According to double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Thousand Oaks, CA, Dr. Kristina Tansavatdi, facial aging is a complex, multi-layered process that impacts every structural element beneath the skin. As a facelift specialist, Dr. Tansavatdi has a unique perspective on how the face changes with time—insights gained directly from what she sees in surgery. Understanding these changes is key to choosing the right treatments to restore youthful balance and vibrancy.
The Four Layers of Facial Aging
Dr. Tansavatdi notes that the face is made up of four main layers—skin, fat, muscle, and bone—and each one ages at its own pace.
Skin
Aging begins at the surface. As collagen production decreases over time, the skin becomes thinner and less elastic. Repeated muscle movements beneath the surface create fine lines that eventually deepen into static wrinkles. Collagen loss is the primary reason these lines become permanent.
Fat
Beneath the skin, the fat layer begins to shrink and shift with age, resulting in hollowed cheeks and sagging. Dr. Tansavatdi notes that fat is held in place by fibrous septa—tiny collagen-based structures that loosen over time. The combination of volume loss and weakened support leads to noticeable facial deflation and drooping.
Muscle
The facial muscles themselves also change with age. They become laxer and begin to descend, contributing to jowling and loss of jawline definition. The fascia surrounding these muscles—a connective tissue made of collagen—thins as well, providing less structural support over time.
Bone
At the deepest layer, facial bones undergo resorption, much like the process seen in osteoporosis. This loss of bone density affects the overall scaffolding of the face, allowing everything above it to sag further. While bone changes can't be reversed, addressing the overlying soft tissues can help restore facial harmony.
Why Collagen Matters
Throughout the aging process, collagen plays a recurring role. Dr. Tansavatdi emphasizes that collagen loss affects nearly every layer of the face except bone. Whether it’s in the skin, the fat layer’s fibrous network, or the fascia around muscles, declining collagen leads to visible signs of aging. That’s why many advanced facial rejuvenation treatments—from laser resurfacing to fat transfer and facelift surgery—focus on rebuilding or repositioning collagen-rich tissues.
Facial aging is not caused by a single factor, but rather by gradual changes in every foundational layer. Dr. Tansavatdi’s surgical expertise offers a rare look into how these changes occur—and how they can be reversed through personalized, multi-layered treatment plans. To explore more about facial aging or learn whether facelift surgery is the right solution, patients are encouraged to watch Dr. Tansavatdi’s educational videos or schedule a consultation at her Westlake Village practice.