Causes of Volume Loss

Volume loss is one of the three aspects of facial aging (the other two being skin texture changes and sagging skin). These aspects of facial aging combine as we get older to make us look older and more tired than we want to look. The severity and quickness that we show aging depends on both genetics and our environment and lifestyle.
Volume loss, also known as fat loss, occurs when we lose fat in our face. It is most pronounced around the eyes and cheekbones. When someone says that as they have aged, they have become more haggard or that their eyes or cheeks are more sunken, this is usually due to fat loss in the face.

So what causes volume loss? Just like the other aspects of facial aging, it is caused by genetics, but can be affected by your lifestyle. Volume loss is a part of intrinsic aging, which is another term for the natural aging process. Along with volume loss, this includes graying hair, the development of fine lines, and collagen degeneration.
 
Your genetic predisposition to these elements of aging will determine how quickly they show up in your adulthood. Just as some people go gray at 25 and some go gray at 60, some people will begin to thin in the face sooner than others. This process cannot be stopped, though you can obviously reverse the effects with cosmetic procedures.
 
Your weight will obviously affect how quickly or slowly fat loss shows up on your face. One of the reasons why some people who are overweight can look like theyre not aging very quickly is because the extra weight in their face is counter-acting the affects of natural volume loss. Their cheeks are still chubby, lines and wrinkles are more filled in, and the eyes are less sunken.
 
That is not to say that you should be overweight. Regular diet and exercise will keep the rest of your body looking fit and vibrant. However, you may be trading a younger looking tush for a slightly older looking face, depending on the cards genetics have dealt you.
 
We will discuss the solutions for volume loss later in the week!
 
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, call us at (703) 574-2588! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.