Facial changes in the mature patient.

During the aging process, the appearance of the human face changes significantly due to fundamental alterations in the bones, soft tissues, and skin. Both endogenous and environmental factors are involved in age-related transformations of the face; however, facial skin is particularly influenced by environmental factors, and the risk of overexposure and consequent premature facial aging. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge of the most common facial skin changes in the mature patient, including pathogenesis of both intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging, as well as clinical and histologic features of skin aging. Because the majority of facial skin changes in the elderly develop as the consequence of ultraviolet radiation, these can be prevented by adequate photoprotection.