Why Men Seem to Age Better Than Women — And How to Close the Gap
You’ve heard the claim that men age more gracefully. In reality, male and female faces follow different ageing patterns, from bone remodelling to collagen loss and fat-pad shifts. Understanding those differences is the key. With modern, doctor-led techniques that respect female facial anatomy, we can individualise treatment so women don’t just “close the gap”; they set a new standard for graceful, healthy ageing.
1. The Biology of Ageing: Men vs Women
Skin Thickness and Collagen
Men’s skin is naturally about 25% thicker than women’s (NCBI). This extra thickness means:
Wrinkles appear later
Skin stays firmer for longer
Damage takes longer to become visible
In women, skin naturally thins with age but the process accelerates sharply after menopause due to the loss of oestrogen.
Sebum (Oil) Production
Men have higher sebum levels (DermNet), which helps keep skin hydrated and resilient. Women’s oil production decreases steadily after 40, leading to dryness, dullness, and a less supple texture.
Bone Structure and Fat Distribution
Men generally maintain stronger jawlines and cheekbones as they age due to slower bone resorption (Aesthetic Surgery Journal).
Women experience faster mid‑face volume loss and jawline softening, which can make the face appear older, even if the skin itself is in good condition.
Hormonal Changes
Men’s testosterone levels decline slowly over decades, while women’s oestrogen levels drop dramatically in the years around menopause (NHS).
This sudden hormonal shift triggers:
Thinner skin
Loss of elasticity
Accelerated collagen breakdown
Increased fine lines and sagging
2. The Social Perception Gap
The idea that men “age better” isn’t just biology, it’s cultural bias.
“Distinguished” vs “Old”
Grey hair and wrinkles on men are often described as distinguished, handsome, or rugged.
The same features on women are more likely to be framed as signs of “looking old”.
Grooming and Style
Men’s style expectations remain fairly constant through life.
Women face greater pressure to look youthful, stylish, and “well‑kept” which is an often unrealistic standard.
Facial Hair Camouflage
Beards and stubble can hide sagging skin, jawline softening, or uneven pigmentation, allowing men to mask certain signs of ageing more easily
3. Closing the Gap: The Modern Aesthetic Advantage
Here’s where science and subtle artistry come in. Women today have access to powerful, natural‑looking treatments that not only slow visible ageing, but can restore balance in ways nature never allowed.
1. Regenerate Skin from Within
Polynucleotides – Repair and stimulate your skin’s own fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin (Aesthetics Journal).
Microneedling with exosomes – Improves skin density and texture.
Prescription skincare like tretinoin- stimulates fibroblasts (cells that make collagen and elastin). Over time, it restores dermal thickness and improves skin structure, helping offset the accelerated collagen loss women experience.
LED Light -Red and near-infrared LED light gently “nudges” skin cells’ power stations (mitochondria) to work better.
2. Restore Lost Volume
Gentle, strategic dermal fillers replace mid‑face support and subtly lift.
Biostimulatory injectables (like calcium hydroxyapatite) rebuild collagen naturally over time.
3. Rebalance Skin Hydration
Medical‑grade skin boosters plump and smooth skin from within.
Improves fine lines, texture, and gives a natural “lit‑from‑within” glow.
4. Support Hormonal Skin Changes
Work with your GP or menopause specialist on HRT for skin, hair, and bone health benefits (British Menopause Society).
Combine with medical skincare rich in peptides, retinoids, and antioxidants.
Case Study: “Jane”, 46, Hale (Perimenopausal)
Presenting concerns
“Jane” (not her real name) is a 46-year-old professional and mum of two from Hale. She felt she looked “tired and a bit sunken,” especially compared with male colleagues of a similar age. Her goals were freshness and lift, not a different face.
Medical/skin snapshot
Perimenopausal symptoms; regular cycles becoming lighter/irregular
Fitzpatrick II–III; mild photo-pigmentation; dryness and dullness
Exam: early mid-face deflation, softening at the pre-jowl sulcus, fine peri-orbital lines, superficial sun damage; skin barrier mildly compromised
Lifestyle: SPF intermittent, non-smoker, moderate alcohol, sleeps 6–7 h
What’s driving her “age gap” look?
Thinner dermis & faster collagen loss vs men at the same age → earlier fine lines and laxity
Mid-face volume shift → flattening of the cheeks; jawline looks softer
Lower sebum production → dryness and loss of luminosity
Perimenopausal hormonal dip → accelerates all of the above
Our plan (12–16 weeks): science first, art second
Phase 1 — Regenerate & reset skin (Weeks 0–6)
Why: Women’s faster collagen decline and reduced sebum mean skin quality must be rebuilt before lifting/contouring.
Prescription skincare (night):
Tretinoin (titrate from 0.025% to 0.05% over 8-12 weeks) collagen stimulation, texture, tone
Barrier support: gentle cleanser, peptide/ceramide moisturiser
AM: Vitamin C antioxidant serum 15% + broad-spectrum SPF 50 daily
In-clinic:
Polynucleotides x3 sessions, 3–4 weeks apart – fibroblast stimulation, dermal quality
Microneedling + exosomes x1–2 sessions – density/texture boost
Hormonal support: Signposted to GP/menopause specialist to discuss HRT suitability for global skin, hair and bone health
Downtime: 24–72 h low-grade redness after needling; mild tretinoin dryness in early weeks
Phase 2 — Restore structure where women typically lose it (Weeks 6–10)
Why: Female faces tend to lose mid-face support sooner, and the jawline softens with bone/fat changes.
Mid-face lift (subtle): Small-volume hyaluronic acid filler placed deep to restore cheek projection and support the tear-trough area (no “apple cheeks”).
Expression balance (optional): Soft-dose neuromodulator for frontalis/glabella/crow’s feet to reduce crêping without freezing expression.
Downtime: Usually minimal; occasional bruise/swelling 48–72 h
Phase 3 — Hydrate & finish (Weeks 10–14)
Why: Men maintain more natural surface hydration; women benefit from medical-grade hydration to restore light reflection.
Skin boosters x2 sessions, 4 weeks apart – fine-line smoothing, “lit-from-within” glow
Pigment tidy-up: Targeted medical peel or azelaic/retinoid rotation if needed
Maintenance (Month 4+)
Tretinoin 3–4 nights/week long term
SPF 50 daily; Vitamin C AM; barrier-friendly moisturiser
Review polynucleotides/skin boosters at 6 months; filler typically reviewed at 12 months
Results at 16 weeks
Skin texture & luminosity: visibly brighter; make-up sits smoothly
Mid-face support: gentle lift restores youthful light on the cheekbone; under-eye looks less tired without treating the tear trough directly
Jawline: softer pre-jowl hollow; more “held” lower face without sharp angles
Patient-reported outcome: 9/10 confidence; colleagues comment she looks “well rested”
Safety & suitability (what we discussed with Sarah)
Expected downtime and benign side-effects (redness, swelling, tenderness, transient dryness)
Rare risks (vascular occlusion, infection, granuloma, pigment rebound) and our mitigation (anatomy-first technique, cannula use where indicated, hyaluronidase availability, sterile protocol)
Not pregnant/breastfeeding; no active skin infection; history screened for clotting/autoimmune disease
Tretinoin photosensitivity → strict SPF adherence; gradual introduction to avoid irritation
Investment (guide ranges; vary by plan and product)
Polynucleotides: £285 per session (course of 3)
Microneedling + exosomes: £295 per session
HA filler (mid-face): £295 per ml (typically 1–2 mL total)
Skin boosters: £285 per session (course of 2)
Prescription skincare & SPF: £120–£220 initial bundle
We staged treatments to fit comfort, recovery windows and budget without compromising natural results.
The Bottom Line?
Men don’t really age better, they just experience ageing differently, and benefit from softer cultural expectations.
With today’s aesthetic advances, women can absolutely level the playing field and in many cases, surpass it.
Ageing beautifully isn’t about comparison. It’s about stepping confidently into your forties, fifties, and beyond with your best face forward.
Dr Caroline Warden at her aesthetic Clinic in Hale, Altrincham
📍Book a Skin Assessment in Hale
Dr Caroline Warden is an experienced NHS GP and aesthetic doctor. She has been a medical doctor for over 18 years. Her Skin and Aesthetic Clinic is located in Hale, Cheshire
Whether you're new to aesthetic treatments or ready to refine your routine, her bespoke skin assessments are the best place to start. She’ll design a tailored plan based on your skin goals, lifestyle, and timeline.
Book your consultation at the clinic in Hale, Cheshire and experience aesthetic medicine, with a lighter touch
Our main Hale clinic is local To:
Alderley Edge, Altrincham, Bowdon, Bramhall, Hale Barns, Knutsford, Manchester, Mobberley, Sale, Timperley, Urmston, Wilmslow, Handforth, Poynton, Cheadle, Didsbury, Warrington
Our satellite Disley clinic on Thursday nights at Scott, Skin & Co, is local to:
New Mills, High Lane, Marple, Mellor, Whaley Bridge, Hayfield, Stockport
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