Skin Firmness and Aging

There are several reasons why skin may sag as the years pass. One reason is the gradual loss of collagen, which is the most abundant protein in the body. Besides supporting bones, joints, and tendons, collagen provides structure to the dermis or the thickest layer of the skin. As we get older, the body naturally loses collagen and another protein called elastin, which is responsible for keeping the skin firm and tight. 

The loss of volume in the face could also affect the firmness of your skin. Whether due to weight loss or the natural process of aging, when volume is lost and there isn’t a filler to replace it, the result is sagging skin. Sun exposure also affects skin elasticity as sun damage can break down the elastin in our skin over time, which is why wearing medical grade spf daily is so important. Pollution and exposure to free radicals can also cause a rapid deterioration of collagen and elastin in your skin.

How To Prevent Skin Sagging (or at least slow the process!)

Anti-Aging Diet and Supplements

Your diet can affect how rapidly you lose collagen which can, in turn, reduce the firmness of your skin. A diet rich in antioxidants will always be beneficial to your body and will show through your skin as well. You can also take dietary supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, as well as polypodium leucotomos which is a fern that studies show can help reduce free radicals in the skin from sun damage.  Nutrafol contains hydrolyzed marine collagen that promotes the diffusion of nutrients in the scalp and rebuilds the structural integrity of the hair follicle environment. Supplementing with a good quality collagen on a regular basis may help to improve your hair, skin and nail texture over time.

Sun Protection

“Prevention is better than cure,” as the saying goes. It is never too late to start wearing SPF daily. Rain or shine, wind or snow, wear your SPF, and that’s no exaggeration. Whether you’re melanated or fair-skinned, SPF will protect you from free radicals and skin cancer, as well as premature aging . 

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends wearing at least SPF 30 when you’re just going about your day-to-day activities, and at least SPF 50 when you’re doing any sort of outdoor activity. Revision Skincare’s Intellishade® contains broad-spectrum SPF 45 and contains a blend of peptides, botanical extracts, and antioxidants to help give the appearance of firm and lifted skin all while protecting you from sun damage. 

How To Firm Sagging Skin

Before committing the time and money for surgical procedures like facelifts, eyelid surgery, or neck lifts, you can opt for less invasive treatments that still provide you with results, albeit with a bit more commitment than a one-time appointment. 

Skin-Firming Creams and Lotions 

Skin-firming creams and lotions provide subtle skin tightening benefits that can be more noticeable over time and with continuous use. Skincare with peptides and antioxidants may help with the appearance of rough and crepey skin and smooth the appearance of fine lines.

When applying these products on the face, don’t forget to bring them down to the neck and décolletsge area as the skin in these areas also show signs of aging very visibly. Better yet, have a dedicated product that specifically targets the signs of aging on the neck like Revision Skincare’s Nectifirm® Advanced which has Microbiome technology as well as eight distinctive peptides that help bring youth back into the skin. Other products we recommend for skin firming include the DEJ Eye Cream, and Bodifirm skin firming lotion for below the neck. In clinical studies, all of these products performed beautifully!

Non-Invasive Skin Tightening Procedures

If you want your skin firmness addressed by a professional but don’t want to deal with the downtime, non-invasive treatments are perfect for you. While they can leave you with a bit of redness and swelling, it is quick to disappear and they do not leave puncture wounds, incisions, or raw skin after your procedure. They are also safe for people of all fitzpatrick levels and can be done in just about anywhere on your body that needs a bit of rejuvenation.

A skin tightening treatment like the Sublime Skin Tightening procedure provides a tighter and more youthful appearance to the skin. It does this by creating deep dermal heating to immediately contract collagen fibers to give you that firmer-looking skin. A CooLifting facial is also a great treatment that provides lifted skin and eliminates superficial wrinkles. By shooting up a strong CO2 flow on the facial tissues at a low temperature, you’re left with smooth and illuminated skin in as fast as five minutes. 

Minimally Invasive Skin Tightening Procedures

These treatments require a bit of downtime after they are performed but it still carries fewer risks than surgical procedures. And while you may need to wait a few days for your skin to heal, the effect of these procedures may last longer. 

The Vivace® Microneedle RF device is the newest generation of radiofrequency microneedling and is FDA-cleared. This minimally-invasive treatment stimulates the natural production of collagen and is shown to be effective in alleviating facial wrinkles, fine lines, and tightening and toning the face and neck. As you can see the Vivace Microneedling RF has multiple benefits, including skin tightening. The best part about this procedure is that there is virtually no downtime, and the treatment itself is very comfortable. 

The ultimate trifecta of non-invasive skin tightening procedures is doing a combination of IPL Skin Rejuvenation, Sublime Skin Tightening, and Sublative RF in a series to address pigmentation, tone, texture, and tightening. This is a wonderful treatment to do in the Fall. 

Prior to any treatment, it is important to complete a consultation with an experienced provider to determine that you are an appropriate candidate. 

Personalized Skincare

No matter what procedure you choose to achieve firmer skin, it is important to maintain the health of your skin daily. Continue to eat a healthy diet, get regular movement, and be sure to stay hydrated. It’s also important to have the right daily skincare routine for your skin type and goals. Consistent use of medical grade skincare will greatly benefit the appearance of your skin and protect any investment that you have made in treatments.

Blog contributor