Why FFA for Proactive Ageing?
“In principle, to achieve the most natural and harmonious rejuvenation of the face, all changes that result from the aging process should be corrected.” Changes in the Facial Skeleton With Aging: Implications and Clinical Applications in Facial Rejuvenation
In my day to day aesthetics work, my preferred approach is my signature Full Face Aesthetics (FFA) also known as Proactive Ageing.
Why?
Perhaps it is my decade in a surgical speciality that informs why I work the way I do.
Or perhaps it is my tendency to start what I finish.
I love working with complex ageing faces that are not surgical only (yet) who hope to avoid or delay facial surgery.
I also love working with younger faces that do not have great bone structure which lead to signs of premature ageing.
Both category of patients need their own comprehensive FFA for best results.
As Drs Mendelson and Wong note, “some people inherently “age better” than others. These individuals can be recognized in youth because they have a more attractive face with a strong skeletal structure, as evidenced by the presence of youthful bony features that provide good support to the overlying soft tissues.
Because these individuals innately have youthful bony contours, they start off “high on the curve” of bony support so that it takes longer for the bone loss of aging to manifest clinically… people with poor facial skeletal support never have the ideal contours of youth and start off lower down the curve, and many appear old for their age, even in their 20’s. They are effectively predisposed to manifest aging changes prematurely.”
In other words: a strong bone structure is generally more beautiful (think supermodels, models and many celebrities) at all ages and delays the inevitable process of aging. On the other hand, deficiencies in bone structure, especially around the eyes and mouth, may result in imbalance and the appearance of ageing even in someone young.
This is why the vast majority (but not all) promoters of “ageing naturally” are often supermodels and models and less commonly, regular people, especially women.
Rather than just “beauty”, my FFA approach to the ageing or genetically challenged face is based in science with a full face approach to treat all obvious parts.
My FFA then, is not just for the ageing face, though that is the commonest time I will see patients, even those with genetic challenges that have been masked due to youth which begin to show up as early as late 20s to early 30s.
So what is my Full Face Aesthetics (FFA) approach to Proactive Ageing?
A full-face approach to treating facial aging & genetic deficiencies is often best because aging doesn’t occur in just one area, which is what you, the patient sees—it affects the entire face, including:
1. Global Volume Loss
- Volume loss in multiple areas: cheeks, temples, under eyes, lips, and jawline.
- Treating only one area (e.g., lips or nasolabial folds) can make the face look unbalanced or unnatural because each treated area will have a domino effect on the rest of the face.
2. Skin Quality Decline
- Includes texture changes, wrinkles, sun damage, and loss of elasticity.
- A full-face approach may combine skin treatments (like laser, microneedling, or peels) with prescription medication for best results designed specifically for your face and concerns.
3. Structural Shifts
- Bone is lost with age and fat pad deflation and droop can change facial shape, leading to a heavier lower face especially if you are carrying extra weight.
- You almost always need to address multiple layers—bone, fat, muscle, and skin—to restore a natural, youthful look that doesn’t look “done”. This takes expert assessment and planning well beyond a simple internet search.
4. Facial Harmony
- A youthful face is balanced and proportional.
- Treating just one area (like under-eye hollows) without adjusting neighboring areas (like temples ) can highlight the untreated areas, making aging more noticeable.
5. Prevention and Maintenance
- A full-face strategy can slow further aging, offering better long-term results over time with maintenance.
- It allows for customized treatment plans that evolve over time.
- In the right patient a well conducted plan may also allow you to delay or even avoid surgery altogether, ie true prevention.
Ready to start with your own FFA journey? Request a consultation here