It’s no secret that the rising obesity epidemic in America is contributing to diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, aches and pains, and certain cancers. So, when someone with an unhealthy BMI decides to embark on a weight loss journey, we have to congratulate them for taking their health into their own hands. But, what few of us realize is that when we shed the unwanted pounds, it can have a negative effect on our face.
Suppose “Anne” is a 38-year-old mother of three, a size 12 and 40 pounds overweight. Over the course of two years, Anne drops 40 pounds and goes from a size 12 down to a size 4 – the size she was on her wedding day.
Anne “feels” incredible. She eats clean, works out daily, drinks loads of water every day, and has the energy levels of a 20-year-old. However, there’s one problem: All of a sudden, her kids and friends are telling her, “Your body looks great, but you look like you aged 10 years. Your face is too thin, what happened?” Suddenly, Anne’s heart sinks.
Why Fat Loss in the Face Ages People
Not everyone realizes it, but when people lose a significant amount of weight, especially in the face, it can make them look older. Why is this? It’s because fat in the face gives the appearance of more volume, which makes the face look fuller and more youthful.
When someone loses weight in the face, it makes them lose volume, which in effect can make them look older. Cheeks appear hollower, the person can look as if they have dark circles, and marionette lines (lines around the mouth) become more pronounced, and the facial skin appears droopier – significant fat loss in the face is not always pretty.
Looking at the big picture, it’s healthier to go from overweight or obese to a healthy BMI. So, it’s healthier overall to lose weight and look older than to be overweight and look younger in the face. Unfortunately, weight loss, especially when it shows up in the face, does accelerate the aging process. And, if you’re in your late thirties, early forties or beyond, this may be more pronounced than if you were in your twenties.
What Can Be Done About Facial Fat Loss
Every day, we work with patients who are combatting aging because they are living active and healthy lifestyles that as a byproduct, make their faces look older. To counteract the deflation that occurs in the face from weight loss, or from simply being “thin” and over 35, there are two solutions that work very well, specifically filler injections, such as Juvéderm, Juvéderm Voluma, Sculptra, Perlane, Radiesse, and Restylane, and fat injections, which comes from the patient’s own body.
Next: Lifestyle Tips to Delay Aging
If you are interested in restoring youthful fullness back to your face after weight loss, or from having a “normal” BMI, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation with our Westlake Village Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Yuly Gorodisky.