What Happens to Your Skin as You Age (And What You Can Do About It)

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Dr. Chet Mays

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3/17/2026

If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, "When did my skin start changing?" - you're not alone.

Aging isn't just about wrinkles. It's a combination of subtle changes happening beneath the surface over time. The good news? Once you understand what's happening, you can treat it strategically.

Let's break it down.

Collagen Loss: The Root of It All

Starting in your mid-20s, your body produces less collagen each year. Collagen is what keeps your skin firm, smooth, and youthful.

As collagen declines, you may notice: 

  • Fine lines and wrinkles 
  • Thinner skin 
  • Loss of firmness

What helps: 

  • Microneedling 
  • Red light therapy 
  • Laser treatments 
  • Medical-grade skincare with growth factors

Collagen loss is inevitable - but slowing it down and stimulating new production makes a noticeable difference.

Loss of Elasticity: Why Skin Starts to Sag

Elasticity is what allows your skin to "snap back." Over time, that ability weakens.

This is when you start to see: 

  • Drooping around the jawline 
  • Looser skin on the cheeks and neck 
  • A more tired appearance overall

What helps: 

  • Skin tightening treatments 
  • Collagen-stimulating procedures 
  • Consistent skincare focused on repair and hydration

The earlier you address elasticity, the better your long-term results.

Volume Loss: The "Deflated" Look

As we age, we naturally lose fat in the face - especially in the cheeks and under the eyes.

This can lead to: 

  • Hollow under-eyes 
  • Flattened cheeks 
  • More prominent folds and lines

What helps: 

  • Dermal filler 
  • Biostimulatory treatments 
  • Hydrating skincare

Volume loss is one of the biggest contributors to looking older - even more than wrinkles.

Slow Cell Turnover: Dull, Uneven Skin

Your skin doesn't renew itself as quickly as it used to.

That can cause: 

  • Dullness 
  • Rough texture 
  • Uneven tone 
  • Breakouts that take longer to heal

What helps: 

  • Chemical peels 
  • Exfoliating facials like DiamondGlow 
  • Retinol and medical-grade exfoliants

This is often why skin starts to lose that natural "glow."

Sun Damage: The Silent Accelerator

If there's one thing that speeds up all signs of aging, it's sun exposure.

Over time, UV damage leads to: 

  • Dark spots and pigmentation 
  • Broken capillaries 
  • Loss of collagen and elasticity

What helps: 

  • Daily SPF - no exceptions

We recommend mineral-based sunscreens like Colorescience, which protect your skin while enhancing it with lightweight, wearable coverage.

So...What Should You Actually Do?

Aging skin isn't about doing everything - it's about doing the right things consistently.

A well-rounded approach usually includes: 

  • Preventative care (SPF, skincare) 
  • Maintenance treatments (facials, light lasers) 
  • Corrective treatments (toxins, fillers, advanced procedures)

The key is starting where you are and building from there.

You Don't Have to Guess

One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to figure it out on their own - buying random products, jumping between treatments, or waiting too long to start.

At The Spa at MPS, we take a personalized approach to your skin. Whether you're just starting to notice changes or looking to take things to the next level, we can help you create a plan that makes sense for your goals, your timeline, and your budget.

Because aging is inevitable - but how your skin ages is something you can influence. Book your FREE skincare consultation today !

I absolutely love Dr. Mays and his team. From the moment you walk in, the staff is kind, welcoming, and always responsive. Dr. Mays makes you feel completely comfortable and confident in your choices. He listens carefully to what you want and brings your vision to life without ever pressuring you into anything. His work is absolutely phenomenal and the results speak for themselves.Trina does my Botox and she is professional, precise, and makes the experience so easy and relaxed.The entire team goes above and beyond to make you feel cared for and supported. I couldn’t recommend them more highly to anyone looking for a plastic surgeon and aesthetic team that truly delivers amazing results.

J.F. Google

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E.P. Google

I visited Mays Plastic Surgery Nov. 21st and had a great experience with both Meredith and Trina.Meredith did a Diamond Glow facial on me which gave me an incredible glow that I received multiple compliments on even days after my appointment. It was such a relaxing experience and Meredith made me feel so comfortable and she also prepped me to get filler and I felt literally zero discomfort when getting filler. The facial was so relaxing I didn't even want to get up out of the cozy little bed.Trina did my filler for both my undereyes and jawline. She gave great recommendations for what type of filler to use and placement. She made me feel very comfortable and was incredibly gentle during the procedure - I couldn't even tell where she'd injected me afterwards. The hollowness in my undereyes has been significantly reduced and my jawline looks so much more defined and pretty, even my neck under my chin looks better. I'm so pleased with following Trina's recommendations! My friends and coworkers have all asked about it and want to get it done themselves now!Thank you Meredith and Trina, you all were awesome!! 100% recommend them!

M.S. Google

Trina is very good, very detailed, and she listens! So far, as a transferred client, I'm pleased with the services rendered. The facility is absolutely beautiful, immaculate, very classy and elegant! The men's bathroom is off the chain! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

J.M. Google

The diamond glow facial was so relaxing, and Meredith was so sweet!

S.B. Google

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