Aging is a natural process that everyone goes through. However, some people’s faces seem to withstand the test of time better than others. So how can you tell if your face will age gracefully or not? There are a few key factors that influence how well your face ages.
Genetics
Genetics play a big role in how your face ages. People whose parents or grandparents maintained a youthful appearance into their older years likely have genes that promote elasticity in the skin and production of collagen. These attributes result in fewer wrinkles and less sagging over time. If the older members of your family have lots of wrinkles, sun spots, or loose jowls, you may be more genetically prone to those aging signs as well.
Bone structure
Your facial bone structure also affects how gracefully your face ages. Individuals with strong, well-defined bone structure are better able to maintain a youthful visage. The cheekbones, jawline, and facial shape provide an architectural framework or scaffolding that supports the overlying soft tissues of the face. Prominent cheekbones and a well-angled jawline go a long way in preventing jowls and sagging cheeks as you get older.
Facial fat
Fuller faces with more facial fat tend to age better than thin faces. Fat pads in the cheeks, temples, under-eye areas, and chin help provide volume and fill out wrinkles and folds. However, retaining too much facial fat can make the face appear swollen or puffy. The key is having just the right amount of fat distribution to maintain a smooth, contoured, yet youthful look as you age.
Lifestyle factors
How you live your life day-to-day also affects how gracefully your face ages. Habits involving diet, sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, sleep, and facial expressions impact the aging process over time.
Diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet provides essential nutrients for great skin and anti-aging benefits. Vitamins C, E, and A, zinc, selenium, protein, essential fatty acids, and water are especially important for youthful skin. Follow a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid excess sugar, salt, and processed foods.
Sun exposure
Too much unprotected sun exposure is one of the fastest ways to age your skin prematurely. UV rays from the sun degrade collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to wrinkles, dark spots, dryness, and uneven pigmentation. Always wear SPF 30 sunscreen or higher on your face when outside. Get in the habit of reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours if staying in the sun. Wear wide-brimmed hats for added protection.
Smoking
Lighting up accelerates the aging process significantly. Smoking causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin as well as decreasing blood flow to the skin. This results in wrinkles, sagging, dull skin tone, and uneven pigmentation associated with older-looking skin. Don’t smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible.
Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol dehydrates the skin and body, which can make wrinkles and fine lines more noticeable. It also dilates blood vessels under the surface of the skin causing redness and flushing. Moderate your alcohol intake by having no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men.
Sleep
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Not getting enough sleep can lead to dark under-eye circles, puffy eyes, and lackluster skin. Lack of sleep accelerates aging since that is when the body repairs itself. Get consistent, high-quality sleep to maintain a youthful glow.
Facial expressions
The repetitive facial movements made during certain expressions etch lines into the skin over time. Frowning, squinting, and smiling can lead to wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth. Be mindful of facial expressions and avoid constantly furrowing your brow or squinching your eyes.
Signs your face may not age well
While it’s impossible to predict how your face will look decades from now, there are some early warning signs that indicate your facial skin may not age very gracefully. Keep an eye out for these clues:
Thin skin
If the skin on your face is already quite thin and you can easily see veins just under the surface, your facial skin is unlikely to hold up as well over time. Thin skin has less collagen and fat padding and will wrinkle and crepe more easily.
Dry skin
Insufficient moisture in your skin can cause early fine lines and discomfort which leads to wrinkle-causing squinting and facial tension. Very dry skin has a hard time bouncing back and retaining a plump, supple look with age.
Sun damage
Early signs of sun damage like uneven pigmentation, dark spots, and rough texture don’t bode well for how your skin will age. Sun-damaged skin is more prone to developing wrinkles and precancerous growths.
Smoker’s lines
Thin vertical lines around the lips indicate cumulative damage from smoking cigarettes. These smoker’s lines demonstrate how smoking accelerates aging around the mouth and are a predictor that your facial skin may age prematurely.
Volume loss
A gaunt or hollow look to the cheeks or eyes suggests you may have inadequate facial fat and bone structure to support your face as it ages. Volume loss leads to sagging skin and wrinkles.
Ways to help your face age gracefully
While some aspects of how your face ages are out of your control, like genetics, there are still many things you can start doing now to help your face age beautifully.
Moisturize daily
Use a daily moisturizer suited to your skin type. Look for anti-aging formulations containing retinol, antioxidants, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and exfoliating hydroxy acids.
Wear sunscreen
Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen or higher to your face whenever going outside during the day. Reapply every 2 hours if staying in the sun.
Don’t smoke
Avoid smoking cigarettes or any tobacco products to help prevent wrinkles associated with smoking.
Stay hydrated
Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to keep your skin cells plump and healthy.
Limit alcohol
Heavy alcohol consumption can dehydrate your skin. Limit alcohol to 1 drink daily for women, 2 for men.
Eat a healthy diet
Follow a nutritious diet focused on fresh, whole foods like produce, nuts, seeds, proteins, and whole grains.
Sleep 7-9 hours
Get enough quality sleep so your body can recharge and repair itself overnight.
Relax your face
Try to avoid expressions that strain your facial muscles like frowning or squinting. Reduce tension in your face.
Consider fillers
Injectable dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can plump up facial folds and restore lost volume.
Get chemical peels
Light chemical peels can freshen up dull skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lines, and sun spots.
Try laser resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing removes damaged outer layers of skin to reveal newer, smoother layers below.
The bottom line
How gracefully your face ages depends on a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle habits. While some aspects are out of your control, maintaining healthy skin and lifestyle practices can help promote beauty and slow signs of aging. Aim to hydrate skin, eat a nutrient-rich diet, apply sunscreen, avoid smoking, and get sufficient sleep. With consistent effort, it’s possible to help your face defy time and remain vibrant for years to come.