Sagging or wrinkled skin occurs naturally, as you get older. Folds and fat deposits appear around the neck. Deep creases form between the nose and mouth. The jaw line grows “jowly” and slack.
Genes, poor diet, smoking, or obesity can make skin problems start sooner or get worse faster.
Aging of the face is most shown by a change in position of the deep anatomical structures. These lead up to landmarks namely
1. An appearance of the jowl; a broken jaw line by dropping of the platysma muscle (muscle of lower jaw).
2. Increased redundancy of the nasolabial folds (They are the two skin folds that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They separate the cheek from the upper lip) this caused by a descent of cheek fat.
3. Increased distance from the ciliary margin to the inferior-most point of the orbicularis oculi muscle (face muscle that closes the eyelids, surrounds the circumference of the orbit and spread over the temple and downward on the cheek). This caused by decreasing tone of the orbicularis oculi muscle.
4. The skin is a fourth component in the aging of the face.
A facelift can help repair some of the visible signs of aging. Fixing damage to skin, fat, and muscles can restore a “younger” look.
According to Ayurveda it happens as a result of vatta dosha aggravation, and imbalances in Pitta and kapha dosha.
Stress and modern lifestyles cause the muscles of the face, neck and shoulders to tighten and constrict leading to a restriction in supply of energy, oxygen and nutrients. The collagen and elastic fibers of the skin’s connective tissue become locked together, restricting the mobility of the facial muscles and giving a drawn appearance.
Available Treatment
There are multiple surgical techniques. It usually involves the removal of excess facial skin, with or without the tightening of underlying tissues, and the re-draping of the skin on the patient’s face and neck.
Risks from any surgery are, Infections, A pocket of blood under the skin, Damage to the nerves that control muscles of the face (this is usually temporary), Wounds that do not heal well, Pain that does not go away, Numbness or other changes in skin sensation etc.
Poor cosmetic results that may need more surgery include unpleasant scarring, Unevenness of the face, Fluid that collects under the skin, Irregular skin shape, Changes in skin color etc.
Ayurvedic treatments used are natural and noninvasive:
Ayurvedic therapies used for facelift are-
1. Mookhalepa – Includes marma massage of the upper back, shoulder, neck, head and face where we hold tension more, especially the shoulders which reflect on the face. Followed by medicated steam and application of herbal paste over face and neck skin.
Maram Massage followed by medicated steam, releases energy blockages improves blood and lymph circulation allowing free flow around the body.
2. Virechana (Purgation) – Helps to Detoxify and rejuvenate whole body system, targets other diseases responsible for aging process, increases tone, luster and elasticity of the skin.
3. Ayurvedic diet as per body and skin type, etc.
Shirodhara therapy & Nasya therapy can also be used as per the need of the patient.
These treatments lead to increased tone of facial muscles giving a more lifted appearance, reduced sagginess, softening lines and reduced wrinkles. It stimulates and improves function of lymphatic system and immune system, improvement in blood flow, oxygen and nutrients leads to improved complexion and texture of skin. . The freeing of restrictions in the connective tissue allows the fibers to slide past each other freely, giving suppleness and flexibility to the face. Soothes away stress and tension, giving a sense of deep relaxation and well-being.
Dr.Mangesh Mudgal
Resident Doctor at Ayurveda Kenya