In your 40s, it’s common to experience unwelcome changes in your skin. Your body’s production of collagen and other structural elements slows down at this time in life, which contributes to a loss of elasticity and tone. While genetics and lifestyle choices certainly play a role in the way your face ages, there are anti-aging treatments that can work to help restore a more youthful look, and many of them are entirely non-surgical.
1. BOTOX®
BOTOX is top on the list of anti-aging treatments that work. According to industry statistics, BOTOX is the #1 most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure. BOTOX works by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that create dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are those caused by repetitive facial movements, such as frown lines and crow’s feet around the eyes. BOTOX is sometimes also used as a preventative treatment, helping to slow down the formation of new dynamic wrinkles.
2. Dermal Fillers
Injectable dermal fillers are right behind BOTOX in terms of popularity. Fillers are used to treat lines and plump up hollow spots on the face. There are different dermal filler products formulated for specific uses. For example, Restylane® is a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler used mainly for superficial wrinkles. RADIESSE® is a different type of filler commonly used to address deeper lines, such as the nasolabial folds or marionette lines that tend to form over time.
For some people, a combination of BOTOX and dermal fillers can provide the best results.3. Laser Skin Resurfacing
One of the common complaints among people in their 40s is the change in skin texture. For people with dull, uneven or blotchy skin, laser skin resurfacing can really make a difference. Laser resurfacing generally takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of the treatment area. You may want to take a couple of days off as your skin heals from laser skin resurfacing. Results generally begin to show around 3 weeks after your treatment, and can continue to develop for up to 1 year.
Laser skin resurfacing can help with a number of issues:
- Rough skin texture or uneven skin tone
- Lines and wrinkles
- Age spots
- Sun damage
- Acne scars and other minor scars
4. Fat Injections
Fat injections are an anti-aging treatment that works similarly to the way dermal fillers do. Instead of cosmetic products, however, your own fat cells are used to plump and smooth the contours of your face. This can be an effective way to address hollow cheeks and under-eye circles that make you look older. In order to be a good candidate for fat injections, you must have enough fat elsewhere on your body that can be used for facial filling. The fat is harvested using liposuction, which is a surgical procedure.
Your Skincare Regimen
As you age, it’s important to adjust your skincare regimen accordingly. Products and treatments that worked in your 20s and 30s may no longer do the trick when you reach your 40s. While many anti-aging treatments can be effective, you can enhance and support your results by using quality skincare products, avoiding sun damage and making healthy lifestyle choices.
If you think any of these treatments might be right for you, consult with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon. The right plastic surgeon can bring out your natural beauty and help restore a more youthful appearance to your face without making you look frozen or fake.
Waleed Ezzat, M.D., F.A.C.S. is double board-certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and otolaryngology/head and neck surgery. He operates under the philosophy that natural beauty is the best kind of beauty. Dr. Ezzat addresses each aesthetic or reconstructive challenge by considering the whole facial anatomy rather than focusing on one isolated area. This comprehensive approach maintains a goal of fully functional and natural-looking results that fit perfectly within each individual’s unique genetic makeup.
