Sagging skin on the body – tips for tightening body skin

Sagging skin is one of the most significant signs of aging. It is the result of a combination of internal and external factors such as hormonal changes, chronological aging and sudden weight loss. From the thighs, neck and even the eyelids – time, gravity and insufficient care take their toll. Loss of elasticity cannot be completely avoided, but with adequate care and timely action it can be mitigated. To maintain youthful contours for as long as possible and prevent loss of elasticity, we bring you tips on how to tighten your skin with care and treatments.

Why does skin lose elasticity?

Before we can restore the skin, we need to understand how and why the skin loses elasticity. Over the years, the transition between the upper and middle layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis) undergoes changes. This transition consists of small outgrowths – papillae. In the center of each papilla are blood vessels that supply the uppermost layer of the skin with all the necessary nutrients, oxygen and moisture. In younger and healthier skin, they are dense and deep, which gives the skin a smooth texture and thickness.

The number of papillae decreases with age and they themselves become shallower, which leads to a reduced efficiency of transferring nutrients and oxygen to the upper layers of the skin. The elasticity of the structure and flexibility are thus lost, and the skin is subject to the formation of wrinkles. Also, over time, the production of collagen and elastin, proteins that make the skin elastic, slows down in the body, which then further makes the skin more relaxed.

What are collagen and elastin?

Although the skin is made up of many substances, it mostly relies on the aforementioned collagen and elastin for its firmness. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and a substance that provides strength and firmness to tissues. It can be found in muscles, bones, tendons, and skin. It works in combination with elastin, a protein that keeps the skin taut and tight.

The amount of collagen and elastin in the skin depends on numerous factors, but as usual, some are crucial. For example – how long we have been overweight. In the case of sagging skin, time is certainly not our ally. Namely, when it comes to sagging skin resulting from weight loss or gain, the general rule is that if you react later, or if you have been overweight for a longer period of time, you will be more susceptible to sagging skin due to the loss of elastin and collagen.

Along with body weight, lifestyle, sun and stress, a factor that threatens tight skin is definitely smoking. If you want healthy and youthful skin, smoking will be one of your biggest enemies. It has a significant effect on accelerated skin aging, and the connection between smoking and accelerated aging has been pointed out since the last century. Numerous studies have been conducted that have confirmed this connection, and today we know that tobacco smoke has more than 1,000 ingredients (some say up to 4,000) that have a negative effect on the body, and therefore on the skin.
The exact mechanism by which nicotine ages the skin is not known, but it has been observed that it increases the activity of an enzyme (matrix metalloproteinase – MMP) that breaks down collagen. As a result, the skin loses its firmness and structure. Also, a smaller amount of water was recorded in the stratum corneum of the skin, in other words – the skin of smokers is dehydrated.

How to tighten skin?

If you are troubled by sagging skin on your face or body, you should definitely reach for quality cosmetics specially adapted to mature skin, and physical activity, especially stretching, will also help maintain tone. It would be ideal to do all of the above preventively, before the skin becomes significantly sagging.

However, if sagging skin on the face and body has already occurred, we recommend several treatments at our Polyclinic to successfully restore youthful skin firmness. Our top experts know how to tighten skin without surgery.

When it comes to loose body skin, the Adipologie treatment penetrates to the fat cells in a completely non-invasive way, with ultrasound action, and at the same time works on the development of collagen in the hypodermis. This treatment is ideal for all those who struggle with cellulite, fatty deposits and loose skin, as it simultaneously creates a rejuvenating effect – collagen continues to regenerate after the treatment.

The Venus Legacy treatment also helps tighten the skin, using radiofrequency to stimulate the deep layers of the skin to regenerate collagen and elastin. It is ideal for treating the neck, arms, back, hips and buttocks, and results are visible after just a few treatments.

The skin, enriched with new collagen, becomes firmer while elastin fibers make the skin smooth and elastic again.

Skin tightening creams

Skin tightening creams can also provide additional help in treating sagging skin.
By selecting and combining active ingredients and regularly applying creams, we significantly influence the course and progression of skin sagging.

Our recommendation for choosing a cream is definitely ZO Skin Firming Serum, which is also called ‘Facelifting in a bottle’. This serum visibly tightens the skin, helps define facial contours, protects against free radical damage and contributes to the natural skin preservation process.

When choosing a cream, sagging facial skin requires a different approach to care than body skin.

Although there is no cream that will give the face the same effect as a surgical facelift, in quality anti-aging products we can find ingredients that, with regular use, will really fill in wrinkles, tighten the upper layer of the skin and provide the impression of a gentle lift.

There are creams available on the market that, with their active ingredients, have a targeted effect on the causes of problems that have led to skin relaxation. Such cosmetics have a restorative and preventive effect on loss of elasticity, reduced volume or decline in collagen production. In them, we most often find active collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide and various herbal complexes with proven tightening effects.

What is the key to success?

Finally, it should be noted that the key to success is the combination of all the above factors.
In short – regular exercise and a balanced diet combined with proper care can completely transform your sagging skin!

Now that you’ve learned everything about sagging skin, you can start creating a detailed care plan, and if you’re thinking about undergoing treatments, now is the ideal time.

For more information, feel free to contact us and request an appointment for a free consultation by phone at 01/46 10 225 or by email at info@bagatin.hr