The Aging Face: A Psychocutaneous Perspective

The aging face: a psychocutaneous perspective.

The cutaneous stigmata of aging may affect an individual's mental well-being, body image, and quality of life. Before proceeding with treatment, the dermatologist should take into consideration the patient's overall life situation and evaluate whether or not there is severe psychopathology and body image distortion.

The Aging Face: A Different Perspective on Pathology and Treatment

Probably because the thrust of the pathology of the aging face has been attributed to the effects of gravity (skin and muscle loosening and falling), treatment of such is generally directed toward lifting procedures. Indeed, results from such procedures are generally beneficial, but in many cases the patient appears unnaturally skeletonized. A brow-lift may eliminate some wrinkles and frown lin...

A new perspective on the determinants of the concept of aging: a letter to the editor

Psychocutaneous Disorders

Psychological problems are often manifest in the skin. In fact, it is estimated that between 20% and 30% of all skin disorders have some psychological component. Many patients who have psychocutaneous disorders—which are often direct evidence of or secondary to psychological abberations—drift from one physician to another, trying to find one savvy enough to cure their “skin condition.” Furtherm...

Anatomy of the aging face

The traditional approach to assessing the face is to consider the face in thirds (upper, middle, and lower thirds). While useful, this approach limits conceptualization, as it is not based on the function of the face. From a functional perspec­ tive, the face has an anterior aspect and a lateral aspect. The anterior face is highly evolved beyond the basic survival needs, specifically, for commu...