Is your skin sagging? You’re not alone! Many people in Singapore experience this condition, particularly as they age. The good news is that various solutions are available, from lifestyle changes to skin tightening treatments.
Before you decide on the best way to reduce your sagging skin, it would be good for you to understand just how your skin loses its firmness. Let’s look at 3 main causes in this article.
Ageing
One of the main reasons for saggy skin is the decrease in collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin are the proteins responsible for maintaining the firmness and elasticity of your skin. However, as you age, your body produces less collagen and elastin.
Other skin conditions you might notice because of this loss in collagen and elastin are wrinkles, fine lines and large pores.
Weight loss
When you first gain weight, your skin stretches to accommodate the increased volume of fat cells. Over time, this stretching can lead to a loss of elasticity in your skin.
Once you lose weight, however, the fat cells shrink, and your skin may not be able to retract and tighten enough to reach its original state. As a result, your skin may appear loose, saggy, and lacking the firmness it once had.
The more rapid your weight loss is, the higher your chances are of having saggy skin.
Pregnancy
While pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation for many women, it is also a period full of hormonal changes that affect your skin. The increased levels of oestrogen and progesterone can cause your skin to become more relaxed and stretchy to accommodate your growing baby.
As your baby grows, the abdominal muscles stretch to make room for your expanding uterus. After childbirth, these stretched muscles may not fully retract, leading to weakened abdominal muscles and sagging skin in your abdominal area.
How to reduce minor sagging
If you find that your skin sagging is not too drastic, you can opt to tighten your skin by making some lifestyle changes.
Exercise
When you exercise regularly, you tone and strengthen the muscles underneath your skin. This increased muscle tone can provide a supportive framework for your skin, minimising the appearance of sagging. You can try facial exercises, yoga, and pilates.
Want something more intense? Try cardiovascular exercises such as running and jogging. The increased blood flow from these exercises delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to your skin cells, promoting cell renewal and collagen production.
Supplements
Several supplements, including collagen, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid supplements, can benefit your skin health. These supplements promote skin firmness, elasticity and hydration, while minimising inflammation. All of these benefits can help reduce skin sagging.
Topical treatments
Retinoids, peptides, moisturisers, and sunscreen are common topical treatments that reduce sagging skin. Retinoids stimulate collagen production and promote skin cell turnover.Peptides improve skin elasticity and firmness. Moisturisers replenish your skin’s natural moisture barrier. And sunscreens protect your skin from UV damage.
Treatment options for significant sagging
Have you tried exercise and off-the-counter solutions but not seen satisfying results? It could be that your skin sagging is pronounced and requires professional treatment. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go under the knife, though. There are non-invasive skin tightening procedures you can try, like the ones listed below.
Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers can effectively reduce the appearance of sagging skin and restore lost volume. They are typically made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in your body that helps maintain your skin’s hydration and plumpness.
When injected into your skin, dermal fillers can help to lift and smooth sagging areas, such as your cheeks and jawline. They work by replenishing lost volume, stimulating collagen production, and improving skin elasticity.
Laser
Laser treatments for sagging skin work by using concentrated light energy to target the deeper layers of your skin. The heat generated by the laser stimulates collagen production, tightening and toning your skin. The end result is a more youthful and lifted appearance.
Laser treatments have little to no downtime, so you can resume your daily activities shortly after the procedure.
Body firming
Body firming treatments, such as radiofrequency and ultrasound therapy, can help reduce sagging skin by stimulating collagen production. Radiofrequency (RF) therapy uses energy waves to heat the deeper layers of your skin, while ultrasound therapy uses ultrasound waves to penetrate your skin. These non-invasive skin tightening treatments also require little downtime.
Looking for skin tightening treatments in Singapore?
While sagging skin is usually a sign of ageing, it can also be caused by other factors like rapid weight loss and pregnancy. You may feel the need to take back control of your body. And that’s where professional treatment can help, especially if you’ve tried various solutions and found them wanting.
You may also want to know which treatment suits you best. At Dr Jon Yong Aesthetic Clinic, our doctors will assess your skin condition before creating a personalised treatment plan. We believe in identifying the right solution for each individual. Contact us today!