Do faces get longer as you age? The surprising science behind facial aging

A study in Nature revealed that older people tend to have faces that appear both wider and longer than their younger counterparts.

So, do faces get longer as you age? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, involving a cascade of changes in the facial skeleton, fat, muscle, and skin that alter overall facial dimensions.

Quick Summary

The perception of a longer face with age stems from a combination of bone resorption, downward migration of fat pads, and reduced skin elasticity. It is not caused by the continuous growth of the facial skeleton but rather by the shifting and shrinking of underlying structures. This process leads to a loss of volume in the midface and a pooling of tissue in the lower face, creating the visual illusion of elongation.

Key Points

• Bone Resorption is Key: Age-related changes in the facial skeleton, such as bone loss around the eyes and jaw, are a major factor contributing to the appearance of a longer face.

• Fat Pads Shift Downwards: Youthful fat pads that provide facial volume shrink and migrate downwards with age, leading to a flattening of the cheeks and the formation of jowls.

• Loss of Skin Elasticity: The decrease in collagen and elastin production causes skin to sag, which contributes to the elongated and droopy appearance of the lower face.

• Nose and Ears Continue to Grow: While most of the face changes due to shrinkage and sagging, the cartilage in the nose and ears continues to grow throughout life, adding to altered facial proportions.

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

• Perception vs. Reality: The feeling that your face is getting longer is an illusion caused by the downward shifting of soft tissues over a less supportive bone structure, not true skeletal lengthening.

The Core Components of Facial Aging

Facial aging is a multifaceted process that goes far beyond surface-level wrinkles. To understand why a face might appear to lengthen with age, one must look beneath the skin at the complex interplay of bone, muscle, and soft tissue. These changes occur gradually over decades and are influenced by both genetics and lifestyle factors.

The Role of Facial Bone Resorption

One of the most significant yet least-understood aspects of facial aging is bone resorption. Unlike the growth spurts of youth, the bones of the face begin to lose mass over time. This happens in specific, predictable patterns:

• Eye Sockets: The eye sockets (orbits) become larger and more cavernous, which contributes to the hollowed-out appearance under the eyes.
• Midface: The bones of the midface, particularly the cheekbones (zygoma), flatten and recede. This loss of structural support is a primary cause of sagging in the cheeks.
• Lower Jaw: The jawbone (mandible) loses volume and height, especially at the chin and the angle of the jaw. This can contribute to a less defined jawline and the appearance of jowls.
• Nasal Bone: The nasal aperture, the bony opening for the nose, widens. Simultaneously, the cartilage in the nose continues to grow, causing the tip to droop. Together, these changes affect the nose's overall shape and projection.

The Downward Migration of Fat Pads

Subcutaneous fat gives the face its youthful, rounded contours. However, with age, these fat pads begin to shrink and descend due to gravity and the loss of supporting ligaments. This shift creates distinct aging hallmarks:

• The loss of volume in the cheeks leads to a flattened midface and the formation of nasolabial folds, the lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
• Fat from the cheeks can migrate downwards, accumulating around the jawline and creating jowls.
• Fat loss around the eyes can cause a hollowed or sunken look, accentuating the bony eye sockets.

Changes in Skin and Soft Tissue

The skin itself is a key player in how a face ages. Over time, the production of collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for skin's firmness and elasticity, decreases. This process, known as elastosis, makes the skin thinner, less resilient, and more prone to sagging and wrinkling. In the lower face, this loss of elasticity, combined with the downward pull of gravity on the sagging fat pads, can lead to the appearance of a longer, droopier facial profile.

The Impact of Lifestyle Factors

While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices can accelerate or mitigate the effects of facial aging.

• Sun Exposure: UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin, causing premature aging. This can lead to more pronounced sagging and wrinkles.
• Smoking: Tobacco smoke constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin and depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. This can significantly accelerate skin aging.
• Diet and Hydration: A diet rich in antioxidants and proper hydration can support skin health. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods can contribute to inflammation that harms the skin.
• Facial Expressions: Repetitive muscle contractions from expressions like smiling or frowning can lead to the formation of deeper wrinkles over time.

Younger vs. Older Face: A Comparison

Feature	Youthful Face	Aging Face
Face Shape	Fuller, heart-shaped or oval with rounded contours.	Thinner, more rectangular or elongated appearance.
Cheeks	High and prominent with abundant volume.	Flattened and hollowed due to fat pad migration.
Jawline	Sharp and defined angle.	Less defined, with the appearance of jowls.
Eyes	Framed by full, smooth undereye area.	Hollowed-out sockets, more prominent tear troughs.
Skin Tone	Firm, resilient, and elastic.	Thinner, more lax, and prone to sagging.
Nose	Shorter with an upturned tip.	Longer, with a drooping nasal tip due to cartilage changes.

Mitigation and Treatment Options

Several approaches can help manage the visual effects of facial aging. Non-surgical options include topical skincare containing retinoids to boost collagen production, dermal fillers to restore lost volume, and laser treatments to improve skin texture and firmness.

For more significant changes, surgical interventions like a facelift can lift sagging skin and re-drape facial tissue. However, surgical and non-surgical procedures often address only the soft tissue components. A truly comprehensive approach must consider the foundational bone structure that is also changing with age.

For further reading on the comprehensive science of facial changes, you can explore peer-reviewed research on the topic. For example, the National Institutes of Health provides extensive resources on the physiological aspects of aging: National Institute on Aging.

Conclusion: Understanding the Full Picture

While it may seem that your face is physically getting longer, the reality is a much more intricate biological process. The visible changes—jowls, flattened cheeks, and a droopier nose—are not due to literal bone lengthening, but rather to the combined effect of bone resorption, fat migration, and the loss of skin elasticity. By understanding these underlying mechanisms, individuals can make informed decisions about skin care and lifestyle, embracing the natural process of aging while also taking steps to maintain a youthful appearance. The journey of facial aging is a story of layers, with each component playing a crucial role in the final visual outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the facial skeleton actually grow longer with age?

No, the facial skeleton does not grow longer. In fact, studies show that bone resorption, or loss of bone mass, occurs in specific areas of the face over time, which paradoxically contributes to the appearance of a longer, thinner face due to a lack of underlying support.

Why do my cheeks look less full as I get older?

The loss of fullness in your cheeks is primarily due to the natural descent and shrinking of the subcutaneous fat pads. These pads, which give the midface its youthful volume, are pulled down by gravity, causing the cheeks to flatten and contributing to nasolabial folds.

Can proper skin care prevent my face from looking longer?

While skin care can't stop the underlying bone or fat changes, a good regimen can help. Using products with ingredients like retinoids and antioxidants can improve skin elasticity and promote collagen production, which helps reduce the appearance of sagging and wrinkles.

Does losing weight make my face look longer?

Yes, significant weight loss can make your face appear longer and more gaunt. This is because weight loss includes the reduction of fat pads in the face, which can accentuate underlying bone structure and skin laxity that may already be occurring with age.

What is the biggest factor that makes a face look aged?

There is no single factor, as it is a combination of many. However, the most profound changes occur from the deep structural shifts, including bone resorption and the downward migration of fat pads, which alter the fundamental shape and contours of the face.

Do male and female faces age differently?

While the underlying processes are similar, the trajectory of aging can differ. For instance, some research suggests that bone changes in the jaw can be more pronounced in postmenopausal women. However, both sexes experience bone resorption, fat migration, and loss of elasticity that change facial proportions.

Can sun exposure contribute to a longer-looking face?

Yes. Chronic sun exposure breaks down the collagen and elastin in your skin, accelerating the process of sagging and elastosis. This increased laxity of the skin allows gravity to have a greater effect on the facial tissue, contributing to a more elongated, droopy appearance.