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Naturally chubby cheeks and baby-plump skin... many after their 40`s unfortunately are loosing it-all slowly without knowing what to do. So today, it´s all about the facial volume; how to prevent it´s loss, what causes it and what to do...
The plump, voluminous contoured face of our youth is due to optimal cellular function and fat pads. So, fat is good in our face. Can be bad if it´s too much or if you´re having too much weight, but it can be great if in harmony, as like on our 20´s. The fat pads in our face are so very important for looking youthful and good.
Image by DD.
I´m 43, on my 1.75cm hight with weight of 65kg, my face is pretty full. All aesthetic doctors I´ve been to, always think I´m having some cheek fillers. Well, I am not!
One friend of mine, that is also one-of-those-skincare-obsessed like I am, asked me once, what am I doing that my face is so chubby on my age. This made me think, "am I doing anything special that causes my full cheeks?" I decided to do some research about this theme, and I found some interesting things... As turns out, there is a lot we can do at home by ourselves to bring that fat back in the areas we need the most. But the most surprising part for me was about What-Not-To-Do... for example, about skincare devices. What happens, there´re some well known treatments that actually can ruin our precious face fat and so make us lose so needed facial volume making us look older! Read below to know it all....
CAUSES OF VOLUME LOSS and what to do
AGE & SUN
Youthful faces in general have rounded features, a healthy fullness, and smooth, tight skin. But as we age, skin volume declines, often unevenly, much like a grape turning into a raisin. The process is called “soft-tissue atrophy” and results in: sagging skin, wrinkles, hollows and withered soft tissues.
While we age, we have increasing in the body different kind of collagen killer factors like MMPs, matrix and metal proteins. Because of that, our body ramp up and doesn´t make as much collagen as needed to stay youthful and plump.
Our bodies begin to lose collagen when we turn 30. The effects become noticeable after several years. Even though this is a natural process, UV exposure speeds up skins aging process.
SUN, as you might already know, KILLS COLLAGEN, which is why the under-eye and neck areas are the first to show it, because the skin is thinner and more delicate + lots of people forget to put sunscreen on these areas while they're still looking good. Over time, destroyed fibers by the Sun's ultraviolet radiation lose elasticity and the ability to contract after stretching, and so the skin is no longer in good tone and tends to lose its healthy fullness.
HEATING DEVICES
This one might surprise you... Heating devices like Ulthera, a high few Radiofrequency, Thermage and so on, all those tightening with heating treatments are not as good as we might think, especially if you need to preserve the fat in your face. "A great device can harm people!", says plastic surgeon Dr. Anil Rajani "Ultrasound, high frequency or even RF micro-needling devices, and many others devices - as skin tightens with these heating devices, it´s perceived that there´s loss of fat. However, the devices themselves can cause the fat loss. You need to know who´s doing your treatment, and what device is being used", he continues - "Certainly heating the skin can cause fat loss and fat shrinking, but we want this effect in some areas and not in others. If you´re in a good professional hands, he´ll rarely do the heating devices the same on all areas of your face."
You may say, but I look better after these treatments! Turns out that this good tightening effect tends to disappears after around 4 months, and you realize that somehow you look even worth than how you looked before the heating device care. All because the face fat has been diminished!
*I'm so so glad I haven't had any of above mentioned treatments after my 40's. I remember doing some Radiofrequency many years ago, but happily not much.
TOO MUCH EXERCISE
Exercise - One of the best "drugs"on Earth for our seratonin, for our body, for our hormones, testosterone, skin and so on... However, we talk here about intense exercisers. The ones that run frequently more than 15km, or bike 40+km. The problem is, they get facial waisting! + normally, what happens when they run or bike for long distances? - they´re in the Sun! So its a double hit! They tend to look older in the face. You may say, but I put always sunscreen with SPF50! Well, this will protect against 50% of the sun during hour or two. The solution - cover yourself as much as you can and try to not run or bike for extremely long distances.
POOR NUTRITION
High process food, high sugars, very high carbohydrates; a poor diet can lead to malnutrition which can result in the loss of subcutaneous fat in your cheeks. Dehydration can also give your cheeks a hollow appearance. A lots of people can´t afford to eat organic, non-GMO and so on... But we should try our bests. Nutrition plays a big role here. Even if you think you eat well, there might be not enough REAL food, veggies, good fat and the right fruits. Bone broth, berries, nuts and seeds, foods that contain vitamin C, antioxidants and omega 3, and of course a good collagen powder (type I and III)- all these help preserve collagen or boost its production. Some supplements like krill oil, ceramides, silica, vitamins C and E, Aloe Vera and organic MCT oil also can be very helpful to maintain these youthful looking chubby cheeks.
*avoid yo-yo diets!
lack of skincare & massages
The good news is - Fat wants to grow back in our faces! Fat wants to regenerate! By applying daily our favorite moisturizer, we´re doing a big one here. Even better if it´s great high-organic moisturizer with some active ingredients.
And MASSAGE! to increase the blood flow and so improve the fat... So there´ll be the double-active skincare routine. Below sharing few moisturizers that-does-it-all, are suitable for all skin types and all formulas comes with active ingredients that will please every single one of you :)
*Btw, massage can be done while you cleanse your skin as well.
**Make sure you search for well-done face massages on some PRO contents.
MOISTURISERS TO LOVE:
- Dr SAM´s Flawless Moisturiser (save 10% site-wide) -
comes with niacinamide, it´s great option for
problematic skin -
- ARgENTUM apothecary ´la potion infinie*-
anti-aging, firming and super hydrating; moisturiser
with Silver Hydrasol and DNA HP that does-it-all-so-magically. Can be acne/breakout prone skins saviour -
-MZ SKIN Hydrate & Nourish (save 10% site-wide)-
comes with retinol, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and
SPF 30. Boosts collagen and deeply moisturises -
- IPSUM ALII Nourishing Adaptogen cream*-
my latest discovery to adore.
Ultra-hydrating, replenishing and stress-balancing,
j-beauty marvel where Japan ancient-time
herbal medicine system is together with modern science-
SHOP HERE (save 15% with DD15)
** all options above are suitable for all skin types
**all featured brands are clean without harmful toxins
**on some I make a small commission from your purchases
Environmental causes
Smoking, stress and pollution. All these produce free radicals which break down collagen and elastin, reducing the “Biological Velcro” that holds our tissues up and prevent gravitational descent. This is one of the reasons why face fat pads are getting shifted down with the time, so making us look more saggy. And we absolutely do not want that!!! So good detox diet here and there, or some everyday green tea or matcha always will be helpful.
Are you stressing?- try GABA supplement -
GOOD Treatments
Blood Draw
The vampire facial, also known as micro-needling with PRP, is a cosmetic procedure that involves drawing blood from your arm, separating platelets and applying them back onto your face. Platelet rich fibrin, no additives... It forms a fibrin clot and you get slow release of growth factors. Studies has shown, that this procedure has many benefits, including younger looking skin, and is only gaining in popularity. Works amazingly well as rejuvenating on fat pads, as the stem cells can grow whatever these platelet rich fibrins are around.
Sculptra
Sculptra® is a type of dermal filler, which is a cosmetic procedure to smooth fine lines and deep wrinkles. Sculptra is a gel-like substance made of poly-L-lactic acid. A healthcare provider will inject this filler underneath your skin where you want a fuller or smoother appearance. So it´s a great one to volumize and tighten the skin.
the takeaway
As you see, you have some things you should avoid and several options to prevent and increase the face fat.
During all the writing of this article and researches, I understood now why I´m having my cheeky face on almost 44 - I´m just doing it all right! I haven't yet done any of good treatments mentioned above, but already thinking to have some Blood Draw on my face for sure.
Hope you found this all interesting and helpful, and see you on my next article that´s coming soon.... or, I´ll always be happy to see you as my follower on Instagram :)
*Btw, don't forget to share this post with someone you know might appreciate to know about Facial Volume Loss!
//I am healthy anti-aging enthusiast, not a nutritionist nor dermatologist. Therefore, you might want to clarify some things with a specialist first, especially if you have a specific health or skin problem.
