Faces
age due to fat loss, skin changes - not gravity;
Study presented at
American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual meeting
PHILADELPHIA, Oct.
12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- To the surprise of many people, the loss of fat
and sun exposure play a bigger role than gravity in aging the face,
according to a study presented today at the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2004 conference in Philadelphia.
"People make assumptions about how the
face ages because when they pull up on their facial skin, they look
better," said Val Lambros, MD, ASPS member and author of the study.
"Actually the pull of gravity on facial tissues is not a significant
component of facial aging. Instead, other factors, like the loss of
facial fat and sun damage are more contributory in the complex process
of aging."
In addition, the nature of facial skin
changes over time becoming thinner, most notably around the eyelids.
These changes are often accelerated by sun exposure, which damages the
skin.
"Plastic surgeons rejuvenate the aging
face by pulling up and tightening the tissue, but treatment also
requires a balance between tightening tissue and replacing loss facial
fat with wrinkle fillers," said Dr. Lambros. "The key is knowing how
much of each to do."
For referrals to plastic surgeons
certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and to learn more
about reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, call the ASPS at
888-4-PLASTIC (888-475-2784) or visit
http://www.plasticsurgery.org.
ASPS is the largest organization of
board-certified plastic surgeons in the world and the foremost authority
on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. With nearly 5,000
members, more than any other plastic surgery organization, ASPS is the
definitive voice of the plastic surgery specialty. Viewed throughout the
world as the pinnacle of information for new techniques, advances and
plastic surgery trends, the society represents 94 percent of all the
board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S. Ninety-four percent of all
ASPS members perform cosmetic plastic surgery and 89 percent of all ASPS
members perform reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS, founded in 1931,
represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery
or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
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