It’s a common experience that people often look older after losing a significant amount of weight. This can be puzzling and concerning, especially for those trying to improve their health and appearance through weight loss. However, there are several reasons why losing weight makes your face look older.
Loss of Facial Fat
One of the major causes is the loss of facial fat that occurs with weight loss. The face has compartments of fat located in the cheeks, around the eyes, chin, nose and along the jawline. This subcutaneous fat supports the overlying skin and tissues and provides a youthful, smooth and full appearance to the face.
When you lose weight, especially substantial amounts in a short period, you lose fat from all over your body, including the face. This deflation of facial fat pads causes a hollow, saggy and droopy look to the face with more pronounced wrinkles and loose skin. It can add years to your looks. The undereye area, cheeks and lower face are most affected.
Facial Muscle Atrophy
Facial fat loss also leads to atrophy and sagging of the facial muscles. Like all muscles in the body, facial muscles need proper nutrition, hydration and stimuli to stay firm.
Substantial weight loss shocks the body and causes some breakdown of muscle fibers throughout the body due to nutritional deficits and metabolic changes. Facial muscles are no exception.
Atrophy of muscles like orbicularis oris (around the mouth), buccinator (cheeks) and orbicularis oculi (around eyes) leads to a sunken, dragged down and wrinkly appearance. Dynamic wrinkles become more noticeable. Jowls and drooping eyelids are common effects.
Skin Laxity
The skin naturally loses collagen, elastin fibers and hydration as we age. Youthful skin has thick dermis layer and can retain moisture and withstand mechanical stress. Weight gain causes the skin to expand, which strains the collagenous network.
Losing weight does the reverse – the skin shrinks but is unable to revert to its original tautness. This laxity is more pronounced in the face and neck. Less underlying fat also reduces structural support to the skin. This manifests as loose, inelastic skin hanging in folds and sagging around the jawline and eyes. Deep wrinkles become more conspicuous.
Other Factors
Some other factors can also contribute towards an accelerated aging appearance after weight loss:
Nutritional Deficiencies
Crash diets and very low calorie diets often do not provide adequate proteins, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. These nutritional deficiencies can impact the skin and muscle tone.
The face being more exposed may show the effects more prominently. Loss of facial fat can also release stored retinoids like vitamin A, depleting reserves.
Dehydration
Following restrictive diets often leads to mild dehydration, even if you do not feel particularly thirsty. Water gives the skin a plump, supple look. Mild dehydration exacerbates sagging and hollowing of facial skin and eyes after weight loss.
Sun Exposure
Photodamage from sun exposure is one of the top reasons for skin aging. Losing the fullness in your face unveils more wrinkles, spots and damage accumulated over the years.
Smoking
Like sun-exposure, smoking accelerates facial aging in multiple ways – from tissue damage to vascular changes. Losing facial fat means the wrinkling and gauntness associated with smoking becomes more noticeable.
Preventive Measures
You cannot always stop weight loss from making you look older. But some preventive self-care habits can help mitigate or slow down the unwanted aging effect on your face:
Gradual Weight Loss
Losing no more than 1-2 pounds per week allows your skin to gradually adjust and retract over time. Rapid weight loss shocks the system and leads to more drastic sagging.
Stay Hydrated
Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily for hydration from within. You can also apply hyaluronic acid serums topically as a hydrating layer under moisturizer.
Nutrition
Ensure adequate intake of lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Take supplements to prevent any nutritional deficiencies.
Sun Protection
Use sunscreen daily along with hats, glasses and protective clothing to prevent further photodamage and pigmentation.
Skincare
Invest in quality skincare with ingredients like retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C and peptides to improve collagen production, skin thickness and overall anti-aging action.
Non-invasive Treatments
Take advantage of treatments like ultrasound, radiofrequency microneedling, lasers and injectable fillers to improve skin laxity and replace lost facial volume. These can refresh your appearance after weight loss.
Conclusion
Weight loss leading to an aged, saggy facial appearance is an unfortunate trade-off for many. But one does not necessarily have to accept this as an inevitable consequence. A healthy diet, staying hydrated, using sun protection, maintaining skincare regimen and considering non-invasive treatments can help minimize the aging effect.
If the facial changes are causing significant distress or impacting your self-esteem, do consult a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist. There are several options available today to help restore a youthful face despite weight loss or natural aging. But avoid any drastic or risky procedures and manage your expectations realistically.