Facial ageing is a natural process, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take control of it. By understanding the factors that contribute to visible signs of ageing and the treatments that target them, you can make informed decisions that support your skin long-term. At The Face Lab, I help clients across Chatteris, Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon and Peterborough tackle the root causes of ageing with science-backed, tailored solutions.
Intrinsic Ageing: The Clock Ticks On
Intrinsic ageing is your skin’s built-in biological timeline. It’s driven by genetics and internal processes like reduced collagen production, slower cell turnover, and declining skin hydration.
What happens:
- Collagen and elastin levels drop
- Skin becomes thinner and less elastic
- Hyaluronic acid levels decrease, leading to dryness
- Wrinkles begin to form at rest (static lines)
Treatments that help:
- Dermal Fillers: Restore structure and lost volume
- Skin Boosters: Deep hydration to improve elasticity
- Polynucleotides: Long-term regeneration and collagen stimulation
Extrinsic Ageing: Lifestyle & Environmental Damage
Extrinsic ageing is caused by external factors like sun exposure, pollution, smoking, and poor skincare habits. These speed up skin damage and make ageing signs appear earlier and more severe.
What accelerates ageing:
- UV radiation (photoageing)
- Smoking and alcohol
- Poor diet and hydration
- Lack of SPF use
- Air pollution
What works:
- Chemical Peels: Improve skin tone and texture
- Microneedling: Encourage renewal and treat scarring
- Antioxidant-rich Skincare: Protect against oxidative stress
- Lifestyle improvements: sleep, SPF, hydration, nutrition
Dynamic Wrinkles: Expression Lines
These are the lines caused by repetitive facial movement—frowning, squinting, smiling. They tend to form on the forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and between the eyebrows (glabella).
Treatments that work:
- Anti-Wrinkle Injections: Relax targeted muscles to smooth and prevent lines
- Skin Boosters: Improve skin resilience and hydration
- Preventative Care: Early treatment reduces long-term wrinkle formation
Volume Loss & Facial Contour Changes
With age, fat pads in the cheeks and temples shrink and descend. This creates a hollowed look and contributes to sagging and jowls. Bone density also reduces with age, altering facial structure.
What helps:
- Cheek Fillers: Restore midface lift and contour
- Jawline Contouring: Define lower face and reduce jowling
- Lip Enhancement: Reintroduce volume lost in lips and perioral area
Skin Texture, Tone & Elasticity
Thinning skin, enlarged pores, and a rough or dull surface are common with age. These result from decreased cell turnover, environmental exposure, and reduced moisture retention.
Treatment options:
- Microneedling: Stimulate collagen and refine skin texture
- Skin Boosters: Add hydration and improve tone
- Polynucleotides: Regenerate skin from the inside out
Personalised Anti-Ageing Treatment Plan
- Assess your baseline
During your consultation, I analyse your skin, structure, and concerns. - Target short-term and long-term goals
Quick wins like wrinkle injections can be paired with regenerative treatments for lasting results. - Maintain consistently
Schedule seasonal or 6-month reviews to keep your plan current and your skin thriving.
FAQs
What’s the best age to start anti-ageing treatments?
You can start as early as your late 20s for prevention, but there’s no wrong age to begin. It’s about skin condition, not age alone.
Can I combine treatments?
Yes. Combining injectables with boosters or skincare yields stronger, more natural-looking results.
Is ageing reversible?
No, but it can absolutely be slowed, softened, and managed in a natural-looking way.
Will it look obvious?
Not when done properly. My goal is always subtle, refreshed, natural results—never overdone.
