How to Tighten Sagging Facial Skin?
Interestingly, sagging skin becomes noticeable once you accept the fine lines and wrinkles that form on your skin over time. However, when it comes to sagging skin, there is often a lot of confusion about which routine or treatment is best to combat and potentially reverse the signs of sagging skin. So today I will focus on learning more and sharing with you the best tips I have found, as well as answering your questions about how to tighten sagging facial skin.
But before that, let’s first find out why this is happening:
Why does my facial skin sag?
First, the production of collagen and elastin in the skin decreases. As we age, this process slows down, causing the skin to show signs of sagging, often starting with the jawline and cheeks, commonly referred to as the “jowls.”
UV radiation is the leading cause of sagging skin. Sunlight free radical damage not only breaks down existing collagen by activating enzymes, but it also prevents new collagen from forming, causing the skin to lose firmness overall.
You may also have noticed that we often lose facial fat as we age, which over time can cause the face to look dull and sagging.
Lack of daily skin care can also cause your skin to age much faster than expected. Even a simple routine can help slow down the signs of aging.
Lifestyle also plays a role in skin aging. Habits such as smoking, excessive drinking or using tanning beds can cause your skin to age faster.
Now that you have a better understanding of how your skin starts to sag and what the causes are, I will now give you some advice on how to treat and prevent sagging skin at home and with the help of a trained professional.
How to Tighten Loose Skin on Your Face?
There are several ways to tighten sagging skin. First, let me share with you the simplest method, which has gained a lot of popularity over the past few months, which is daily facial massages. These massages are designed to train the facial muscles under the skin. Although we use them all the time to speak and express thousands of different expressions, we rarely train them in a way that tightens and firms the skin. You can find many different tools and different techniques on social media and YouTube. If you decide to try facial massage, it is best to use it regularly for more than two weeks to see results. This gives you enough time to see noticeable improvements.
Another way to tighten sagging facial skin is to try popular skin treatments such as radiofrequency and ultrasound devices. Both methods produce impressive results by boosting collagen production while minimizing discomfort and providing a super-fast recovery time. Possible side effects after treatment are redness, swelling, and some numbness, but these will subside quickly. Keep this in mind if you are considering cosmetic surgery to combat sagging skin. Many doctors say they recommend surgery as a last resort over the two treatments mentioned above.
Can sagging facial skin be reversed?
Yes, you can! When it comes to aging skin, we believe that preventive measures play a vital role. It is never too late to start using skincare products or specific ingredients and methods. Once you use one of these, you will notice a significant improvement in the overall appearance of your skin’s appearance and complexion. By introducing powerful active skin ingredients or starting to use a massager, you have taken the first step to reversing sagging skin, especially around the chin and cheek areas.
Here are some changes you can make if you want to prevent sagging skin:
Applying a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days, will protect your skin from harmful free radical damage and collagen breakdown.
Avoid smoking and tanning beds.
Drink enough water during the day.
Make sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly at the end of the day to remove makeup residue.
Use a skincare routine with powerful ingredients.
You can also reverse sagging skin with the skincare tips we’ve already shared. Don’t forget, you can learn more about fighting signs of aging in our blog post on the 5 most effective anti-aging ingredients.
How to increase collagen levels on your face?
There are many ways to increase collagen levels in your skin, which can be easily achieved through topical ingredients, supplements, and diet.
Hyaluronic acid – an important compound for collagen in the skin, found in various foods, dietary supplements, and many skincare products. It also has moisturizing properties, i.e. it locks in moisture in the skin, making the face look hydrated and youthful.
Vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and protects against skin damage caused by UV radiation, pollution, central heating, and other environmental influences. Retinol – praised for its ability to extend the life of collagen in the skin, and it blocks enzymes that create free radicals and break down collagen. To ensure these powerful ingredients work their best, it’s best to opt for a serum formula. This is because, unlike a moisturizer, a serum can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin and reach the areas where collagen is produced. I hope today we’ve found some answers to your concerns about sagging skin. Don’t forget, you can always check out our Instagram for more skincare tips, new product launches, and weekly giveaways.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
