The aging African-American face

Facial Plast Surg. 2010 May;26(2):154-63. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1253501. Epub 2010 May 4.

Abstract

With the desire to create a more youthful appearance, patients of all races and ethnicities are increasingly seeking nonsurgical and surgical rejuvenation. In particular, facial rejuvenation procedures have grown significantly within the African-American population. This increase has resulted in a paradigm shift in facial plastic surgery as one considers rejuvenation procedures in those of African descent, as the aging process of various racial groups differs from traditional models. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the facial features unique to those of African descent and the role these features play in the aging process, taking care to highlight the differences from traditional models of facial aging. In addition, this article will briefly describe the nonsurgical and surgical options for facial rejuvenation taking into consideration the previously discussed facial aging differences and postoperative considerations.

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / therapy
  • Black or African American*
  • Blepharoplasty
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use
  • Chemexfoliation
  • Dermabrasion
  • Face / anatomy & histology
  • Face / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Keloid / prevention & control
  • Laser Therapy
  • Melanosomes
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Rejuvenation*
  • Rhytidoplasty / methods
  • Skin / anatomy & histology
  • Skin / radiation effects
  • Skin Aging / physiology*
  • United States

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A