Aging Gracefully Through the Decades

Happy New Year! 

As we step into 2026, many of us are reflecting on renewal and longevity. In the world of dermatology, we’ve moved away from the concept of “anti-aging,” which implies a battle against time, and toward “well aging.” To age gracefully is about understanding the story your skin is telling over time. It isn’t just about the lines you see on the surface. It’s also about the changes happening underneath the skin. This month, we’re looking at the “scaffolding” of the face and how it evolves over the years.

The Three Pillars of Facial Aging

When I assess a patient, I think about three main layers. An easy way to picture this is to imagine your face like a house:

1. The Foundation (Bone): As we age, the bones of the face slowly change and shrink. This happens around the eyes, cheeks, and jaw. When this support decreases, the soft tissue above it has less structure to hold onto, which can lead to sagging over time.

2. The Insulation (Fat Pads): We all have natural pockets of fat in the face that create youthful fullness. With time, these areas can thin out or shift downward. The fullness in the cheeks that many of us associate with youth gradually moves lower, changing the overall shape of the face.

3. The Exterior (Skin): Starting in our mid 20s, we lose about 1% of our collagen each year. Collagen is what helps skin stay firm and bouncy. Over time, the skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and slower to bounce back.

Aging Through the Decades: What to Expect

The 20s & 30s: The Era of Prevention

During this stage, the focus is on setting your skin up for the future. Structural changes are minimal, but you may start to notice fine lines that show up when you make expressions.

• What’s happening: Collagen production begins to slow down. Sun exposure from earlier years may start to show as subtle discoloration.

• The Goal: Protection and preservation.

The 40s & 50s: The Great Shift

This is often when changes become more noticeable, especially for women as hormone levels change.

• What’s happening: Lower estrogen levels can lead to thinner, drier skin. Changes in facial structure may contribute to deeper smile lines and early hollowness under the eyes.

• The Goal: Support and collagen stimulation.

The 60s & Beyond: Refinement and Resilience

At this stage, the skin is more delicate, and the underlying structure of the face has changed more significantly.

• What’s happening: The skin barrier becomes thinner and more prone to dryness. Shifts in facial volume can lead to jowling and a softer jawline.

• The Goal: Deep hydration, skin barrier support, and restoring balance where possible.

Dr. Simmons’ Note:

Aging is a privilege. My goal in 2026 is to use modern, science-backed treatments to help your skin look as healthy and vibrant as you feel, not to make you look like someone else.

Join Our Upcoming Webinar

The Goal Isn't Perfection, It’s Confidence

I’ve always believed that my job isn’t to “fix” you, because you aren’t broken. My role is to give you the knowledge and tools to feel confident in your skin at every stage of life.

We’re going to dive much deeper into this, including the ingredients and treatments that truly make a difference, in my upcoming webinar.

Webinar Title: Aging Well: Confidence Through the Decades

Date: Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at 10:30 AM CST

Topics: What to expect with aging, how to maintain healthy skin at any age, which treatments are available for the prevention and treatment of the signs of aging.

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