Skin Ageing
How the skin, fat, muscle and bone of the face change over time, and the approaches a doctor may discuss with you.
- Registered medical practitioner
- Standardised 3D imaging
- A written, personalised plan
What is skin ageing?
Ageing is a normal biological process that affects every layer of the face. It happens in the skin, the fat pads beneath it, the facial muscles and the underlying bone.
Skin gradually becomes thinner and less elastic as collagen and elastin decline. Fat pads can lose volume or shift position, and the facial bones slowly recede.
Together these changes shape how a face looks and moves. Dr Marie-Claire's anatomical background informs how she assesses the whole face rather than a single feature.
What causes the face to age?
Ageing has an intrinsic part, which is genetic and time-related, and an extrinsic part, which comes from what the skin is exposed to.
Collagen and elastin decline
These fibres give skin firmness and recoil. Their natural production slows with age, so skin can thin and lose some elasticity.
Fat pad changes
Fat beneath the skin supports facial shape. Over time it can lose volume or move downward, changing contours around the cheeks and eyes.
Muscle activity
Facial muscles move the skin thousands of times a day. Repeated movement over many years contributes to the creases people see at rest.
Bone remodelling
The facial skeleton changes gradually, and bone can recede with age. This alters the support the soft tissues sit on.
Sun, smoking and pollution
Ultraviolet light, tobacco smoke and air pollution speed up the breakdown of collagen. This is called extrinsic ageing and it is partly modifiable.
Factors that influence how skin ages
Some influences can be changed and some cannot, and a consultation helps identify which apply to you.
- Cumulative, unprotected sun exposure
- Smoking, now or in the past
- Air pollution and other environmental exposure
- Genetics and family patterns of ageing
- Skin type and natural pigmentation
- Sleep, nutrition and general health
Common changes seen with ageing
Ageing does not look the same for everyone, and most people notice more than one of these changes.
Fine lines and creases
Lines that form where skin folds with expression, and finer surface lines that reflect thinner skin.
Changes in volume and contour
Shifts in fat and bone that alter the shape of the cheeks, temples, jawline and under-eye area.
Laxity
Reduced skin elasticity, which can show as looser skin along the jawline, neck and cheeks.
Pigmentation and vascular change
Sun spots, uneven colour and small visible blood vessels, which often reflect accumulated sun exposure.
Texture change
Roughness, enlarged pores, dullness and crepiness, as the skin surface renews itself more slowly.
How is skin ageing assessed and managed?
Dr Marie-Claire starts with a consultation to understand your face, your history and what matters to you. Many people simply want to look rested and like themselves, and plans are built around that. Individual results vary.
Assessment and planning
A full-face assessment looks at skin, volume, structure and movement together. It allows options, risks and alternatives to be discussed before any plan is made.
Discover moreSkin health and sun protection
Daily sun protection and a routine suited to your skin type may help support skin over time. This is the foundation of most plans.
Discover moreEnergy-based treatments
Laser resurfacing, such as UltraClear, can be considered for some texture and surface changes. It is designed to create microscopic channels in the skin.
Discover moreInjectable treatments
Injectable treatments are discussed in consultation where appropriate. Whether they are suitable depends on your anatomy, history and goals.
Discover moreFrequently asked questions
At what age does the face start to change?
Changes begin gradually in adulthood, and the timing differs from person to person. Genetics, sun exposure, smoking and general health all influence how quickly skin changes. Bone and fat pad changes are usually subtler and develop over many years. A consultation can help you understand what is normal for your age and skin.
Does ageing only affect the skin?
No. Ageing affects the skin, the fat pads beneath it, the facial muscles and the bone. Changes in the deeper layers also influence how the skin sits and looks. This is why Dr Marie-Claire assesses the whole face, rather than focusing on one line or one area.
Do the neck, décolletage and hands age too?
Yes. These areas often show sun exposure and thinning skin, and they are sometimes overlooked. Dr Marie-Claire's scope includes the face, neck, décolletage and hands, and she can discuss care for each area at your consultation.
Can sun protection make a difference?
Daily sun protection may help limit further sun-related change, because ultraviolet light is a major contributor to extrinsic ageing. It does not reverse existing change. Dr Marie-Claire can advise on a routine that suits your skin. Individual results vary and no outcome is guaranteed.
Where can I have my skin assessed in Melbourne?
Dr Marie-Claire offers the Aesthetic Assessment at her St Kilda studio, by appointment. It is a private consultation covering your concerns, medical history and options. Risks, alternatives and costs are discussed before you decide whether to proceed.
Treatments that may be considered
Every plan starts with an assessment. Individual results vary.
UltraClear laser
A fractional fibre laser that may be considered for skin texture, pigmentation and scarring after assessment at a St Kilda consultation.
Discover more
Facial enhancements
Consultations on reducing the appearance of lines and changes in facial volume, planned from an in-person assessment in St Kilda.
Discover more
Skin health
A tailored daily skincare regimen and sun protection plan, based on an assessment of your skin in St Kilda.
Discover more
The Aesthetic Assessment
A full assessment and a written, staged plan built around your anatomy and your goals.
Discover moreRelated conditions
Important information
All medical and aesthetic procedures carry risk. Suitability, risks, recovery and expected outcomes are discussed in a private consultation with Dr Marie-Claire before any treatment is planned. Consultations are not available to anyone under 18. Individual results vary and no outcome is guaranteed.
Treatment is planned only after a full consultation, and options are discussed after assessment, only where clinically appropriate.
Start with a consultation.
Dr Marie-Claire will assess your skin, talk through your options and explain the risks before any treatment is planned.