Anti-Aging Overview

There are clear and dramatic differences in the development of skin aging in women with brown skin as compared to women with white skin. Although hereditary factors may be involved, these differences are most likely related to the protective properties of increased melanin content in the skin. In a nutshell, thanks to the melanin content of our skin, it tends to show fewer visible signs of aging than Caucasian skin.

Aging among women and men of African, Hispanic and Asian descent does occur, but it is more pronounced in those individuals with lighter skin hues. The more melanin present in the skin, presumably the more protection one has from the ravages of aging.

Also, the characteristics of aging tend to occur at a more advanced age in those with brown skin as compared to whites. Unlike white skin where deep wrinkles, brown skin spots, and pre-cancerous growths develop, brown skin develops finer wrinkles, but has a greater tendency toward uneven skin tones and lumpy growths.

Another common characteristic of brown skin is its loss of support with a hollowness of the cheeks and prominent sagging of the skin especially in the neck and jawline areas. Read below to learn how your skin ages.

Your 30s

• Slight loss of the radiance of the skin with the onset of dullness
• Slight appearance of frown lines on the forehead
• Appearance of small growths on the cheeks

Your 40s

• Uneven skin tone due to sun exposure and irregular pigmentation
• Growths on the face enlarge
• Frown lines on the forehead begin to appear in repose
• Increasing prominence of the line from the edge of the nose to the corners of the mouth
• A few very fine lines around the eyes and mouth especially in Asian and Latina skin
• The beginning of pockets of fatty tissue such as under the chin and under the eye

Your 50s

• Dryer, more dull complexion due to loss of estrogen at menopause
• Darker facial skin compared to your neck or chest
• Increasing prominence of fine lines and wrinkles, especially in lighter Asian and Latina skin
• Deepening of the groove lines from the edge of the nose to the corners of the mouth
• Sagging of the skin, especially in the area between the nose and the outer corner of the mouth, or in the neck and jawline
• Lines across the forehead are more prominent
• Cheeks begin to have a hollow appearance
• White spots on the legs and arms (not related to vitiligo)
• Age (or liver) spots on the face and hands primarily in lighter Asian and Latina skin

Your 60s and beyond

• More prominent sagging of the skin on the face, and chin and jawline
• Loss of volume of the cheeks with a hollow appearance
• Deep grooves from the edge of the nose to the corners of the mouth
• Lines are etched across the forehead
• Permanent frown lines on the forehead
• Prominent fatty "bags" under the eyes

Treatment Options

• Chemical peels and microdermabrasion for skin discoloration
• Botox® for frown and forehead lines
• Filler substances such as Restylane, Juvederm, Hylaform, and Collagen for the lines between the nose and angles of the mouth
• Laser treatments to help stimulate new collagen formation