Many men and women suffer from sagging skin, particularly after the age of 50. Aside from the natural aging process, sagging skin can be caused by sun exposure and significant weight changes. While sagging skin is not a serious skin condition, it can make a person lose confidence.

Causes of sagging skin

Sagging skin can most easily be seen on the chin, throat, eyelids, abdomen, and arms. Sagging skin is most commonly caused by the natural aging process, but it can also occur in younger age groups due to lifestyle.

Some of the causes of sagging skin are:

The aging process
As we age, our skin loses two important proteins produced in the dermis: elastin and collagen. The decrease in elastin production reduces the skin's elasticity, making it difficult to return to its original shape after stretching. In addition to aging, other factors that contribute to collagen loss include pollution, UV exposure, and certain lifestyle choices, like binge drinking and eating poorly.

Weight loss
Overweight people can damage the collagen and elastin fibers in their skin if they carry excess weight for a long time. As a result, losing weight quickly causes the skin to sag and droop.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy can cause the skin to sag. Twin pregnancies cause the skin around the abdomen to sag more than single pregnancies. This condition is also affected by the age of the mother.

How to deal with sagging skin

Dealing with sagging skin varies depending on its severity. For a mild case of sagging skin, some treatments that can be done include:

Exercise
Pregnancy- or weight-loss-related sagging skin can be improved with exercise. Weight lifting, pilates, and facial exercises are some of the exercises that can help with sagging skin by building or tightening muscles.

Supplements
Taking supplements such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants can help improve sagging skin.

Using Retinol
Using retinol in the form of a cream, lotion, or serum can improve elasticity in the skin on the face and around the eyes. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe retinol. This type of retinol promotes increased collagen production and improves elasticity more than over-the-counter retinol.

Lifestyle changes
Maintaining fluid intake, quitting smoking, and always wearing sunscreen when outdoors can help with sagging skin and make it appear fresher.

As for moderate-to-severe cases of sagging skin, some treatments that can be done include:

Laser therapy
Laser therapy, including laser resurfacing, can help boost collagen production and improve skin tone. Laser therapy's results may not be visible until several treatments have been completed. Laser therapy can be applied to the face, abdomen, upper arms, and other parts of the body.

Liposuction
For cases of sagging skin that cannot be treated with the above therapies, you can have liposuction or body contouring performed by a doctor. Body contouring procedures such as tummy tucks, face lifts, and neck lifts produce significant results but have a longer recovery period than other types of therapy.

Sagging skin can occur due to age, pregnancy, or lifestyle. If you feel insecure because of sagging skin, see a doctor for the best treatment options. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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