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.