Developing the Appearance of a Sagging Face and Fine Lines at Age 22 Normal? (photo)

Question

I am starting to develop lines that run across further than usual at the age of 22!. My tear trough lines run all the way to the sides of my face! It creates a line that divides my cheek in two. Also, above these lines, I have developed bags which makes them seem worse! Like if my checks are sagging or falling over. The bag and the line seems to completely disappear if I pull up my lower eyelid. Would a laser eyelid procedure help tighten this are up? (Aware that I am too young for a bleph)

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"I suggest reaching out to an expert for a formal consultation. I like to recommend my patients start a combination of facial rejuvenation treatments.

1) Skincare with products and microneedling/PRP
2) PDT Light Therapy a few times per month with growth factors
3) Laser treatments like Clear + Brilliant regularly and others (Fraxel, Moxi, Viva, CO2, Erbium, Halo) a few times per year
4) Sculptra injections a few times per year for collagen production with fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Radiesse, and/or Bellafill
5) Thermage/Ultherapy for yearly skin tightening with or without PDO or cone-based Instalift threads for lifting
6) Botox every 2 to 3 months to stop movement lines and prevent lines at rest

Best, Dr. Emer."

Steven Swengel, MD · Answer

The appearance of lines around the eyes and mouth begin to occur in the mid-20s, and I feel that your appearance may be more noticeable as you have kept your weight down and have very little facial fat as well.  If you have noticed a sudden loss of facial volume you may want to check in with your primary care doctor to run some tests to rule out other conditions which can cause sudden volume loss in the face.  Sculptra is by far the best volumizer for facial rejuvenation and would do more than any laser procedure at this point in time.

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

Several factors can account for the appearance of sagging skin, under eye circles or swelling and facial lines:

	
		Extreme weight loss, especially if it is rapid.  Most likely at age 22, this will self-correct when your weight stabilizes for several months
	
		Extensive sun exposure.  Ultraviolet light both breaks down existing collagen by activating enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases) and inhibits formation of new collagen by slowing down the cells that produce it (fibroblasts).  Ultraviolet light accounts for 80% of what we call aging changes in the skin.
	
		Allergies/Atopy, the sensitivity to environmental stressors.  This one plays a role in dark circles under the eyes (allergic shiners), eyelid swelling, formation of lines under the eyes (Dennie Morgan lines).  
	
		Smoking and pollution.  This accounts for much of the other 20% of aging changes.


	I recommend consulting with your board certified dermatologist to evaluate the possible causes and solutions.

Developing the Appearance of a Sagging Face and Fine Lines at Age 22 Normal? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: What can cause sagging skin and fine lines at age 22

Answer: What can cause sagging skin and fine lines at age 22

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Developing the Appearance of a Sagging Face and Fine Lines at Age 22 Normal? (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: What can cause sagging skin and fine lines at age 22

Answer: What can cause sagging skin and fine lines at age 22

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.