Sagging Skin: Know Its Causes, Cures, and Prevention

If you spend hours in the gym trying to lose weight, or if you have grandparents at home, you might have an idea about sagging skin. Most people who have crossed at least 60 or 65 years of age can witness saggy skin due to the reduction of collagen and elastin. Sagging skin is also common among people who have lost a significant amount of weight.

Although age is a significant factor contributing to sagging skin, other factors also play a role. Additionally, this particular skin condition also comes with specific cure and prevention methods. This blog intends to break down the unknown factors of skin sagging. Those include the formation, treatment, and prevention methods of this particular skin concern.

The Possible Reasons for Sagging Skin You Need to Know

Several influencing factors can negatively impact the skin, further causing skin loosening. Although collagen and elastin reduction is considered to be one of the most common causes of skin loosening, there are other factors as well. Those are provided below:

1. Increased Age

When it comes to sagging skin around mouth or any other parts of the body, age is one of the primary factors responsible for this. Individuals who have crossed a specific age limit tend to lose two essential proteins, such as collagen and elastin.

Elastin is known to be effective for skin revival after the same gets stretched. On the other hand, collagen, which is produced by fibroblasts, makes the skin firm. Furthermore, prolonged sun exposure, various environmental stressors, nutritional deficiency, lifestyle changes, and alcohol consumption are the significant factors causing sagging skin among aged individuals.

2. Pregnancy

Pregnancy is also another factor that is considered to be responsible for developing sagging skin. Women who have given birth to twins or triplets tend to have more saggy skin than women who have given birth to one child. 

3. Significant Weight Loss

Weight loss is a common factor causing the formation of sagging skin. An individual with significant weight can experience damage to the collagen and elastin in the skin. As a result, the skin cannot revive and become firm immediately after a drastic weight loss, further leading to saggy skin formation. Additionally, the development of sagging skin is also visible among those who have had a rapid weight loss or bariatric surgery.

4. Certain Medical Conditions

Several medical conditions are considered to be crucial for the development of saggy skin. One of them includes a rare subtype called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, or popularly known as granulomatous slack skin. People suffering from this particular skin condition experience skin slackening in several parts of the body, such as the elbows and knees. Medical science has not been proven to be effective in treating a skin condition such as this one.

Possible Cures for Sagging Skin

People experience skin loosening due to the reduction of collagen and elasticity. But there are other factors contributing significantly to sagging skin, such as menopause, artificial tanning, UV rays, smoking, consumption of alcohol, and many more. So, read this section of the blog to have a clear understanding of its treatment methods:

1. Body Fitness or Exercise

Developing a healthy habit, such as body fitness or exercise, is an important way to retain the skin’s firmness. Additionally, endurance exercise is believed to be effective for retaining skin firmness, further lessening the skin changes in aged individuals. Actually, endurance exercises are known to be responsible for instigating interleukin-15 hormone, which can improve the metabolism of the tissue. Consequently, individuals following a specific endurance exercise can avoid sagging skin.

2. Consumption of Antioxidants

Antioxidants or antioxidative enzymes are known to be effective for decreasing skin sagging. Furthermore, it can also neutralize ROS or reactive oxygen species (responsible for activating pathways that can degrade the collagen), which can reduce wrinkles in the skin as well. So, it is advisable to include some of the key antioxidant supplements in your regular diet. Some of the antioxidant supplements include: vitamins A, C, E, D, zinc, selenium, EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate, and coenzyme Q10.

Most people can take enough antioxidant supplements. On the contrary, a lot of people prefer to use sagging skin cream containing various useful ingredients to experience skin firmness.

3. Massage

Massage is known to be one of the most common treatments for those experiencing sagging skin. It can improve the blood flow and is responsible for promoting fibroblasts (cells responsible for the development of collagen and elastin). Furthermore, massage can also increase mitochondrial development, which can contribute significantly to tissue and cellular metabolism.

Precautionary Methods to Prevent Sagging Skin

Any aging sign is considered to be a significant factor influencing skin sagging. So, it is advisable to develop a healthy exercise routine, get sufficient sleep, and do many other things. Nevertheless, you can follow a healthy skincare routine to prevent aging signs. So, here we are about to provide you with a skin care routine that can help prevent the formation of saggy skin:

1. Apply a Suitable Cleanser

A cleanser is believed to be an important skin care product responsible for blocking significant aging signs. It can significantly contribute to providing the user with moisture as it can open the clogged pores. All you need to do is apply a skin cleanser with low pH to erase the sweat and oil.

2. Use a Toner

Toners are considered effective for eliminating various skin-related problems. For example, it can revive the skin’s pH level, further eliminating any skin impurities, and making it firm and hydrated. As a result, it is an essential skin care product for preventing aging signs.

3. Consider Using a Skin Exfoliator

A skin exfoliator is also an amazing skin care product. Apart from providing the skin with the required hydration, it acts efficiently on skin cell generation. As a result, the users can enjoy glowing skin. 

Saggy skin is a common skin condition that is visible in aged individuals. Although it is a part of the natural life cycle, the formation of this skin condition can be delayed. So, you should consider understanding the causes, possible treatments, and prevention methods to have a clear idea regarding this skin concern and get a glowing and smooth skin.