Body Firming
How to Combat Aging of Body Skin that becomes Saggy?
Sagging, thinner skin, and the loss of skin elasticity are linked to advancing age, particularly hormonal decline and the cumulative effects of sun exposure.
The issue of sagging skin
Associated with aging, sagging skin is mainly due to the alteration of the skin structure, which is shrinking, especially with a shortage of elastic fibers, an alteration and reduction of collagen fibers, a decrease in microcirculation, and a decrease in sebum production.
We can stimulate collagen production at any age, but it is much more challenging to create new elastic fibers. In fact, the body will no longer produce elastin, which represents 90% of the elastic fibers of the dermis, after the age of 40, or even after growth, according to some authors. Subsequently, our elastin stock gradually decreases as we age, and our skin becomes thinner, losing its flexibility and elasticity.
Intense sun exposure strongly degrades these elastic fibers, increasing oxidation processes, especially when "sun rays" appear and cause skin inflammation.
How to Fight Skin Sagging?
To combat skin sagging, first and foremost, avoid anything that damages the elastic fibers of the skin: ultraviolet (UV), free radicals, and glycation.
Taking supplements of omega-3, essential fatty acids, is certainly a good idea because the modern diet often lacks omega-3. Omega-3 is useful for all our cell membranes. However, it does not specifically act against sagging skin but contributes to hydration and fights inflammation.
To maintain the elasticity of your skin as best as possible, you must take care not to lose essential nutrients, necessary for the production of collagen and connective tissue, especially vitamin C, vitamin A, silicon, essential amino acids, magnesium, etc. Moreover, most of them are antioxidants that limit damage from oxidation produced over time by free radicals, such as age-associated brown spots on the skin.
Glycation accelerates the loss of skin elasticity. It is linked, in particular, to the consumption of fast sugars or those with a high glycemic index. We know that carnosine protects the degradation of our proteins and, therefore, our elastin and collagen fibers. This seems more effective than omega-3. There are natural substances capable of limiting tissue glycation.
There are also techniques to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin.
Physical agents
• Radiofrequency,
• Electric currents,
• Ultrasounds,
• Lights, etc.,
Mechanical agents
• Micro-shocks
• Manual or mechanical massages
• Micropunctures
• Body brushing, etc.
They can slow down and even improve skin sagging. However, it will be more of a gain in firmness and thickness than in skin elasticity.
Hormone Levels
Another very important element: our hormonal terrain. In fact, our hormonal impregnation affects the quality of the skin, hair, and nails.
In particular, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, and thyroid hormones are important. The blood level of all these hormones decreases with age.
Anti-aging medicine strives to preserve these levels as best as possible, stimulating their production, sensitizing tissues to their functions, or providing additional hormones (preferably bio-identical).
How to Prevent Skin Sagging?
There is no miraculous technique against skin sagging. The effects vary according to individuals, age, and the degree of skin sagging, which should not be too advanced. It is better to act as soon as possible, preventing degradation and preserving its potential for elasticity.
Preventing Skin Aging
It is advisable to limit exposure to the sun and UV rays, especially intense or prolonged exposure. Other accelerators of skin aging include:
• Irritating products
• Oxidation
• Glycation (mainly due to excess sugars in the diet and overcooked foods)
• Toxins (drugs, alcohol, tobacco)
• Air pollution, etc.
Promote:
• Anti-glycation foods
• Antioxidants
• Dietary supplements
Do not miss out on essential nutrients.
Every day, we must provide essential nutrients to the body (vitamins C, A, E, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids).
Keep your hormone levels as good as possible. Good hormonal balance allows for the proper maintenance of skin constituents, promoting sebum production and hydration. This is even more evident in women after menopause when estrogen levels decline suddenly.
Take Care of Your Skin Against Sagging
Protecting your skin, nourishing and moisturizing it locally with creams or suitable oils should be a daily care. There are cutaneous stimulation techniques to promote the production of collagen and elastin (by fibroblasts). Choose the method that suits your case and is as natural as possible.
Methods:
• LED lights
• Manual or mechanical massages
• Micro-injections of nutritious mixtures for the skin (mesolift and microneedling)
• Intense pulsed light and non-ablative lasers, etc.
However, all these treatments will mainly produce collagen and little elastin after the age of 40. The firmness of the skin will be better, but not its flexibility and elasticity. Excessive use can make the skin thicker and harder due to excess collagen production.
Moderate Exercise, Beneficial for the Skin
At any age, physical exercise is always beneficial. It promotes hormonal levels in the bloodstream, increases their production, and improves tissue oxygenation. It also stimulates antioxidant defenses and immunity.