What Can You Do to Improve Skin Elasticity?
When we think of skin aging, one of the first things that often comes to mind—in addition to lines and wrinkles—is skin sagging. It’s common for loose skin to develop around the eyes and on other areas such as the cheeks and around the jawline. The main cause of this reduced elasticity is a loss of collagen that occurs as we age. Weight loss fluctuations or pregnancy may also cause stretched skin because of damage to collagen and elastin fibers. Sun damage can also break down fibers that are important for providing structure and strength. The resulting loose skin can be frustrating and have a negative impact on self-esteem. Want to counteract sagging and obtain firmer, tighter-looking skin? Patients often come to our practice searching for options for skin tightening. Here’s what our Little Rock-based team recommends for enhancing skin quality without the need for invasive cosmetic surgery.
Use Retinols and Retinoids
Retinoids represent one of the most potent anti-aging ingredients available. Many over-the-counter products such as facial serums and creams contain these derivatives of vitamin A. These products encourage your skin to produce increased amounts of collagen, which can have a tightening effect.
Exercise
For certain areas of the body, such as the arms and legs, building muscle mass through regular exercise may be one of the best ways of making the skin look firmer. Even though exercise on its own won’t tighten skin, increased muscle can “fill in” the space below the skin. Exercise may be particularly effective if your loose skin occurred due to weight loss. Sometimes resistant fat below the skin may make it appear loose, so exercise can help you to shed this weight and make the skin appear tighter.
Skin-Tightening Procedures
Non-invasive skin tightening treatments may produce modest improvements for skin laxity. SkinTyte™ is an infrared-based procedure that delivers heat to provoke a healing response from the body and generate increased levels of collagen and elastin in targeted areas.
Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
Treatments such as chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, and microneedling encourage collagen production to improve the overall texture and tone of the skin. As collagen levels rise, skin can appear firmer, tighter, and smoother.
For more advice about treatments for skin tightening at Dermatology Group of Arkansas, contact us by calling 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422, or fill out a contact form online to arrange a consultation.
3 Spring Skin Care Suggestions
The old saying “March winds and April showers bring May flowers” reminds us of how spring is a time of renewal and hope. After a long, bitter winter, we have brighter and warmer weather to look forward to as the Earth brings forth its new life. When it comes to skincare, many people also look forward to shedding the dead skin that has built up throughout the winter (we recommend chemical exfoliation from our Little Rock team) and making their complexion look more vibrant as they get ready to wear more revealing clothes and enjoy more outdoor activities.
Keep in mind, however, that increases in temperature, humidity, and sun exposure will also bring about their own challenges.
Even though we might be more than ready to enjoy sunshine, our skin needs a longer time to adapt to seasonal changes. Some of the most common warmer-weather skin issues include acne breakouts, contact dermatitis from touching certain plants, grass and pollen allergies, eczema flare-ups, insect bites, dry skin, rough skin, and sunburn. One thing’s for certain: Even though you still need to be wearing SPF during the winter, proper sun protection is definitely more important during the shift.
Want to maintain healthy skin as the world wakes up? See below for some of our suggestions.
Exfoliate
Dry and flaky skin is a common issue during the winter, but it can still be a problem when your skin comes out of hibernation. In fact, your skin will probably be even more sensitive to weather changes now. Dry skin will be much more noticeable when we ditch the sweaters and scarves to expose more of our surface. Exfoliating during the dead of winter isn’t always advisable, but spring is the perfect time to start. Slough away winter skin with chemical peels for the face or use an exfoliating mitt in the shower for your body.
Manage Acne Breakouts
Use a cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients, and “spring clean” to get rid of any old beauty products that may have expired or developed bacterial colonies while lurking in your medicine cabinet for the past year.
Lighten Up on Moisturizers
Switch from heavier creams to lighter, gel-based moisturizers and cleansers that hydrate but won’t clog your pores or feel greasy.
Want more advice on seasonal skincare? Contact our team at the Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or fill out a contact form online to request a consultation.