Understanding the 3 types of Ageing: Are you a Sinker, Sagger or Wrinkler?
As we naturally age, our skin and facial features change in unique ways. Most people fall into the categories:
Sinker, Sagger or Wrinkler.
Each category has its own set of characteristics and requires specific treatments to combat the effects of aging.
Here is a closer look at each type, along with the best treatment option for each.
The Sinker : Loss of facial volume
Does your face feel like its slowly deflating, with volume loss creating a hollow appearance?
If so you might fall into the "sinker" category. Sinkers experience significant volume loss, Particularly in areas
like the temples, mid- face and beneath the cheekbones. This is largley due to the natural ageing process, which
leads to fat loss in the face.
By the age of 35, the average person loses about 10% of the fat in their face. This continues at a rate of 5-10% every 5-10 years. By age 55, you may have lost as much as 40% of the fat in your face, resulting in a sunken and hollowed-out look. The skin also becomes thinner and rougher, which contributes to an aged appearance.
Treatment Options: To combat facial volume loss, dermal fillers are highly effective. These treatments can help “Sinkers” regain that vibrant, plump look.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectables designed to restore lost volume, smooth out wrinkles, and add structure to the face. Typically composed of hyaluronic acid (HA), fillers provide immediate results by adding volume where it’s needed most. They target areas such as the lips, cheeks, and under the eyes, restoring youthful fullness. Key benefits include:
• Volume restoration: Fillers help to plump up sunken areas, creating a more youthful and balanced appearance.
• Smoothing wrinkles: By filling areas where the skin has become lax, dermal fillers reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
• Instant results: The effects of dermal fillers are visible immediately after the treatment, offering a quick solution to volume loss.
Areas Commonly Treated for Sinkers
• lips: Volume loss in the lips can contribute to a less youthful look. It can also change the appearance of your mouth making you look stern. Lips also can become more dry.
• Cheeks: Mid-face volume loss can cause the cheeks to appear flat or saggy. Fillers restore plumpness and help lift the face.
• Under-eye area: Loss of fat beneath the eyes can cause hollows and dark circles. Fillers in this area restore volume and brighten the eyes.
• Nasolabial folds and marionette lines: These lines become deeper with age and volume loss. Fillers soften them by adding structure and support.
Results and Benefits
• Natural-looking fullness: Fillers add subtle volume to specific areas, giving the face a refreshed and youthful appearance without looking “overdone.”
• Skin hydration and elasticity: Hyaluronic acid-based fillers also attract moisture, enhancing the skin’s texture and suppleness.
• Collagen stimulation: Some fillers promote collagen production over time, providing longer-term skin benefits.
Combining Dermal Fillers with Other Treatments
For optimal results, dermal fillers can be combined with other treatments such as HIFU (to lift and tighten) or polynucleotides (to repair and stimulate collagen). This multi-faceted approach addresses both the structural loss and skin quality concerns that come with aging.
The Sagger : Skin losing elasticity
If your skin seems to be “sliding off” your bone structure, you may be a “Sagger.” This aging category is defined by the loss of skin elasticity, which causes sagging as the skin’s connective tissues weaken and the effects of gravity take hold.
As we get older, collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for keeping skin firm begin to break down. This results in loose, sagging skin that lacks its former youthful bounce.
Treatments can help restore a youthful, firm appearance.
Treatment Options: The best way to treat sagging skin is through a combination of volume restoration and collagen stimulation.
1. HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)
HIFU is a non-invasive treatment that targets the deeper layers of the skin, promoting collagen production through focused ultrasound energy. It works by delivering heat to the SMAS (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) layer, encouraging tissue tightening and lifting. The benefits include:
• Tightening and lifting: HIFU can lift and firm areas like the jawline, neck, and brows.
• Long-term collagen boost: Stimulates natural collagen production, improving skin elasticity over time.
• Non-invasive: No downtime or invasive procedures.
2. Skin Boosters
Skin boosters, such as hyaluronic acid injectables, deliver deep hydration and improve skin texture, making the skin appear firmer and plumper. They restore volume loss caused by aging and boost the skin’s natural glow. Benefits include:
• Hydration and volume restoration: Skin boosters help fill fine lines and wrinkles while restoring lost volume, particularly in the mid-face area.
• Improved skin texture: Enhanced smoothness and glow.
• Collagen stimulation: They promote collagen production indirectly by improving skin hydration.
3. Polynucleotides
Polynucleotides are injectable treatments designed to repair damaged skin, stimulate collagen, and enhance tissue regeneration. They act as a biostimulator, rejuvenating the skin at a cellular level. The key benefits include:
• Repair and regeneration: Polynucleotides help repair damaged tissue and improve overall skin health.
• Collagen production: They stimulate fibroblast activity, promoting the production of new collagen fibers.
• Increased skin elasticity: By improving the structure of the skin’s matrix, they reduce sagging and restore firmness.
The Wrinkler : Fine lines & wrinkles
If you’re noticing defined lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes, forehead, and lips, you may be a “Wrinkler.” This category is characterised by fine lines that are often caused by repetitive facial movements over the years.
Frequent expressions—such as frowning, squinting, or puckering lips—create small lines that gradually deepen into wrinkles. Common examples include:
• Frown lines between the brows
• Crow’s feet around the eyes
• Lip lines from smoking or sipping through a straw
For Wrinklers, Botox is the top treatment. Botox works by relaxing the muscles responsible for wrinkle formation, smoothing out existing lines and preventing new ones from developing.
Other treatments to combat fine lines & wrinkles are :
HIFU Pen (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)
Tightens and lifts the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also stimulates long-term collagen production, leading to smoother and firmer skin over time.
Polynucleotides
Rejuvenates the skin, smooths fine lines, and restores a more youthful appearance by enhancing the skin’s natural regeneration processes. Ideal for areas prone to fine lines, such as around the lips
Microneedling
Smooths fine lines, improves skin texture, and boosts the skin’s overall elasticity. It is especially effective for reducing the appearance of superficial wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and forehead lines. It can also enhance the effectiveness of topical treatments applied after the procedure.
Preventative measures for youthful skin
No matter your aging style, there are preventative steps you can take to keep your skin looking youthful for as long as possible:
Sun Protection: UV exposure is one of the leading causes of accelerated aging. Always wear sunscreen, avoid the midday sun, and seek shade when possible.
Limit Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate your skin and deplete it of vital nutrients, leading to a rough, dry, and sunken appearance. Moderate your intake to keep skin hydrated and healthy by drinking lots of water.
Nutrient-Rich Diet: A diet rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and essential nutrients can help maintain the health and appearance of your skin. Incorporating foods like leafy greens, berries, and omega-3 fatty acids can support skin’s elasticity and radiance.
Using silk pillow cases - Silk pillowcases offer a range of benefits for both your skin and hair due to the smooth, soft texture and natural properties of silk. Helping to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, reducing hair breakage and frizz, maintains skin hydration and helping with Hypoallergenic properties, also enhances the benefits of good sleep.
Targeted aesthetic treatments can be incorporated to help maintain a youthful appearance and combat the signs of aging.
Limit high intensity exercise - While exercise is crucial for overall health, high intensity workouts can cause stress on the body and accelerate aging if not balanced properly. Over-exertion increases the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that can break down collagen, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a Sinker, Sagger, or Wrinkler, understanding your unique aging style is the first step in choosing the right treatments to restore a youthful, vibrant appearance. By combining healthy lifestyle habits with targeted aesthetic treatments, you can age gracefully and even turn back the clock on your complexion.
Love Team OC x
Comments