You can wear the latest fashion, keep your body in shape, and use the latest lingo, but your skin will always give away your age. Why? What makes your once-smooth, plump cheeks deflate and wrinkle like a used balloon?
The answer is complicated because aging is a complex process that starts in your body’s cells.
At Rick J. Smith, MD, in East Lansing, Michigan, many of our patients want to know what’s causing their wrinkled, dry, or spotted skin and how they can get their younger look back.
Here, we explain the skin-aging process, how lifestyle factors play a role, and how we can help.
Most skin looks old because it is old. Like most things that have been around a while, your skin shows signs of wear-and-tear. Yet, even young people can have old-looking skin.
Why?
In addition to time, other factors affect your skin’s structure and appearance, starting with changes in its inner layers.
Here’s a look at what goes on inside your skin as time passes.
Collagen and elastin are two key proteins that give your skin its firmness and elasticity. As you age, your body produces less of these proteins.
Lower collagen levels lead to loose, sagging skin, while declining elastin makes your skin less springy and more prone to wrinkles.
The outermost layer of your skin, the epidermis, thins with age. This makes your skin more fragile and less efficient at retaining moisture, which can lead to dryness.
Simultaneously, cell turnover slows, so dead skin cells linger on the surface, making your skin look dull.
Hyaluronic acid, which helps your skin retain moisture, diminishes over time.
Plus, facial fat that keeps your cheeks full and youthful also shifts or shrinks, leading to hollowed cheeks and a sunken appearance.
Years of sun exposure and cumulative damage from UV rays lead to the appearance of spots, discoloration, and uneven skin tone.
While aging is inevitable, certain factors can speed up the process:
Ultraviolet (UV) rays break down collagen and elastin, which can contribute to wrinkles and spots.
The toxins in tobacco reduce blood flow and deplete oxygen in your skin, making it look dull and aged.
A poor diet lacking in antioxidants or hydration can accelerate dullness and dryness.
Chronic stress affects hormone levels, making your skin more prone to wrinkles.
Repetitive movements like frowning and squinting lead to expression lines over time.
Knowing that these factors can speed up or worsen the signs of skin aging gives you an advantage. In fact, changing a few bad habits can help decelerate the aging process.
You can’t stop time, but you can do something about what time does to your skin. Our innovative treatments at Rick J. Smith, MD, can rejuvenate your skin and restore its youthful charm. Here’s how:
Botox relaxes the facial muscles that carve deep creases (dynamic wrinkles) due to repeated expressions.
It’s especially effective on crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines. The treatment itself is quick, taking about 10 minutes, and requires no downtime. Results usually last 3-4 months, providing a smoother, refreshed appearance.
Juvéderm is a dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid that restores facial volume, smoothes wrinkles, and enhances contours.
Whether you have thinning lips, hollow cheeks, or nasolabial folds, Juvéderm gives you natural-looking results with minimal discomfort. You can see improvements immediately, and results can last anywhere from six months to two years.
Our licensed medical esthetician, Jennifer Edwards, offers laser resurfacing to address a wide range of concerns, including sunspots, scars, uneven texture, and discoloration.
There are two types of laser resurfacing:
Ablative laser resurfacing removes the top layer of damaged skin to reveal fresh, youthful skin underneath.
Nonablative resurfacing stimulates collagen production with less downtime — perfect for refining your skin over a series of sessions.
When signs of aging go beyond what noninvasive treatments can address, Dr. Smith may recommend a surgical facelift to dramatically rejuvenate your appearance.
A facelift tightens the skin and underlying tissues, smooths wrinkles, and corrects sagging. Our modern techniques ensure natural-looking results with minimal visible scarring.
Whether you're looking for a quick solution like Botox or a comprehensive rejuvenation plan, we offer tailored treatments to help you look and feel your best.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith or Jennifer Edwards, call Rick J. Smith, MD, or request an appointment online.
