Sagging skin is a common sign of aging that many people want to combat. As we get older, our skin loses elasticity and collagen, causing it to lose its youthful firmness and creating sagging, wrinkled, or loose skin. While sagging skin is inevitable as we age, there are many ways to slow down the process and even tighten loose skin to a certain degree. With the right lifestyle changes and treatments, it is possible to improve sagging skin and achieve a more youthful, toned appearance.
What causes sagging skin?
There are several factors that cause sagging skin as we get older:
Loss of collagen
Collagen is a protein that provides structure and flexibility to the skin. As we age, collagen production slows down, causing the skin to lose its firmness and elasticity. By the age of 60, most people have lost about 30% of their collagen.
Loss of elastin
Elastin fibers allow the skin to snap back into place after stretching or contracting. With age, these fibers become weaker and break down more easily, causing the skin to sag.
Loss of facial volume
As we get older, we naturally lose some of the fat and tissue that provides fullness to the face. This loss of volume leads to sagging skin and wrinkles.
Thinning epidermis
The outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) starts to thin out with age. This causes the skin to become weaker and less able to retain moisture. Dry, fragile skin is more prone to wrinkling and sagging.
Sun exposure
UV radiation from the sun breaks down collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. This photoaging causes the skin to loosen and sag earlier than it would otherwise.
Gravity
Over time, the pull of gravity simply causes the skin to droop downwards. Areas like the jowls, neck, and upper arms are especially vulnerable to sagging from gravity.
When does skin start to sag?
For most people, the first signs of sagging skin appear in the late 30s or early 40s. However, when sagging becomes more pronounced varies between individuals based on factors like genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle habits.
Here is a general timeline for when sagging skin can start to occur:
Late 30s
– Fine lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead begin to deepen.
– Skin begins losing collagen and elasticity.
– Early jowling and nasolabial folds become noticeable.
40s
– Loss of facial volume leads to cheek descent.
– Jowls become more pronounced.
– Neck skin may start losing firmness.
50s
– Sagging and wrinkling accelerates.
– Jowls and nasolabial folds droop more noticeably.
– Vertical lines appear on the neck.
– Eyelids may start drooping.
60s+
– Sagging skin continues to worsen without intervention.
– Jowls lengthen, the neck sags more, and the eyelids appear very droopy.
– Deep wrinkles form everywhere from the neck to the chest area.
While sagging skin worsens with age, starting preventative care in your 30s and 40s can help delay the process.
Can sagging skin ever be tight and firm again?
It is possible to improve sagging skin and achieve a firmer, more youthful appearance. However, sagging skin cannot usually be restored to the tightness experienced in one’s youth.
Non-invasive treatments
There are a number of non-surgical treatments that can noticeably lift, tighten, and tone sagging skin:
Energy-based treatments: These use radiofrequency, ultrasound, or laser technology to heat the deeper layers of the skin and stimulate new collagen production. Results can last 1-2 years.
– Ultherapy
– Thermage
– Titan skin tightening
– Fraxel laser resurfacing
Injectables: Injectables like dermal fillers and botox can provide temporary lifting of sagging skin. Results last 4-6 months.
Topical products: Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) and peptides in creams can modestly improve elasticity and firmness over time. Their effects are gradual compared to professional treatments.
Surgical procedures
For more dramatic tightening and lifting of sagging skin, surgical options like facelifts, neck lifts, and eyelid surgery work by physically removing excess, drooping skin. Surgical results are longer-lasting, from 5-10 years, but require a recovery period. Potential procedures include:
– Facelift and neck lift
– Brow lift
– Lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
– Body lift procedures after major weight loss
Natural remedies
While less dramatic than medical treatments, using natural ingredients may gradually improve skin’s tone and elasticity. Methods include:
– Aloe vera – hydrates and plumps skin
– Coconut, almond, or olive oil massages – moisturizes and stimulates circulation
– Egg white facial masks – tightens skin
– Sleeping on your back – prevents gravity from dragging facial skin downwards
Lifestyle approaches to prevent sagging skin
Making certain lifestyle adjustments can slow down and minimize sagging as you age:
Sun protection:
Wear sunscreen daily and protective clothing to prevent further UV damage to skin. UV rays accelerate aging.
Don’t smoke:
Smoking thins the skin and depletes collagen. This leads to wrinkles and sagging forming earlier.
Healthy diet:
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Nutrients like vitamin C and omega-3s support collagen production and healthy skin.
Stay hydrated:
Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to keep skin supple and prevent wrinkling.
Moisturize daily:
Use thick, emollient creams and serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to soften and plump up skin.
Gentle skin care:
Cleanse gently, don’t scrub, and avoid harsh products that dry out the skin.
Manage stress:
Chronic stress can accelerate aging, wrinkles, and sagging via release of cortisol. Practice relaxation techniques.
Exercise and sleep:
Aim for 30 minutes of activity daily plus 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Exercise and sleep deprivation both degrade collagen.
How to determine if you have sagging skin:
Check whether you have sagging skin on the following areas:
Face
– Jowls – Sagging and loose skin along the jawline and lower cheeks. Can start to droop down towards the chin.
– Neck – Vertical creases and loose, hanging skin under the chin and along the neck. You may be able to pinch an inch or more of skin.
– Nasolabial folds – Deep lines extending from the corners of the nose down towards the mouth. Sagging skin creates loose folds.
Eyelids
– Upper lids appear hooded and droopy.
– Excess skin hangs over the crease of the upper lid.
– Under eye area looks hollow and sunken in.
Body
– Loose, hanging skin anywhere on the body that you can pinch and lift up. Typically the underside of arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, inner thighs, or knees.
– Cellulite has a sagging, rippled appearance.
Treatments for sagging skin on different body parts
The best treatments for sagging skin depend on the location:
Face and neck
Non-invasive: Ultherapy, Thermage, Fractional laser, dermal fillers
Surgical: Facelift, neck lift, mid-face lift, brow lift
Eyelids
Non-invasive: Ultherapy, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing
Surgical: Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
Jowls
Non-invasive: Ultherapy, Thermage, dermal fillers
Surgical: Mini face lift, jawline/jowl lift, fat transfer
Upper arms
Non-invasive: Ultherapy, Thermage, tricep tightening
Surgical: Brachioplasty (arm lift surgery)
Abdomen
Non-invasive: Thermage, truSculpt body contouring
Surgical: Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), lower body lift
Inner Thighs
Non-invasive: truSculpt flex muscle sculpting, radiofrequency skin tightening
Surgical: Thigh lift
Knees
Non-invasive: Ultrasound skin tightening, laser skin resurfacing
Surgical: Knee lift surgery
Home remedies to lift sagging skin
While dramatic results will require medical treatments, you can use these home remedies to mildly improve sagging skin:
Egg whites
– Whip egg whites into a foam and apply on clean skin.
– Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.
– The protein albumin temporarily tightens skin.
Yogurt and lemon juice
– Combine plain yogurt and lemon juice.
– Apply to face and neck and leave for 20 minutes.
– Lactic acid in yogurt and vitamin C in lemons boost collagen production.
Aloe vera
– Harvest gel from an aloe leaf.
– Rub into skin and allow to penetrate for 30 minutes before rinsing.
– Aloe vera’s antioxidants and vitamins nourish skin.
Cold compress
– Wrap an ice pack in a towel and press against sagging skin for 5-10 minutes.
– The cold constricts blood vessels to temporarily tighten skin.
Facial massage
– Massage face skin daily using upward strokes.
– Massage boosts blood circulation and collagen production in the skin.
Risks and side effects of sagging skin treatments
Sagging skin treatments carry potential risks and side effects:
Energy-based treatments
– Redness, swelling
– Discomfort/pain during treatment
– Rare risks like burns and scarring
Injectables
– Bruising, redness at injection site
– Headache or flu-like illness for 1-2 days
– Risk of uneven results or drooping if over-injected
Surgery
– Pain, bruising and swelling during recovery
– Visible scarring
– Numbness or nerve damage
– Risk of infection and complications from anesthesia
– Skin necrosis (death of skin tissue) if surgical error
Topical products
– Irritation, redness, peeling, rash from retinoids
– Clogged pores, acne breakouts
Discuss risks fully with your dermatologist before any procedure.
Takeaway
– Sagging skin worsens from our 30s onward as we lose collagen, elastin and volume in the face and body.
– Non-invasive procedures can provide mild to moderate improvement in sagging. Surgery is more dramatic.
– Natural remedies and lifestyle changes help to a smaller degree.
– Completely reversing sagging skin to the tautness of youth is not possible, but improvement is achievable.
– Choose proven treatments administered by reputable derms and plastic surgeons.
– Sagging skin treatments have risks, so educate yourself fully beforehand.