Do faces get bigger with age? The scientific truth behind facial changes

While it may seem that a person's face grows larger or wider with age, studies show that facial bones actually undergo complex remodeling and resorption, not uniform growth. This article delves into the multi-layered biological processes that cause your face to appear to change size and shape over time, addressing the common question: do faces get bigger with age?

Quick Summary

Changes in facial appearance with age are primarily due to bone remodeling and the redistribution of soft tissues, not uniform growth, resulting in shifts in facial proportions and a heavier lower face.

Key Points

• Bone Remodeling is Key: Facial bones, particularly the midface and jaw, lose mass and remodel with age, changing the face's underlying structure, not uniformly growing it larger.

• Fat Redistribution, Not Growth: The appearance of a 'bigger' or heavier face in the lower half is caused by fat pads shifting downward and thinning in the upper face.

• Collagen and Elastin Decline: Skin's natural reduction in collagen and elastin leads to sagging, wrinkles, and less defined contours, contributing to a change in overall facial shape.

• The 'Triangle of Youth' Inverts: The youthful face shape, wider at the top, reverses into a 'pyramid,' wider at the jawline, as facial volume migrates.

• Lifestyle Impact: Factors like sun exposure, smoking, diet, and hydration can significantly accelerate the visible signs of facial aging and structural changes.

• Targeted Treatments Exist: For those concerned, a range of cosmetic treatments, from skincare to fillers and peels, can help manage age-related facial changes.

The Myth vs. The Biological Reality

Many people notice their facial features changing as they get older and assume their face is simply growing or expanding. While a child's face grows significantly, and some facial width may continue to increase in early adulthood, the changes we observe later in life are not the result of uniform, outward growth. Instead, they are the product of intricate biological processes affecting the skin, soft tissues, and underlying skeletal structure. Understanding these components is key to grasping the truth behind aging facial aesthetics.

Facial Skeleton: A Dynamic, Remodeling Foundation

Contrary to the static view of bones, the facial skeleton is a dynamic structure that continuously remodels throughout life. This remodeling process, which involves both bone resorption (loss) and deposition (growth), changes the facial framework and significantly impacts our appearance. For instance, the eye sockets tend to enlarge with age, while the midface and jaw areas can experience bone loss. This loss of underlying support is a major contributor to the visible signs of aging.

Bone Resorption vs. Bone Deposition

Changes in the facial skeleton occur unevenly. In older age, bone resorption tends to outpace bone deposition in many areas, weakening the supportive framework of the face.

• Orbital Aperture Enlargement: The eye sockets increase in both size and width, a result of bone resorption along the orbital rims. This can contribute to a sunken or hollowed-out appearance around the eyes.
• Midface Retrusion: The maxilla, or midface bone, loses volume and recedes. This reduced support can deepen the nasolabial folds and contribute to the downward displacement of soft tissues.
• Mandibular Changes: Bone loss in the jawline and chin area, particularly the prejowl region, can lead to a less defined jawline, a reduced chin projection, and the appearance of jowls.

The Inverting 'Triangle of Youth'

The shifting facial proportions with age are often visualized as the inversion of the "triangle of youth". A youthful face is characterized by a heart-like shape, with fullness in the cheeks and a well-defined jawline. As aging progresses, the loss of bone and soft tissue volume in the upper and mid-face, coupled with fat redistribution and skin laxity in the lower face, causes this triangle to invert. The lower face appears heavier and wider, while the upper face loses its fullness and contour.

The Role of Soft Tissue Redistribution

Beneath the skin, the facial muscles and fat pads also undergo significant changes. These soft tissues are crucial for facial volume and contour, and their age-related shifts are a primary reason for the alterations in facial shape.

Fat Pads and Gravitational Pull

As we age, the fat pads that provide a youthful volume to the cheeks and temples begin to thin, clump up, and shift downward. Gravity exacerbates this downward movement, causing the migrated fat to accumulate in the lower parts of the face, such as around the chin and jawline. This migration of volume from the cheeks to the lower face contributes to the appearance of a wider, heavier lower third.

Muscle and Ligament Laxity

Facial muscles lose some of their tone over time, and the ligaments that hold facial tissues in place become weaker and stretch. This laxity allows the soft tissues to descend, contributing to sagging, jowls, and a loss of jawline definition.

The Epidermis: The Face's 'Envelope'

The skin is the outermost layer, and its changes are the most visible signs of aging. The natural breakdown of collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for skin's firmness and elasticity, is a major factor.

• Collagen and Elastin Decline: Starting in our 20s, collagen production decreases, leading to thinner, more fragile skin. By our 40s, we can lose a significant percentage, resulting in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.
• Skin Laxity: As the skin loses its elasticity, it becomes less able to support the underlying structures. This contributes to drooping, particularly around the jawline and neck.

External and Lifestyle Influences on Facial Aging

While genetics play a significant role, many external and lifestyle factors can influence the rate and degree of facial aging.

1. Sun Exposure: Up to 90% of visible skin changes are caused by sun damage, or photoaging, which breaks down collagen and elastin.
2. Smoking: The chemicals in cigarette smoke accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to premature wrinkling and skin aging.
3. Hydration and Diet: Proper hydration is essential for skin elasticity and plumpness. A diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins can help protect the skin from damage.
4. Hormonal Changes: Shifts in hormone levels, especially in women during and after menopause, can lead to decreased collagen and thinner skin.

Comparison: Youthful Face vs. Aging Face

Feature	Youthful Face	Aging Face
Overall Shape	Heart or 'triangle of youth', widest at the cheeks.	Pyramid or trapezoid, wider at the jawline.
Cheeks	Full, round, with high projection.	Flatter, hollowed, with fat migrating downward.
Jawline	Taut, defined, and sharp.	Less defined, with jowls forming.
Eye Sockets	Smaller orbital aperture, with adequate soft tissue support.	Enlarged aperture due to bone resorption, leading to a hollowed look.
Skin	Thicker, firm, and elastic, with high collagen levels.	Thinner, less elastic, with increased wrinkles and laxity.
Volume Distribution	Even and balanced, with defined contours.	Shifted downward, creating deeper folds and heaviness in the lower face.

How to Address Age-Related Facial Changes

While aging is inevitable, there are proactive steps and treatments to help manage and mitigate the visible changes. These can range from simple daily habits to professional medical procedures.

Skincare and At-Home Practices

Protecting and nourishing your skin is the first line of defense. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) is crucial for preventing photoaging. A consistent skincare routine should include hydrating moisturizers, antioxidants like vitamin C, and retinoids to stimulate collagen production.

Medical and Cosmetic Treatments

For more noticeable changes, several treatments can help restore a more youthful appearance.

• Dermal Fillers: Can be used to restore volume loss in cheeks, temples, and under the eyes, addressing the effects of bone loss and fat redistribution.
• Microneedling: Uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries, stimulating the skin's collagen production to improve texture and reduce fine lines.
• Chemical Peels: Help to remove the top layer of damaged skin, revealing smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin beneath.
• Botox/Dysport: Relax the muscles responsible for expression lines, preventing them from deepening over time.

Conclusion

So, do faces get bigger with age? The simple answer is no. The changes you observe are not from overall growth but from the complex, multi-layered effects of bone remodeling, soft tissue redistribution, and skin laxity. As the underlying scaffolding of your face changes, so does its outer appearance. Understanding these biological realities allows for a more informed and strategic approach to healthy aging and skincare.

For a deeper dive into the specific bone changes that occur with age, an authoritative resource can be found at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) | Changes in the Facial Skeleton With Aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do faces get bigger with age?

No, faces do not get bigger with age in a uniform way. The perception of a larger or wider face is actually the result of complex changes, including bone remodeling, soft tissue migration, and skin laxity.

Why does my face seem to be wider as I get older?

This can happen due to a few factors. The bone in your midface can resorb (or decrease), while fat pads in the upper face thin and migrate downward. This volume shift to the lower face can create a wider, heavier appearance around the jawline.

What role does bone loss play in facial aging?

Facial bone loss, particularly in the jaw and midface, reduces the underlying support for the facial tissues. This loss of skeletal framework contributes to sagging skin, deeper wrinkles, and a less defined jawline.

Does fat loss or gain affect the size of the face?

Yes, but not as simply as you might think. While generalized fat gain can enlarge the face, age-related changes involve redistribution and loss of specific fat pads, causing volume to shift from the cheeks to the lower face, rather than uniform expansion.

How does collagen loss change my facial appearance?

Collagen is the protein that provides skin with its structure and firmness. As we lose collagen with age, the skin becomes thinner and less elastic, leading to sagging, wrinkles, and the loss of youthful contours. This also makes the face more vulnerable to gravity's effects.

Are facial aging changes different for men and women?

Yes, some differences exist due to hormone levels and bone structure. For example, some studies suggest men's facial size might increase until around age 30 and then slightly decrease later in life, while women's changes follow a different timeline and pattern of bone resorption, particularly after menopause.

Can lifestyle choices influence how my face ages?

Absolutely. Factors like sun exposure, smoking, dehydration, poor diet, and lack of sleep can all accelerate the aging process. Protecting your skin from the sun, staying hydrated, and eating a nutritious diet can help maintain a more youthful appearance over time.