Understanding the Complexities of an Aging Face
While the concept of your face “increasing in size” with age might sound unusual, the reality is that the adult face is not a static structure. Instead, it undergoes a complex, continuous process of change involving the bone, fat, muscle, and skin. A youthful face is often described as having an 'inverted triangle' shape, with full cheeks and a narrow jawline. As we age, this can reverse, creating a 'pyramid of age' where the lower face widens due to gravity, bone loss, and soft tissue changes.
The Role of Bone Remodeling
Contrary to previous beliefs, numerous studies have confirmed that the facial skeleton continues to change well into adulthood and old age. This is not the same as the rapid growth experienced during childhood but is rather a slower, lifelong process of bone remodeling. This process involves both bone deposition (formation) and resorption (loss).
- Midface changes: The midface, particularly the area around the maxilla, tends to recede with age due to bone resorption. This loss of bony support contributes to a flattening of the cheeks and a less projected midface.
- Orbital expansion: The eye sockets (orbits) tend to enlarge and expand with age, particularly in the superomedial and inferolateral regions. This contributes to a more sunken-eyed appearance as the eye and surrounding fat are less supported.
- Jawline and chin: Bone loss also occurs in the jawbone (mandible), leading to a less defined jawline and contributing to the formation of jowls. Conversely, in men, the mandible can experience an increase in width in the lower third. The chin can also protrude more prominently with age due to surrounding bone resorption.
Changes to Facial Soft Tissues
Changes to the facial skeleton are magnified by alterations in the overlying soft tissues, which include fat pads, muscles, and skin.
- Fat pad shifting and loss: The fat pads that provide youthful volume to the cheeks and temples don't just disappear; they also shift downward. This causes a deflation in the upper and mid-face, while creating heaviness and fullness in the lower face. Other fat pads, such as those in the jowl area, can hypertrophy, or increase in size.
- Collagen and elastin decline: The skin's elasticity and firmness depend on collagen and elastin, both of which decrease with age. This loss leads to sagging, wrinkles, and jowling, as the skin struggles to support itself against gravity.
- Muscular changes: The mimetic facial muscles, which are responsible for expressions, can also change. Repetitive contractions and decreased tone contribute to dynamic wrinkles and a sagging appearance.
Comparing Age-Related Facial Changes: Bone vs. Soft Tissue
| Feature | Bone Remodeling | Soft Tissue Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Continuous resorption and deposition of bone tissue, primarily driven by cellular activity. | Loss of collagen and elastin, shifting of facial fat pads, and weakening of muscles. |
| Effect on Face | Changes in skeletal dimensions, leading to subtle changes in projection and proportion. Example: Enlarged eye sockets, receding midface, and less defined jawline. | Sagging, wrinkling, and loss of volume due to gravitational pull and decreased tissue support. Example: Jowls, hollows under eyes, deeper nasolabial folds. |
| Rate of Change | Slow and gradual, occurring over decades. Can be influenced by hormonal factors, especially in women. | Can be more variable, influenced by environmental factors like sun exposure, diet, and lifestyle. |
| Clinical Manifestation | Often a foundational cause of more visible soft tissue changes. Provides underlying structural support.. | The more noticeable, superficial signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging skin. |
Conclusion: A Dynamic and Multifactorial Process
To the initial question, does your face size increase with age?, the answer is that the face doesn't simply grow larger but undergoes a profound and complex series of transformations. The overall shape can change, often appearing wider and more rectangular in the lower face as the 'triangle of youth' inverts. This is a result of a combination of bone resorption, gravitational shifts in soft tissues, fat redistribution, and declining skin elasticity. The changes are individual and can vary based on genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors like sun exposure. Understanding these underlying biological mechanisms can provide a more accurate and comprehensive perspective on the process of facial aging.
For more in-depth scientific literature on this topic, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has several studies on changes in the facial skeleton with aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
