring volume only to the cheeks, without addressing surrounding areas like the temples, may unintentionally accentuate facial asymmetry. Restoring volume to the temples helps support the brow and enhances the periorbital area, creating a more lifted and youthful appearance. As we age, the outer brow may gradually descend, contributing to a heavy, drooped appearance.t goes here

Tear trough hollowing, also known as infraorbital hollowing, is one of the earliest and most noticeable changes in the periorbital region as we age. It becomes more prominent due to volume loss and diminishing structural support in the delicate area where the lower eyelid meets the upper cheek, leading to a visible groove that contributes to a tired or sunken appearance. This visible hollow is often accentuated by the forward projection of the orbital fat pad, casting a shadow that gives rise to the appearance of dark circles. The effect is further intensified by thinning skin, pigmentation, or visible blood vessels beneath the surface. Genetics, underlying health conditions, and lifestyle factors such as stress or poor sleep can all contribute to this presentation. Well-supported tear troughs help reduce shadowing, brighten the under-eye area, and soften signs of fatigue - restoring a smooth, luminous contour that reflects a well-rested and youthful appearance.

Midface volume loss is one of the earliest anatomical shifts observed in facial ageing. As deep fat pads atrophy and skeletal support diminishes, the cheek area begins to flatten, reducing midface projection and altering the overall contour. This not only accentuates the tear trough, creating a more hollowed or fatigued appearance, but also undermines support for the nasolabial folds and lower face, contributing to soft tissue descent and early signs of jowling. As midface projection is lost, the nose can also appear more prominent, subtly altering facial balance and proportion.

Contour in the cheeks enhances facial definition, restores balance, and provides foundational support to surrounding features. The cheeks are the architecture of the face - high, well supported cheek structure helps preserve midface lift and slows the visible effects of descent, hollowing, and heaviness as we age.

As we age, anatomical changes can affect the shape and projection of the nose. The upper maxilla (upper jaw bone), which provides foundational support to the nasal base and tip, gradually undergoes resorption. This loss of structural support causes the nasal tip to descend and rotate downward, contributing to a heavier or drooping appearance. The radix, the area between the eyes where the nose begins may become more prominent or deep-set as soft tissue and skeletal volume diminish, often exaggerating the appearance of a dorsal hump or imbalance along the nasal profile. These changes can alter the overall harmony of the face, particularly in the side profile, where the nose plays a central role in creating proportion and facial continuity. A well-positioned radix and supported nasal tip contribute to a more refined and balanced profile.

A weak jawline reduces definition and disrupts overall facial harmony. For men, this can detract from a traditionally masculine aesthetic. As we age, the jawline is particularly vulnerable to skin laxity and soft tissue descent. This can cause a woman’s face to appear older and more masculine, while in men, it may soften the lower face and result in a more feminine profile. A weak or recessed jawline may be present from youth or develop gradually due to genetics, ageing, or a loss of structural support in the lower face. As the skin loses firmness and fat pads shift, definition along the mandibular border diminishes. A refined jawline draws attention away from under chin fullness and a recessed chin, enhances the lower third, improves side profile balance, and subtly lifts and frames the face.

Lips play a central role in facial balance, expression, and perceived youth. With age, volume loss, repetitive movement, and reduced collagen can cause the lips to appear thinner, less defined, and downturned. This often results in a flatter, curled-in appearance and a subtle shift toward a tired or ‘sad’ expression. Perioral ageing often presents as vertical rhytides (commonly known as smoker’s lines), marionette folds, and general volume depletion around the mouth. These changes result from repetitive muscular movement, dermal collagen loss, and declining skin elasticity. Lips are highly personal, and what’s considered beautiful varies widely. While there are guiding principles of balance and proportion, lips should ultimately celebrate the individual - honouring one’s natural anatomy within the context of the overall facial harmony.

The neck, décolletage, and earlobes have a thinner dermal structure, fewer sebaceous glands, and lower collagen density compared to the face, making them biologically more susceptible to premature ageing. In today’s screen-heavy world, repetitive downward motion leads to what is commonly referred to as tech neck, with horizontal creases, early platysmal laxity, and sagging beneath the chin. sun exposure accelerates collagen degradation and triggers photo-damage, leading to uneven pigmentation and dermal thinning. Earlobes are similarly affected, becoming thinner, more wrinkled, and often stretched from years of sun exposure or wearing heavy earrings. These areas respond well to targeted treatments that restore elasticity, reinforce dermal structure, and support long-term skin integrity.

As we age, the supportive structures of the midface — including key fat pads and underlying bone — begin to shrink and shift. This gradual loss of volume causes the cheeks to descend, deepening the nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the mouth) and forming fine accordion lines that radiate when smiling. A key area of change is the piriform aperture, located near the base of the nose. As this region loses volume through bone resorption, it creates a hollowing effect that allows nearby fat and skin to fold forward, deepening creases in the lower face. These signs tend to develop earlier in those with lean features, low body fat, or strong facial movement.