Sagging Skin: Causes, Treatment Options, and How to Keep Your Skin Firm

What causes sagging skin? Can it be prevented?

Sagging skin is delicate, thin, and has a papery texture. It often occurs on the face, neck, lower eyelids, legs, and arms.

Common causes include sun damage, aging, and certain medications.

You can prevent sagging skin and keep your skin healthy by eating nutrient-dense foods, protecting your skin from sun damage, and following a regular skin care routine to keep your skin moisturized and soft.

What does sagging skin look like?

Sagging skin is thin and feels like paper. The name comes from its resemblance to crepe paper—a thin, crumpled paper used for decorations (such as party streamers) and crafts (such as paper mache).

Another sign of sagging skin is loose, sagging skin. Over time, skin loses firmness, becomes less elastic, and has a poorer ability to recover.

What causes sagging skin?

There are many reasons for sagging skin, including aging, loss of collagen (the main structural protein in skin and connective tissue), sun damage, weight fluctuations, and certain medications.

Aging: As you age, the epidermis (outer layer of skin) thins because the body produces less elastin. Elastin gives the skin its elasticity, allowing it to return to its shape after being stretched.

Sun damage: Excessive exposure to the sun or lack of protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause your skin to gradually lose elasticity, which can accelerate skin aging.

Weight changes: Frequent weight fluctuations or significant weight loss can also cause excess, less elastic skin, which can lead to sagging skin.

Medications: Frequent use of certain medications, such as B. corticosteroids, can cause skin atrophy (thinning) as a side effect. This loss in skin thickness can lead to sagging skin.

Risk factors

Many risk factors are associated with the development of sagging skin. Older people and those with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are more likely to develop sagging skin.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects collagen formation and function. 13514

Alcohol consumption and smoking can also be risk factors.

Studies have shown that both are associated with changes in facial skin and volume, which can lead to premature skin aging and increase the risk of sagging skin. 13

Treatments for loose skin

From home remedies to in-office dermatology treatments, there are a variety of treatment options to reduce loose skin.

At-home treatments

To care for loose skin at home, use a skin-firming moisturizer and retinoids (vitamin A-based skin care products).

While firming creams can temporarily plump up the skin, the effects are limited and are not a permanent solution to loose skin. Therefore, regular use of these products is necessary.

One study showed that applying a firming body moisturizer to loose skin twice daily for 12 weeks tightened the upper arms, reduced skin wrinkles, increased skin thickness, and improved overall skin health and appearance.

The findings are promising, but since the study was funded by a skin care company, further research is needed.

Retinoids boost collagen production and speed up skin turnover, which can help reduce the appearance of minor skin sagging.

American Academy of Dermatology. Retinoids or retinol?

If your skin is more lax, you’ll need an in-office dermatology treatment for the best results.

Treatments in practice

For in-office treatments, you should see a dermatologist, who is a doctor who specializes in treating skin, hair, and nail disorders.

Laser skin resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing treatments use light beams to tighten loose skin. Recovery usually takes 5-7 days, and the tightening effects begin within two weeks.

Ultrasound skin tightening

Ultrasound skin tightening is a non-invasive collagen-generating treatment that uses ultrasound waves to tighten and firm the skin through heat.

One treatment can slightly tighten and firm the skin within 2-6 months. Further treatments may be required.

Fillers

Injectable dermal fillers, such as Radiesse (calcium hydroxyapatite), have a volumizing effect and can therefore reduce the formation of wrinkles around the arms.

Other fillers, such as hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers, can help eliminate wrinkles around the eyes. Not everyone is a good candidate for fillers under the eyes.

Therefore, if you are considering this, you should consult a dermatologist. This person can assess whether filler treatment or other in-office treatments are the best treatment.

Facial Threads

During this procedure, a plastic surgeon inserts special threads under the skin to pull back excess skin.

This makes the skin appear tighter and firmer. Facial threads also stimulate collagen production, which helps tighten and add volume to wrinkled skin.

You should be aware of the different types of threads and possible complications. Therefore, it is best to discuss with your doctor whether this treatment is right for you.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that can rejuvenate the skin by boosting collagen production.

The doctor will move an instrument with tiny needles over your skin to create small punctures.

The epidermis is not damaged; these are controlled skin injuries that lead to wound healing, which rejuvenates the skin.

Prevention

There are some helpful tips and lifestyle changes you can incorporate into your daily routine to prevent sagging skin. Some scientifically proven ways to prevent sagging skin include:

Moisturizing: Use lotions, ointments, or creams to moisturize your skin every day to prevent dry skin.

A balanced and nutritious diet: Eat nutrient-rich foods to prevent nutritional deficiencies that cause skin changes, lesions, or rashes.

Sun protection: Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Avoid tanning: Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, as they can cause skin cancer and accelerate skin aging.

Avoid alcohol and smoking: Limit alcohol and smoking, as both can contribute to premature skin aging and changes in facial skin and facial volume.

Take or use collagen: Collagen supplements and skin care products containing collagen can help reduce or slow the aging of the skin and the formation of wrinkles.

Take a vitamin D3 supplement:

Taking vitamin D3 can help slow premature skin aging and prevent sun damage that can cause sagging skin, thanks to vitamin D3’s anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to inhibit DNA damage and promote DNA repair.

Both internal and external factors can contribute to sagging skin, including sun damage, aging, weight changes, collagen loss, and certain genetic conditions.

To prevent sagging skin, protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen when outdoors, eating a nutritious diet, avoiding sunbathing, and avoiding or limiting smoking and alcohol.

If you have sagging skin, we recommend adding a firming moisturizer and retinoids to your skin care routine.

Other treatments for sagging skin include laser resurfacing, ultrasound tightening, and facial thread lifting. Talk to a dermatologist or other doctor to find the best treatment for your skin.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected