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Facial
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Facial Aging- Collagen Damage

Sun Damage and the Face

If skin is protected from the sun's damaging rays, it is very hard to distinguish 20 year old skin from 30 or 40 year old skin. The problem with facial skin is that it is the skin most often exposed to the sun. As our face receives more and more sun damage, our facial skin begins to show all the signs of aging. We begin seeing brown spotting, spider veins, sagging skin, enlarged pores and fines lines & wrinkles. As the sun damages our facial skin the collagen, which makes up over 80% of our healthy facial skin, begins to degrade and look old and less healthy. There is also the risk of skin cancer, the most dangerous effect of sun damage.

Normally adult skin is 80% (dry weight) collagen and 4% elastic fibers. In sun damaged skin the normal fibers get replaced with clumps of abnormal elastic tissue which does not function properly, limiting the skin's ability to stretch and recoil. It fills up the skin, takes the place of the normal structures, resulting in wrinkling and sagging.

Sagging Skin

One of the problems with sagging skin on the face is that it allows the fat pads under our eyes to protrude and cause puffiness or bags under the eyes. People with allergies also get a lot more congestion of the veins called 'allergic shiners' making us look tired.

Treatment is Available

There are a wide variety of treatment options available today to help induce collagen creation in our face. From laser treatment to injectables, chemical peels to microdermabrasion, modern science has developed techniques to fight back the signs of aging. Each method has its own merits and varies in terms of its effectiveness.

Consult with an Experienced Physician

Consulting with a doctor to discuss your aging skin is ideal. They are the ones most qualified to explain the latest technologies available to treat aging skin and can look over your condition to see what will bring the best results.

For more information on treating aging skin on your face, see: Laser Treatment, Injectables Comparison, Choosing Your Doctor





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Last Modified: December 6, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions
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The information contained in the above article is purely for educational purposes and is not intended to provide any medical advice. Always consult with your physician before having any medical procedure performed.
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