SAGGY SKIN

Saggy skin is a troubling problem for many of us. As we go through life our body begins to show signs of the experiences we’ve been through and, unfortunately, loose or drooping skin is one of these signs. There are ways to deal with, or reduce, this problem however, such as Fraxel® Skin Resurfacing and Laser Skin Tightening. We’ve provided an explanation of how saggy skin forms and some of the best ways you can go about avoiding it in order to help.

How Does Saggy Skin Form?

In our youth the skin is more capable of retaining moisture and stretching because of a few important factors. Our dermis is the layer of skin that is most responsible for stretching since it holds specialized fibres, called elastin, that facilitate this process. Elastin works alongside collagen to keep our skin taut and healthy. As we get older the elastin and collagen found in the skin’s dermis layer begins to die off and the subcutaneous layer starts to gradually lose its natural fats. Saggy skin forms as this process occurs – most often during or after our middle age – but can also be accelerated by rapid weight loss, pregnancy, free radical damage or low hyaluronic acid levels. After elastin and collagen levels in the skin’s layers have decreased, plumpness dissipates and our skin begins to wrinkle and sag.

How Can I Improve or Slow Sagging Skin?

Drinking water can help to ward off sagging skin. It promotes the removal of unwanted toxins and wastes which can accelerate the aging process. Exercise and a healthy diet also go a long way toward reducing or eliminating sagging skin. A combination of cardiovascular and strength training builds muscles and reduces fat – just remember to lose weight slowly if your goal is to shed excess pounds without adding to skin sagginess, since the skin will be able to accommodate better.

A diet which is full of vitamin A and vitamin B is beneficial toward increasing skin health and regular massages have also been shown to reduce sagging skin. Avoiding excessive sun exposure and smoking also helps ward off the risk of drying the skin (which damages both its collagen and elastin levels).

There are a number of different natural and procedural methods for dealing with the formation of sagging skin. Speak to our Medical Consultant for more information on the subject or to learn about treatment options.

As we get older our skin loses its natural vibrancy and vitality. One of the main reasons for this is the decrease and disorderly regrowth of collagen. Knowing how we lose this valuable substance is essential for anyone that wishes to maintain healthy and youthful looking skin as they age. Although skin tightening Toronto can help remold aging skin, it also helps to know this information to maintain the benefits of your treatment.

Chronological Collagen Loss

The collagen in our body naturally begins to break down and dissipate as we age, leading to a number of changes in how we look and feel. In total, collagen constitutes roughly 70% of our skin’s mass, making it one of the most important elements of our appearance. After the age of forty, however, collagen levels are known to drop by as much as one percent (total) per year — something that makes an enormous difference to the skin. Collagen structure can also change as we get older, leading to a disorganized pattern that develops noticeably as uneven skin tone and/or texture. When we’re younger our skin is better able to regulate itself but the cycles of regeneration that produce new collagen can become erratic over time. Bumps, spots of pigmentation, wrinkles and creases are all due, at least in part, to bad collagen structuring and regrowth.

Environmental Collagen Loss

The world around us can play a large role in collagen loss as well, causing the protein’s levels to decrease at a faster than normal rate while also causing structural changes. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are capable of interfering with proper collagen production by introducing free radicals to the skin. These free radicals pose a danger to the regrowth of new proteins, causing the kind of disorganized growth mentioned before. Free radical damage occurs from other sources as well. Smoking is the second biggest threat to our collagen levels and should also be avoided.

How Can I Slow Down Collagen Loss?

The most reliable methods for slowing down collagen loss — and preventing badly structured regenerated collagen — are in avoiding the environmental factors discussed above. We can’t do anything to stop our bodies from aging but we can take care to avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and excessive sunlight.Studies have also shown that vitamin C intake could play a role in stimulating collagen production in the skin. Vitamin C is able to boost certain types of collagen (Type I and III) when applied as a topical agent and could be the key to slowing down decreases. It is also vital in the recovery process following skin tightening Toronto treatments.