Can Your Skull Change Shape as You Get Older? What the Science Says

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

The notion of a static, unchanging skeleton is largely a myth. In adulthood, the skull and facial bones are engaged in a constant, slow process of resorption and reformation. This leads to the intriguing question: can your skull change shape as you get older?

Quick Summary

Yes, your skull undergoes subtle but significant changes throughout adulthood due to ongoing bone remodeling and resorption, particularly affecting the delicate structure of the facial and cranial areas.

Key Points

Bone Remodeling Continues: The adult skull isn't static but constantly remodels, leading to subtle shape changes over time.
Facial Skeleton Resorbs: Key areas like the eye sockets and jaw lose bone mass, altering facial proportions and contributing to the appearance of aging.
Gender-Specific Changes: Studies show that the pattern and intensity of age-related skull changes can differ between males and females.
Not Noticeable Overnight: These changes are gradual, not dramatic, and are part of the natural physiological process of aging.
Impact on Appearance: Cranial bone shifts influence how soft tissues drape, affecting skin laxity, wrinkles, and overall facial contour.
Consult a Doctor for Sudden Changes: Significant or sudden shifts in skull shape are not part of normal aging and should be medically evaluated.

The Surprising Truth About Skull Remodeling

Unlike the rapid growth of childhood, adult cranial changes are a slow, continuous process known as bone remodeling. This involves osteoclasts, which break down old bone tissue, and osteoblasts, which form new bone. As we age, the balance between these two cell types can shift, leading to more bone resorption than formation in certain areas. These subtle shifts can accumulate over decades, altering the skull's shape in surprising ways.

The Aging Facial Skeleton: Specific Changes

While the main cranial vault protecting the brain remains relatively stable, the facial skeleton is more dynamic and prone to noticeable age-related changes. These shifts directly contribute to many of the visible signs of aging.

Orbital Expansion

As we get older, the orbits (eye sockets) enlarge. The rims of the eye sockets resorb bone, and the eye socket itself appears to widen and deepen. This can lead to the eyes appearing more sunken or hollow. The drooping of eyelids and eyebrows, often attributed to skin laxity, is also influenced by the underlying shifting bony structure.

Maxilla and Jaw Changes

The maxilla, or upper jaw, experiences a reduction in vertical height as we age. This causes a loss of support for the upper lip, contributing to a flatter midface and deepening nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth). The mandible, or lower jaw, also undergoes bone loss, especially in cases of tooth loss, which can cause the chin to recess and alter the jawline.

Nasal Aperture and Forehead

The piriform aperture, the bony opening for the nose, widens with age. Combined with the natural degradation of cartilage, this can make the nose appear longer and wider. In addition, the forehead can become more slanted as bone is resorbed, contributing to a reduction in its vertical height. Some studies also indicate a relative expansion of the lateral portions of the skull, particularly in the temporal regions.

Gender-Based Differences in Skull Aging

Scientific studies have found that age-related skull changes can manifest differently between the sexes, particularly in the rate and location of bone remodeling.

Table: Male vs. Female Skull Changes


Feature	Male Skull Changes	Female Skull Changes
Overall Remodeling	Significant changes noted across most regions of the skull, including the inner and outer cranial vault.	Less change noted in the outer cranial vault, with more pronounced changes in specific facial areas.
Forehead	Often shows compression in anterior and posterior regions.	Can show more compression in the frontal region along the midline.
Eye Sockets	Show significant age-related increases in vertical and horizontal dimensions.	Exhibit similar changes, but some studies indicate a different pattern of resorption at the orbital rim.
Jawline	Resorption and bone loss in the mandible can be significant, especially with tooth loss.	Resorption is often more intense and occurs earlier in females due to hormonal factors.
Chewing Muscles	Stronger biomechanical forces may play a role in influencing bone density and resorption patterns.	Lower masticatory forces in some populations may lead to faster resorption in areas like the maxilla.

Debunking Common Skull Shape Myths

Several misconceptions exist regarding adult skull shape. It's crucial to distinguish between normal aging and pathological conditions.

Myth: My skull is 'expanding.' The skull does not 'expand' in adulthood to accommodate brain growth, unlike in infancy. Instead, bone resorption and remodeling are responsible for size and shape changes, not expansion from within. Increased cranial pressure in adults does not enlarge the skull but is a serious medical issue.
Myth: Skull changes happen suddenly. Normal age-related skull changes are a very slow process, occurring over decades. If you notice a sudden, significant change, bump, or indentation, it is not normal aging and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Myth: All skull changes are caused by aging. While aging is a primary factor, other issues like dental health, significant trauma, or specific diseases can also impact the skull. Conditions like Paget's disease, certain cancers, or chronic cerebrovascular diseases can cause changes or irregularities that require medical attention.

How to Support Your Craniofacial Health

While you cannot stop the natural process of bone remodeling, certain lifestyle factors can help support craniofacial health and potentially mitigate some age-related effects.

Maintain Good Dental Health: The presence of teeth stimulates bone in the jaw. Tooth loss can accelerate bone resorption in the jaw, so proper dental hygiene and care are vital.
Ensure Adequate Calcium and Vitamin D: These nutrients are essential for bone health. A balanced diet rich in calcium-fortified foods and vitamin D (from sun exposure or supplements) can support skeletal integrity.
Avoid Smoking: Smoking has been linked to decreased bone density and accelerated bone loss throughout the body, including the craniofacial region.
Wear Sun Protection: While it won't prevent bone loss, protecting your skin from the sun helps preserve the soft tissue layers that drape over the facial skeleton. This can improve the overall aesthetic appearance and minimize sagging.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Regular exercise and a balanced diet support overall health, including the body's ability to maintain healthy bones.

Conclusion: The Evolving Cranium

Contrary to the static image most of us have, your skull is in a constant state of flux, subtly shifting shape throughout your adult life. The most notable changes occur in the facial skeleton, driven by natural bone remodeling. Understanding that our faces change from the inside out gives us a more complete picture of the aging process. By focusing on overall health and supporting our bodies' natural maintenance systems, we can positively influence how our craniofacial structure evolves over time. For more in-depth information, you can read research into the geometric morphometric analysis of adult skulls, such as the Evaluation of morphological changes in the adult skull with age and sex published by the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, your skull changes shape as you get older due to bone remodeling, a continuous process of bone resorption and formation. These changes are most noticeable in the facial skeleton, including the jaw and eye sockets.

The most significant changes occur in the facial skeleton. Key areas include the orbits (eye sockets), which enlarge; the maxilla (upper jaw), which loses vertical height; and the mandible (lower jaw), which can recede due to bone loss.

Studies have shown that there are differences in how male and female skulls age. Females may experience more intense bone resorption earlier, particularly in the jaw, often due to hormonal changes. Males tend to show more widespread changes across the cranial vault.

Yes, tooth loss significantly impacts the shape of the jawbone. The bone surrounding teeth is stimulated by chewing. Without this stimulation, the jawbone can resorb more quickly, leading to a smaller jaw and a change in lower facial structure.

You cannot stop the natural process of bone remodeling. However, you can support overall bone health through a calcium-rich diet, adequate vitamin D, good dental hygiene, and a healthy lifestyle to potentially mitigate some age-related effects.

Yes, while slow remodeling is normal, sudden or significant changes in skull shape can indicate a medical condition. Examples include Paget's disease, certain cancers, or trauma. Any dramatic changes should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Most people notice the effects of skull changes indirectly through changes in their facial appearance, such as deepening wrinkles, a receding jawline, or more prominent-looking eyes. Because the process is so gradual, it is not typically something you can feel or see happening in real-time.