Ageing. What is it?
It is a lack of inner energy that shows itself through muscle spasms (blocks), bone deformations and uneven movement of the body's fluids (blood, lymph). When muscles are in spasm, the body's fluids are retained in certain areas, and these areas become blocks. Where fluids stagnate, bacteria and viruses multiply, inflammatory processes begin and disease develops. When some areas of the body have an excess or retention of fluid, others become deficient. Dehydration then sets in, and the internal organs and tissues dry out.
Why do we age?
This question has still not been fully answered. Based on a great deal of research, there are several main theories. One explanation of ageing involves telomeres – short, repeating DNA sequences. As the body ages, these sequences shorten. However, these regions are constantly renewed. For as long as the body has enough strength and inner energy, it stays young. Only one theory has been scientifically proven – old age is not built into nature: no animal dies of old age; only humans and the domestic animals we look after suffer from this "disease". Old age is a gift of civilisation.
When do we start to age?
The body begins to age much earlier than the mirror shows. Biological ageing of the tissues starts at around 25, but it does not necessarily coincide with physical ageing, which is closely linked to injuries. Nor does outward ageing always coincide with inner ageing. A woman or man of 50 may look young "for their age", and conversely, many 30-year-olds look considerably older. There are theories that try to set out the ages at which our organs begin to age. For example, to keep skin healthy and beautiful, it needs care from as early as 18, because from this age the collagen that gives it its radiance begins to decline. Lung function starts to weaken at around 30. That is why at this age it is especially important to give up harmful habits and exercise. The bones also begin to weaken at around the same age, although in women this process speeds up markedly after the menopause, at around 60. Birth injuries also play an important role in the ageing process.
Do men and women age differently?
The ageing processes of men and women differ somewhat. As we age, the whole structure of the body changes. From an aesthetic point of view, men are luckier: their skin is thicker. A stronger musculoskeletal system helps the body maintain active circulation. Men also engage in physical activity more often than women. For these reasons, fluid accumulations in the face form less often in men.
What aesthetic changes occur with age?
The ageing process is associated with wrinkles appearing on the face and changes in skin structure. Wrinkles form when the muscles of facial expression go into spasm. Nowadays, however, many young people have wrinkles too, so they are not a reflection of age. Nor does every young person enjoy smooth skin.
We "judge" a person's age by changes in facial proportions. These, too, are determined by muscle spasms. The main signs that "give away" a person's age are a changed facial contour and the loss of the natural physiological curve of the neck.
As we age, our facial muscles shorten, so the contours of the face lose their appeal. The skin also stretches, making the loss of facial volume even more noticeable. Volume loss shows first in the cheeks, cheekbones, corners of the mouth and around the nose. A changed facial contour and hollow cheeks, together with wrinkles, reveal a person's age and sometimes add even more years. Over time, neither make-up nor a hairstyle can hide these imperfections.
Types of facial ageing.
With age, the lower part of the face changes. The main muscles responsible for excess skin and the loss of the "youthful" angle are the depressor anguli oris (the muscle that lowers the corner of the mouth), the buccinator and the masseter.
Depending on how the masticatory muscles deform, two main types of facial ageing are distinguished.
In the first biomechanical type of facial ageing, the "youthful" angle is lost, so-called jowls form and the lower face sags. This type of ageing is marked by a masseter in spasm (the muscle attaches to the lower jaw). The masseter shifts upwards towards the nose, pulling the lower jaw with it. The face begins to lengthen and the chin drops. The excess skin also falls downwards, creating folds running down from the corners of the mouth and sagging of the lower face. The face looks tired. This type of ageing is more common and affects about 80–85% of people.
In the second biomechanical type of facial ageing, the "youthful" angle is also lost, but the opposite process takes place – the masseter stretches and pushes the lower jaw forwards and upwards. In this case, sagging of the lower face is less pronounced and often absent altogether, but the orbicularis oris (the ring-shaped muscle around the mouth) goes into strong spasm, which shows as thin lips, wrinkles around them and a chin that curves upwards.
The other two muscles mentioned (the depressor anguli oris and the buccinator) also go into spasm and shorten, causing the skin at the corners of the mouth to droop.
What determines how quickly we age?
One of the most important factors determining how quickly we age is psycho-emotional. Under stress we tense up, so the muscles of our body and face tense too and corresponding facial expressions appear. If stressful situations recur often, our body "gets used to" constant tension and it becomes our everyday, habitual state. Once that happens, it is no longer possible to control our facial expressions. In the face, the masticatory muscles bear the greatest tension, and their deformations are what change the facial contour.
Lifestyle is another very important factor. People with sedentary jobs experience far greater muscle tension than those who move actively. This is closely linked to the ageing process. Smoking, diet and changes in our inner state also accelerate ageing.
How can we help ourselves fight the ageing process?
We cannot stop the ageing process, but we certainly can slow it down or make it less noticeable – and not necessarily with plastic surgery. To achieve results, it is important to understand that beauty and health are closely connected. The simplest and most effective approach is to release muscle spasms inside and outside the body. For example, if you want to get rid of a pronounced expression line, you need to work on the muscle that created it. Correct posture is very important for the health and beauty of the face, so it is important to balance the muscles around the spine (in the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions). The cervical spine is the face's "bridge" to the body. To have a beautiful, healthy face, we especially need to correct the tone of the neck muscles, which increases with age. It is no coincidence that during FaceMyo treatments we also work on the neck and collar area.