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question

Why do facial bones become more visible with age?

Donna Hill Howes, RN
Donna Hill Howes, RN
Family Practitioner
answer

As you age, your skin becomes thinner and more transparent. Also, your skin can lose some if its natural underlying fat, called cutaneous fat. The fat pads in the cheeks (the malar pads) slide down and forward. This descent and loss of fat in the face can make your facial bones more visible. Retaining ligaments in the face lose their strength, causing tissue to descend. At the same time, natural bone loss can cause bones to shrink away from the skin, which causes sagging. This all leads to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets, along with noticeable sagging of skin on your hands and neck.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.