# Doctor’s Advice: Understanding Aging Across the Skin LayersBy Dr. Saetawut Lertlukpreecha

Hello, I am Dr. Saetawut Lertlukpreecha.

Many people think that skin care for anti-aging is only about applying creams or getting fillers.

But in reality, the youthfulness of your face involves every layer of your skin, from the top layer down to the fat, muscles, and bones.

Today, I’ll explain how each layer degenerates as we age and how we can take care of or delay aging in each layer.

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## Understanding the “Facial Structure” First

Our face consists of several main layers:

1. Epidermis – The outermost skin layer

2. Dermis – The layer of collagen, elastin, and blood vessels

3. Subcutaneous Fat – The fat layer under the skin

4. SMAS (Fascia) – The connective tissue covering the facial muscles

5. Muscle – The facial expression muscles

6. Bone – The underlying bone structure of the face

Each layer plays a different role in maintaining youth, and each requires specific anti-aging techniques.

1. 

Epidermis Layer

• Common Issues: Uneven skin tone, dark spots, enlarged pores, thin skin

• Care Recommendations:

  
  

  • Skin treatments like AHA, Vitamin C, Retinol

  • Laser treatments like Q-switch, IPL

  • Skin Boosters / Meso / Rejuran

  • Regular sunscreen application

  
  

2. 

Dermis Layer

• Main Function: It’s the source of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid

• Issues: Loss of elasticity, deepening wrinkles

• Anti-Aging Solutions:

  
  

  • Microneedle RF or Fractional Laser to stimulate collagen production

  • Biostimulators (e.g., Sculptra, Radiesse)

  • PRP / PN / PDRN to regenerate skin cells

  • Collagen supplements with Vitamin C

  
  

3. 

Subcutaneous Fat Layer

• Function: Adds volume to the face for a plump, youthful look

• As You Age: Fat starts to dissolve in certain areas (e.g., under the eyes, temples) and shifts downward

• Solutions:

  
  

  • Filler to replace lost fat

  • Fat Grafting (using your own fat)

  • Enhance with HIFU or RF to support surrounding structures

  
  

4. 

SMAS Layer (Fascia)

• Function: A connective tissue layer that supports muscles and skin

• Issues: Skin sags, losing firmness

• Technologies:

  
  

  • Focused Ultrasound (e.g., Ultherapy®, Liftera)

  • Macro-High Intensity RF

  • These help stimulate SMAS to tighten and lift without surgery

  
  

5. 

Muscle Layer

• Function: Responsible for facial expressions (e.g., smiling, frowning, laughing)

• Problems from Overuse: Wrinkles form from repeated movements (e.g., crow’s feet, forehead lines)

• Wrinkle Solutions:

  
  

  • Botox to temporarily relax muscles

  • Adjusting habits like avoiding frowning or squinting frequently

  
  

6. 

Bone Structure

• As You Age: Bone density decreases, leading to changes like deeper eye sockets, shorter chin

• Results: The face appears sunken and skin sags

• Solutions:

  
  

  • Structural Fillers to enhance bone structure

  • Silicone implants or surgery in some cases

  
  

Doctor’s Advice: Think of Your Face as a “System”

“Facial care should not focus only on one layer of the skin. Each layer is interconnected.

By understanding and treating each layer, you will achieve a more beautiful and long-lasting result.”

Summary

Beauty and youthfulness are not just about the outer skin layer.

They are about understanding the causes of changes in each layer.

When you understand the layers, working with a doctor who has a deep knowledge of facial structure will help you slow down aging naturally and safely for the long term.