Sagging skin is a common problem as people age. There are days when we miss our naturally smooth skin. While we cannot stop time, there are skin tightening treatments that can help us maintain healthy and radiant-looking skin.

What Causes Sagging of the Skin?

Saggy skin can occur on both the face and the body. It is mostly associated with loss of fat while the deterioration of collagen and elastin is another cause. 

Skin is stretchy by nature but when this characteristic deteriorates or is lost, it causes the skin to sag. Knowing the cause makes the problem easier to treat. 

Aging

As we age, our skin loses proteins like elastin and collagen that are responsible for maintaining the firmness of the skin. This process is further accelerated with prolonged exposure to UV rays, pollutants and the sun. 

Weight Loss

It might be quite depressing to battle sagging skin after you have achieved much progress with weight loss. But obesity can cause the skin to lose collagen and elastin which makes it hard to regain elasticity even after the extra weight is lost. 

Sagging of the skin is severe when the weight loss is rapid. The age at the time of weight loss is another factor that determines the severity of the sagging. 

Pregnancy

This is another common cause for skin sagging. Women tend to see some degree of sagging after pregnancy, especially near the abdominal region. 

Illness 

Some medical conditions like granulomatous slack skin can cause the skin to sag. The sagging is gradual and is noted near the elbows and knees. 

Treatments for Saggy Skin 

While there are many home remedies suggested, only a few provide noticeable results. Also, these treatments are practically useless in the face of severe sagging. 

Before deciding on the treatment for sagging, it is important to note two factors.

• The areas where the sagging is present
• The severity of sagging

If the sagging is minor, it can be managed with regular exercise, intake of supplements and lifestyle changes like applying sunscreen and more. But if the sagging is severe and cannot be controlled or treated by the above-mentioned methods, then you can opt for aesthetic treatments. 

Micro needling

This treatment involves using a roller or skin pen with tiny needles to prick the skin. While this might sound counter-effective to most people, this process triggers the production of collagen. These new collagen-rich tissues help get toned and textured skin. Apart from skin tightening, micro needling is also used to treat age spots and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Morpheus8 skin tightening is an effective treatment option for sagging skin and usually, four to six sessions are recommended (might vary according to the severity of the condition). It is best to consult with your dermatologist before deciding on the treatment. 

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy

Nicknamed as the vampire facial, this PRP therapy is gaining major attention now in the aesthetic medical field.

For this treatment, a sample of the patient’s blood is taken and the plasma and platelets are extracted from it. Then, the skincare professional uses microneedles to inject the platelet rich plasma (PRP) solution back into the skin of the patient.

The platelet rich plasma solution helps accelerate the production of collagen which in turn reduces wrinkles and fine lines.

PRP is a medical procedure and you need to find a professional skin rejuvenation clinic to get the procedure done safely.

Laser Treatment

If you are afraid of needles or if the above-mentioned treatment options simply don’t appeal to you, then laser treatment can be considered.

For this treatment, heat is concentrated in the targeted area of the skin with the use of a laser tool. Laser tightens the skin without leaving any scars. 

The results might take a couple of months to show and it also depends on the type of laser technology used.

Ultrasound Treatment 

This is a minimally invasive aesthetic treatment that uses ultrasound waves to induce skin tightening. With a help of a handheld device, heat is targeted onto the deeper layers of the skin which in turn induces collagen production.

Ultrasound skin tightening is usually recommended for tightening the skin near the brows, neck and chest area. This process can be done in about 30 to 90 minutes. 

Surgical Skin Tightening

If the sagging is severe and cannot be treated by the above methods, then surgical skin tightening might be recommended. This is an invasive procedure in which the excess skin is surgically removed. Since it can leave scars, people often opt to go with minimally invasive skin tightening procedures.

Rani MD

Sagging skin can greatly affect a person’s self-confidence. We can help you get rid of it.

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